The record-union., 1896-12-01

is there anything in said ordinance
which would compel the said company
to lay down any pipes or mains at all
within the five years mentioned therein
as the time during which it Is to charge
but 81 so for each 1000 cubic feet of
gas, or at any other time; nor is there
anything in said proposed ordinance
which would subject said company to a
penalty of any kind in case Of failure
upon its part to carry out the objects of
said franchise.
While 1T is true that Section 200 of the
charter invalidateS any franchise un-
less work is actually commenced within
six months thereafter, and, to that ex-
tent, protects the city under a grant
similar to this, yet I believe the ordi-
nance itself should contain such re-
strictions on the company and impose
such conditions as to render all dis
pute a question in the future imposSi-
bic. I believe it is better, in the grant
of the power, to set forth particularly
the conditions of the work, when it
should be commenced, when completed,
how much should be completed within
, certain periods and should limit the
time within which the company should
actually furnish gas as desired by our
people, and any other restrictions in re-
lation to the capital of the company, it's
maintenance, operation, etc, which oc-
cur to us all in considering the interests
of the city. The ordinance, as it now
stands, contains a simple grant without
any restrictions whatever.
FOurth-I have not been able to learn
who compose the above-named COM
pany, but, without attempting to cast
any asperSion upon its motives, it
seems as though this franchise is sought
Tor the purpose of obtaining the right
to do what the said proposed ordinance
permits to be done, but without any
obligation upon its part to comply with
the terms which it is apparently in
cumbent upon it to perform, and thus
enable it to keep out other competitors,
or to sell out it's right for a handsome
ngure. Speculation in municipal fran
chises should not be tolerated, and no
franchise should be granted unless it
pears at least some of the earmarks of
good faith. Respectfully submitted,
c. H. HUBBARD, Mayor.
Devine said the message was a good,
sensible, business one, and he moved
the veto be sustained.
William NJ. Gwynne, Jr., spoke for
the company, in answer to the objec-
tlons Of the Mayor. He said that no
other corporation with a franchise was
required to pay portion Of the gross
receipts to the city, except one or two
docks by the street car company. 1t
was an unjust discrimination against
new industries and would drive away
competition and investment The con-
dltions here are different from Euro
pean cities, who do not need develop
ment as we do.
Devine said he believed the city
should have reasonable compensation
for the use Of it's streets. A well-known
citizen who obtained franchise here
said it was jay town to give it to
him without compensation.
Elr. Gwynne said the company had
drawn it's franchise in accordance with
the demands Of the board, but the lat
ter had made no such conditions as
the Mayor now asked for.
Bentley thought Devine was not con-
sistent, as earlier in the evening he had
said he wanted competition and was
willing to let part of the city go with
out lighting for months in order to get
it. While agreeing with the Mayor in
some things, he was opposed to asking
the company to give up a portion Of its
earnings, which would compel it to
charge more to gas consumers
Devine thought that the people who
have paid out thousands Of dollars on
the streets should receive some return
from those who wish to use them
Mr.. Gwynne said the company did
not wish to furnish gas to the city for
81 30 a thousand and pay 3 per cent.
on the gross receipts to the city
Kent said the message was like that
of the Mayor of Syracuse, n. Y, but
this city's conditions are different from
those of Syracuse. We invite people
TO come here and help build up our city.
He would like to have the matter laid
over for a week, and so moved.
The motion was carried.