The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-01-03

possible TODD so. The representatives
of the Cooperative Co. were not will
ing to state what they wanted, most
of them said they did not know what
they wanted and fully two hours
pas sed away before we could even
get them to say that it wOnld be pos
sible for us to make any proposition
that would be acceptable to them.
They would not say they were will
ing to compromise upon any terms.
Finally they stated that if we would
make them a proposition they would
submit it to their stockholders and
that such proposition would receive
fair consideration; and further stated
that they could not pass upon it as
they had no authority to act. Ac-
cordIngly on the next day after the
conference we submitted a comprOm-
Use proposition and day or two later
they submitted to us another prOpO-
sition.
At the time the Co Operative Co.
submitted its proposition, however,
their representative stated that it
was not satisfactory even to his own
company and it was subject to amend
ment. Therefore the Allen County
Gas Co. made an amended PROPOSE
ton by which it made still further
concessions This was submitted
and in a few days the answer was
returned that the managers of the Co
Operative Co. would not even sub I it
it to the stockholders of that company.
Was this fair either to us or to their
stockholders?
In the face of their assertion that
they had no authority to act, they
have acted. If they had no power to
accept a proposition what power had
they to reject one? Were they afraid
of the action of their own stOckbold-
ers? Did they finally ascertain that
it was not cheap gas they were after?
Or were they offended because our
proposition was made to apply to all
the people instead of to the members
of the Cooperative Company only, as
one of its officers suggested we should
make it? The proposition made is
| too long to be published at this time,
but it can be seen at the office of the
company by all who are interested in
the matter.
From what has been said it is ap-
parent that it is not the Allen County
Gas Co. that is standing in the way
of cheaper gas for all the people. be
lieve this company has conceded all
any fair minded man can ask at this
time. If the Cooperative company
has conceded anything l have not
been advised of that fact. Our propo-
sitiOn was made in good faith and
with an earnest desire to end the I'M
necessary quarrel. 1t required sac
ritice of both money and pride, but
we were willing to make the sacrifice
in the interest of friendship and to
promote the welfare of the city. In
stead of meeting US in the same spirit,
our advances have been scorned, and
our rights have been ignored, and
more broken promises have been add
ed to the list. They have assumed
that all our offers of settlement were
made through fear and they will con-
tinue to assume it until the taX-pay-
ers of lola call them to account. /
believe the great majority of the
members of the Cooperative Co. are
fair men and will cOncede that ali of
them are honest men. 1t seems how
ever, chat in that organization the
minority rules. Shall it rule the city
too? The question now arises, what
are we going to de about all this?
The answer is; we shall do that which
every other man in lola would do un-
der the same circumstances. No one
can object TO this. We shall ask
nothing wrong. We shall insist upon
what is right, and we have faith
enough in the fairness and justice of
the people to believe that we shall re-.
eeive their support.
G. f. BENTON.