Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-06
ALL DOLLAR MEN.
Not n Single Advocate of Fifty or Sew
enty-Hve Cent Gas Appeared at
the Committee Hearing,


Not a single champion of 5O-cent gas ap-
peared before the upper house gas commit
tee yesterday afternoon at the hearing of
the gas consolidation ordinance, and not
even the petition for 75-cent gas, which, as
stated in the Journal, is in circulation, was
presented. The committee room of the city
clerl: was crowded with persons anxious to
listen to the hearing. Nearly every mem
ber of the council was present, and, in ad-
dition, there were President r. NJ. SNYDER
of the Missouri Gas Company: ]. c. James,
J. r Richards. General Milton Moore, j.
N. Lowe, Manager j. 7. Stockham of the
Midland hotel, Hugh j. MCGOWAN. Colonel
j. Ii. Hunt. eX-Councilman ]. w. kidWell
Superintendent NJ. NJ. Sweetman of the
Missouri Gas Company. President NJ. V.
Watson of the Commercial Club, c. L.
Small, attorney for the Kansas City Gas
Company, and large number of citizens.
Mr. Small did not appear before the COM
m;ttee. He stated before the hearing that
his company was not opposing the consoli-
oation.
Short arguments were made by Mr. Sny-
der General Moore Messrs. Richards, Wat
son, Stockham, Hunt, Lowe and others. All
were in favor of the ordinance, and at the
conclusion of the hearing the committee
substitute ordinance, embodying amend
ments by the city counselor. These amend
ments provide that the new company shall
both equip and maintain the inspection de-
partment; that both companies shall pay
up to the date of the consolidation, all sums
due the city by reason of the per cent
on the gross receipts clause, SO that the
new company shall start clear; the two
companies shall give notice to the city
clerk Of the proposed conveyance of the
two plants to the new company. and an in
ventory of all property of both companies
shall De filed with the city clerk.
j. c. James made the first argument to
the committee, which consists of Aldermen
Wyne, Eyssell and Jewell. Mr.. James saio
that everybody with whom he had talked
who were at first opposed to consolidation
favored it when il was explained. He said
that only 400 of the 5000 people who had
sal-.
had carried out their agreement and this
number was on the decrease. There was a
gas war, but no gas composition; The new
company had expended over $l,2j0.000, and
the books were open to all who wanted To
see how the money had been spent. He
thought IL only fair that the company
should be protected in its investment.
General Milton Moore said that as a citi-
zen he was in favor Of the ordinance. The
people OF this city had demanded dollar
gas, and the new company had brought it
about. How long the present contest would
go on he could not say. but 1t was certain
that it could not go on indefinitely, and in
the end the new company must go to the
wall, and then there would be no more 30
cent gas. He saw no reason to oppose the
Mr.. ]. NJ Lowe said that the new COM
pany had invested $l,250OO0 in its plant: it
had expended S300. 900 within the specified
time and had directly and indirectly caused
the expenditure OF S2,O0O,OOO. The antag-
nigh impossible for the new company to do
business. and one-fourth of those who sub
Ecribed for the new companys gas have
failed TO carry out their agreement.
President Watson, of the Commercial
Club. was cordially in favor of the consoli-
dation.
President Snyder said. in answer to a
question, that the new ordinance did not
differ from the old except in particulars
which were to the benefit of the city. I'm
der the new ordinance the company must
pay the salaries of the gas inspectors and
not charge for meters. Mr.. Snyder said he
had only been able to raise the bonds for
tl,. works on the strength of representa-
iicnS made by people of the city. The COM
nitiees of the council who had had the
original ordinance in hand had understood
10 acquire the old company's works, and
the old company was expressly forbidden
10 sell without the city's consent.
EX-Mayor r. II. Hunt was vigorous in
scoring those who had failed to keep their
agreement with the new company.
These gentlemen" he said. invested
their money and gave the people of this
city dollar gas, what they had been de-
went back on their agreements. and il
had the power ] would make them live up
10 their contracts. The council should do
only what is just and right, and believe
it should pass this ordinance. l would vote
for IL If l was in the council
Mr. J. F. Richards said that the new
cou1rany had made its investments on the
faith of the individuals of the city, who
thought the city should protect the invest
Manager Stockham. of the Midland hotel
said it would he blow to the city's repu-
tatgon If the new company had 10 default
- EX-City Counselor T. F. Rozzelle argued
briefly for the ordinance. EX-Councilman
j w IIidwell made a similar argument,
cxecutive session. and then made the re-
port outlined above.