The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-30
new GAS COMPANY
NOT IMPROBABLE
It is Hilted That Application Will Be
Made For a Franchise.
TO USE COKE OVEN PRODUCT
Gas Company GIVES People to Understand
Case Will Be Carried to Courts.
THIS ALL MAY Be A HUGE BLUFF
COL Altnan's Move For Municipal Ownership
May Solve the Problem - Committee
Will Get Down 10 Work Early
in the New Year.
THIS ALL MAY Be A HUGE BLUFF

1t is being limited in certain circles that
new gas company will shortly apply to the
city council for a franchise to lay mains in
the streets and supply the citizens of Br-
mingham with gas.
1t is even intimateG that such applica-
ton will be made at the first meeting held
in the new year. At this meeting City At
torney Lowe will also submit his report en-
bodying the steps to be taken to abrogate
the franchise and contract of the old COM
pany
For days very little has been said on the
question by the officials of the gas com
pany. At the meeting of the city council
Tuesday night there was only one member
of the company present. He came probably
expecting to hear Attorney LOVES report,
but this is not to be heard until regular
meeting.
1t is understood that thoroughly capable
business men are at the head of the new
gas company. Men who recognize that gas
can be furnished at 81 per thousand feet
and that at good profit. What bearing
a proposition from the old company to fur
nish Illumination at cheaper rate win
have on the further investigation of the
new company is not known. So far the Of
ficia's and the attorney of the old COM
pany have given questoners to understand
that the case would be carried into the
courts and the city made to defend its
right to forfeit all contracts and fran
chises.
May BE Huge Bluff.
That the city has an excellent case is
admitted by the leading legal authorities.
1t has been clearly proven that the gas
hoe
yers say that continued and persistent
violation warrants a forfeiture. The gas
company may be sparring for time The
case can possibly be kept in the courts for
several years. There are many who think
that the gas company is working a huge
bluff, while it is gaining time to recover
from the shock and prepare proposition
Those who are of this opinion look for
q proposition for compromise at the next
council meeting. In the meantime, it is
said that the application for a franchise
has already been drawn up by the new
company.
1t is believed that the only compromise
that will be accepted by the council is
dollar gas and at least an effort on the
part of the old company to furnish bet
ter source of illumination. 1t has not been
but few nights since the gas supply on
Twentieth street was very bad Some very
warm telephone messages were sent to
the company's office on this occasion.
Coke Oven Product.
1t is thought that the new company will
use coke oven product, and the plant will
be in conjunction with another in North
Birmingham. Experts say that a good IL
Illuminating power can be cheaply obtained
from such source.
1t is generally believed that the gas ques-
ton has reached the stege where the old
company will be forced to furnish gas at
reasonable rate and abide by q new con-
tract that might be made, Oh else be dis
placed by new one.
1t is also possible that the scheme for
municipal ownership inaugurated in Bir-
mngham by Alderman ]. j. Altman may
have some bearing On the future of any
gas company. According to Col Altman.
this may be solution of the problem.
By the resolution offered by Col. Altman
and adopted by the council steps will be
taken for municipal ownership of an
electric light plant. Col. Altman thinks
that by this means electric lights would
be so cheap that a gas company would
have hard struggle for existence
The committee appointed under Col. Alt
mans resolution will get to work early in
the new year. 1t will probably require
several months to get together the facts
and statistics sufficient to make a report.