The age-herald., 1897-12-02
GAS COMMITTEE :. SEEKS THE TRUTH To Acquire Valuable Information It
 Makes Haste Slowly. FIGHT GOES MERELY ON While Both Public Enthusiasm and Con- iid0nCO Are Hourly on the Increase. FIGHT IN COURTS NOT EXPECTED As it is Not Believed the Gas Company Will Carry Its Bluff That Far-Mr. New
 man Has Not Yet Arrived
 in the City.
FIGHT IN COURTS NOT ExPECTEE

The fight for dollar gas goes merrily on.
 The people grow more enthusiastic each day in their demands for dollar gas.
 MT. Newman, who owns the great bulk of the gas stock, has been expected here this week. He has not yet arrived. It seems that the officers of the company here can do nothing unless he orders it.
 Chairman Moore, of the special inves- tigatfng committee of the board of al- dermen, is waiting for reports from other cities as to the prices of gas. He expects to call the committee together in a few days and take action.
 Some of he members Of the commit tee seem to be in doubt as to what pow CTS they have. Some of them seem to be afraid that if they annul this contract they cannot make better one with the gas company. Other members of the committee say that such talk as this is perfect bosh. One member said last night that in his opinion the thing to do was to annul the contract with tine pres ent gas company, and proceed to make a new one with this or some other con- pany. This company being @ quasi-pub- lie corporation, the city has right to regulate the rate 1t shall charge. It might be necessary, he said, if the gas company should take the matter into the courts, to have the legislature act upon the ma alter, but he doesn't believe the gas company would go that far, as everyone recognizes the right of the legislature to regulate such matters as the prices charged for gas.
 It seems that all sorts of pressure is being exerted to prevent the board of aldermen from taking decided action in this matter of gas. It is not believed, however, that the members of the board can be driven from their duty by either pressure or persuasion.
 Every member of the committee is imbued with a keen sense of the moral obligations they owe thefr constituents. They recognize the people are in the fight and their demands shall be needed.
 The invest. gation will be thorough and complete in every detall Snap Judgment will not be taken. On this account Chairman Moore, of the spe- clal Investigating commi ttee, requested ard was granted a further extension of time
 Wherever men gather they discuss the gas question. The victory of the people is the al1-absorblng topic
 A RUDE AWAKENING.
 "Never before in dhe history of iBir- mfngham," said prominent gentleman yesterday, "has the general public been so rudely awakened. The enormity of the virtual robbery was not even dream ed of, though for years it has been con- tnued.
 "The people are aroused now and are angry to think how easily they allowed themselves to be duped. The fight will be to a finish and dollar gas will be the result
 of the special committee does its duty, and its personnel is guarantee that it will, the gas company will be dreadfully bealtenl The facts are against it. MT. Rodens admission was the solar p'exus' blow that lost the fight and assured cheaper gas"
 Many similar expressions are heard on every side, which indicates the deter riinatlon of the people to have justice done them.
 WANT GAS TO BURN.
 What is needed here," said a promi- nent attorney, lis not only dollar gas, but gas that will burn. The present article is a failure ln more respects than one and could hardly be more worthless.
 Among the Innovations arising from the fight for cheaper gas is one that will survive forever. It is the meter habb.,' a very bad habit to acquire, but appar- ently the ruling habit in certain quar- ters."