The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-02-11
That Proposition.

Mr.. Editer: 1t was with large de-
gree of confidence that.I made the sug
gestion which appeared in Tuesdays
REGISTER, and which was as follows:
That the gas company surrender to
the city of lola its exclusive franchise
of the use of the streets and alleys of
the city of lola for the laying of mains
etc.
felt sure that the gas company
would be glad to accept the same and
l was also sure that if they did do so
that the greater or more conservative
element of voters would be glad to do
what they could to have this very un-
fortunate condition settled and that
we could all step out and, as though
we were in new and more wholesome
atmosphere say, "Now let us get
down to business for the good of our
selves and our city" 1t seems that
have counted wrong. There is but
one thing that l can say and that is
that am very sorry. AS far as 1 am
concerned the finale of this cannot eff
feet me much, only as it does any citi-
zen who has love for our city. mado
the proposition on my own hook. 1t
might have been better had consult
ed some of the leaders on both sides.
But did not think so. wanted to
stand alone as l expect to continue to
do. l signed the petition for the cleo
ton. did so with degree ofreluct-
ance born of a hope that the matter
might be adjusted without being COM
PEELED to go into another bitter fight.
1t seems that the gas company
found serious objections to my propo-
sition, some of which from stand
point of right were good. They made
other objections that l did not con-
slider of as much importance as they
gave them.
And right here l wish to say that
it has been talked about the city that
the company or others in the interest
Of the company had showed degree
of weakening in coming to me with
a proposition. In justice to the COM
pany / wish to say that there Is not a
word Of truth In the above. waited
a reasonable length of time for an
answer to my proposition and not get
ting it, thought best to seek an in
terview with the company as COM
pany. / went to Mr.. Evans and re.
quested that he go to the company
and ask them to let me meet them at
meeting they might call.
He did so and they granted me the
permission. | asked them for an
answer. They made a proposition
and submitted it. l told them that /
did not believe that such would do.
They then at the request of others
outside of the company came little
nearer to my view with the following
proposition:
THE lola GAS COMPANY will
waive for itself and its successors all
claim to an exclusive franchise at any
time this company or its successors OF
the District Court of Allen county shall
raise the price of gas higher than the
| HAUL NY VIC vi SdlNt COuIl,
, which prices are as follows: DomesL
tic use $l00 per month per stove;
when cook stove is used second stove
$500 per year; Welsbach lights size
} A 10 cents per month for each first
: two; cents for each additional. lola
city lights in city buildings same as
private families; stoves for city pur-
poses same as private families; street
! lamps not to exceed 25 cents per
+ month for each ordinary fish jet burn
or; for offices and shops from October
to May l, $3.50 $500 per month;
furnaces $500 to $4.00 per month;
stores, business houses and hotels
$3.50 to $500 per month; restaurant
cook stoves and ranges $500 per
month or $1,000 per annum; for hotels
$500 per month or $4,000 per annum;
: laundry and boarding house 500
per month or $4,000 per annum; jets
10 cents per month.
The company also submitted this
proposition:
The lola Gas Co., will agree that
the city attorney or any other attorney
that may be selected by the city, may
by application to the District Court OF
, Allen county secure an order and
, Judgment winch snail IN the opinion
of said court bind the company and
its successors during the life of their
franchise to the terms of the decree
, as 1t fixes the price to be charged for
gas.
These propositions are so near to
the plan which proposed that they
would be satisfactory to me if thought
they would bring peace. And be
lieved that there were many others
who would feel the same way.
believe yet though that the real
way to have settled the question was
on the line of my first'proposition. l
F wish also to state that 1 have not,
as some have intimated, been acting
as mouth piece for the other side OF
the question. L would infer from the