Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-07-08
Provisions of the Ordinances Granting Fran
chises to Various Consolidated Companies
in This City.
One of Them Was Forfeited for Non.Com.
pliance with Contract Back
in 1892
Some Interesting Information Which the City
Council Should Gall For from Various
Officials.

The Gas Trust paid S-Jo,oOo 10 men,
bers of the Fortieth General Assembly
of Illinois for law under which 1t
could rob the people to its hearts con-
tent.
But It overlooked few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section - of Article 4 Of the Consti-
tuition of Illinois declares that no sub
feet not embraced in the title of q bill
shall become law. There are some
subjects in the body of the Infamous
decentralization and frontage bill not
embraced in the title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known as the GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
ell existing gas companies to consoli.
date with and merge into single cor.
poration, (which shall be one of said
merging and consolidation corpora.
tons" and inasmuch as this ACT, con-
veying purported authority. grants to
all then existing gas companies In the
city Of Chicago certain exclusive rights
and privileges, not contemplated by or
given them by any ordinance OF the
Chicago City Council, and as the right
to issue franchises and prescribe terms
for privileges granted thereby Is ex.
pressly reserved to and held to be In.
hcrent In the City Council by the state
Constitution of 1870, which provides
that the State Legislature shall not
grant and cannot convey rights and
privileges In the streets Of cities to cor
porations or individuals. except by and
with the consent OF the local authorl.
ties (meaning the City CounclD, 1t Is
unconstitutional on that paint.
LET Us LOOK AT SOME PERTI.
NENT FACTS relating to this point:
In ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council, prior to the passage of
the Gas Consolidation Act" and un'
der and by virtue and existence OF
such ordinances, certain bonds, con
tracts, privileges and obligations Were
assumed by certain gas companies, In
return for franchises granting them
provisional rights In the use and occu.
pancy OF the streets, always subject
however. 10 the reservations held In
said ordinances for the benefit and pro
lection of the people comprising the
municipality Of Chicago, the intent and
object Of which provisions Is appareI,
and well known, and in such ordi
nances II Is expressly stated, reserved
and provided to wit:
1. CONSUMERS GAS, FUEL AMI
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran
chise passed April 2s, 1889, granting
the corporation the right to the us,
and occupancy of the streets, In return
for which the corporation agreed ant
bound itself by bond and various pen
alties. 10 lay all feeders and service
pipes at the time OF laying main pipes
without subsequent disturbance of The
surface or pavements; 10 extend III
main pipes, when ordered by major
ity of the City Council. in any block
one-half OF which shall be improved by
buildings; that the corporation should
not extend It's pipes beyond the city
or allow any connections 10 be made
with its pipes 10 supply gas TO any con
sumers outside OF the city; that II
should not charge more than % cents
per foot for service pipes, nor charge
general consumers Of gas more than
Sl.I5 per 1000 cubic feet, giving con
sumcrs OF more than 1000 cubic feet
per year q rebate OF 25 cents per 1905
cubic feet; that said company should
be subject 10 all existing general or
dInances concerning gas; that the city
should have the right 10 inspect meters
and that the gas supplied should be OF
the uniform average Of III sperm can
dies, burning 100 grains per hour in {
5-fo0t burner; that the company
rights and privileges PROVISIONAL.
granted should be forfeited unless with
In three years from date Of acceptance
Of the ordinance 1t had erected anC
had In operation works and mains SUI
fcient to distribute ten million cub!'
feet OF gas every thirty days, saiC
works to cost not less than 100000
that II said company should directly o.
Indirectly sell, lease or transfer III
franchise and privileges TO any othel
gas company or companies, or cease u
manufacture and furnish gas for ,
period of more than ten consecutive
days; or II II should fail or refuse Il
extend its main pipes wbeu requested
70 90 so by a majority o. We Council