Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-12-16
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 Call For from Various
Officials.

The Gas Trust paid S25o,ooo to mem.
beers Of the Fortieth General Assembly
OF Illinois for law under which 1t
could rob the people to its hearts con-
tent.
Bur Il overlooked few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
section IL of Article of the Consti-
tuuou oG Illinois declares that no sub.
sert not embraced in the title of bill
ehaIi become q law. There are some
subjects IN the body of the infamous
ga,.cousol,datlon and frontage bill not
2ilbra ed IN the title. Hence the law Is
ruri
2 HIS LAW. known as the "GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
g., existing gas companies to CONSOLE
date with and merge into n single cor.
p"ratiau. (which shall be one of said
merging and consolidation corpora
ticus." and lnasmuch as this ACT, con-
v.yiu: purported authority. grants to
all yheu existing gas companies In the
city OF Chicago certain exclusive rights
ard privileges. not contemplated by or
gwen them by any ordinance of the
Chicago City Council, and us the right
TO issue franchises and prescribe terms
Tor privileges granted thereby is eX.
pressly reserved to and held to be In.
herent 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.
poratlons or individuals. except by and
with the consent Of the local authorl-
ties tmeaning the City Council. 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
che Gas Consolidation Act" and I'M
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 to the reservations held In
sald ordinances for the benefit and pro-
lection Of the people comprising the
municipality of Chicago. the intent and
object of which provisions Is apparent
and well known. and in such ordl.
nances 1t Is expressly stated, reserved
and provided, to wit:
!. CONSUMERS GAS, FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran.
chlse passed April 2S, 1889, granting
the corporation the right to the use
and occupancy Of the streets, In return
for which the corporation agreed and
bound Itself by bond and various pen
altles, TO lay all feeders and service
pipes at the time Of laying main pipes,
without subsequent disturbance of the
surface or pavements; 10 extend its
main pipes, when ordered by a major
!ty Of the City Council, In any block,
one-half Of which shall be improved by
buildings; that the corporation should
not extend its pipes beyond the city,
or allow any connections TO be made
with It's 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
s1.Ij per 1000 cubic feet. giving con.
sumers OF more than 100000 cubic feet
per year rebate OF % cents per 1000
cubic feet; that said company should
be subject 10 all existing general or.
dlnanccs concerning gas; that the city
should have the right 10 Inspect meters
and that the gas supplied should he OF
the uniform average of 10 sperm can,
dies, burning l2O grains per hour In
5-f0ot burner; that the company's
rights and privileges Professionally
granted should be forfeited unless with.
In three years from date Of acceptance
or the ordinance IL had erected and
had In operation works and mains SUI.
hcient 70 distribute ten million cubic
feet o: gas every thirty days. said
works 10 cost not less than 100000;
that II said company should directly or
Indirectly sell, lease or transfer Its
franchise and privileges 10 any other
gas company or companies, or cease to
manufacture and furnish gas for
period OF more than ten consecutive
days; or II It should fail or refuse to
extend its main plpes vssL reqruted
- DO 20 by q maJorit, g So y .uncil,