The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-05
RESTAURANT
WITHOUT GAS
Matter Called TO the Attention
Of the Appellate Court.
new OWNERS ARE IN CHARGE.
Gas Company Refused 10 Furnish Gas Until
Bills Of Old Owners Were Paid.
SETTLEMENT EFFECTED IN COURT.
deposit Of $50 a Month in Advance 10 Be Made.
Tho People Of Westerly VII Not
Have 10 Go huugr.
new OWNERS ARE IN CHARGE.
Gas Company Refused TO Furnish Gas Until
Bills OF Old Owners Were Paid.
SETTLEMENT EFFECTED IN COURT

There has recently been much COM
motion in the town Of Westerly and
much newspaper talk according to
counsel, over the action of the Wester-
ly Gas and Electric Light company in
shutting off the gas in a restaurant
there Judging, too. by the tone OF
counsels remark i'm the appellate court
the newspaper talk didn't line up with
popular ideas about gas companies. 1t
seems according TO a bill in equity filed
in the appellate court, Albert B. Crafts
and Ralph G. Collins of Westerly re-
Gently became the proprietors and
managers OF a certain restaurant,
lunch and pool room or High street in
Westerly. Soon after assuming charge
of the same, they say in their bill, they
called upon the officials of the gas
company and offered TO be responsible
for the gas furnished the restaurant.
The officials referred them TO the man
ager of the company's works.
THE MANAGERS DEMAND.
This manager refused to supply gas
unless the new proprielors paid a bill
due for gas furnished the former occu-
pants which bill amounted 10 $50, and
also a balance OF 40 due Tor a gas
stove. Neither Crafts nor Collins
deemed this a reasonable request so
they stated in modest language their
objections. The manager said he would
talk II over with the other officials and
the result of the conference was that
the manager was Instructed to stand
firm and get his $50 or tallow dips and
Kerosene would be used in the restau-
rant There was much trouble in the
restaurant Sunday night owing TO the
lack OF gas. The bill in equity sets
forth the fact that no other company
than the defendant company furnishes
gas or electric light in the town or VIII
lage.
HEARING ON CITATION.
Citation was returnable this morning
in the appellate court in this city and
Mr.. Crafts appeared for the complain
ants and Walter b. Vincent Esq, for
the gas company. Judge Stiness pre-
sided aft tfre hearing on the compfain-
ants motion for mandatory intunc-
tion to compel the gas company TO fur
nish gas To the complainants.
Judge Stiness thought the matter a
small one and suggested that Mr..
Crafts enter into a stipulation TO pay
the amount due by previous occupants
OF the restaurant if a court should in a
suit LOT Inat Ddldnce declare MIN liable
and also make deposit under the rules
of the company.
Mr.. Crafts at first seemed satisfied
with the suggestion, then he demurred
little, then he said he was willing to
make deposit but he wanted gas in
the restaurant tonight
Mr.. Vincent, too, rather felt like i'm
pressing on the court the necessity for
certain formalities being carried out in
regard to furnishing gas, but he. too
changed his mind and said If a deposit
of $50 was made on the first of every
month, that being the usual amount of
the gas bill, Mr. Crafts could have gas
and have 1t right away.
AGREEMENT REACHED.
Mr.. Crafts did not like putting up
$50 every month as the bill was not al
ways as heuvv as the sum named. He
spoke OF insisting on his rights, but
as the meter had been taken out and
he refused to agree to reasonable rules
or the company the court did NOT have
any perception of any rights of the
so Mr.. Crafts bowed 70
the inevitable and said he would nav
the $40 and enter into the stimulation
required. Hungry people and pool
players can consequently have the ad-
of gas in the big restaurant to-
night.