Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-06-17
Provisions of the Ordinances Granting Fran
chises to Various Consolidated Companies
in This City,
One of Them Was Forfeited for Nome m.
pliance with Contract Back
in 1892.
Some interesting Information Which the City
Council Should Gall For from Various
Officials.

The Gas Trust paid S2JO000 to men, |
hers OF the Fortieth General Assembly
oi Illinois for law under which 1t
could rob the people to Its hearts con-
teut.
Bur IL overlooked "A few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section IL of Article of the Constl-
tuition OF Illinois declares that no sub
feet mot embraced In the title OF bill
~liall become q law. There are some
subjects in the body of the infamous
accommodation and frontage bill not
~mi,ya cei In the title. Hence the law Is
ro.tl
THIS LAW. known rs the GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
ali existing gas companies to consoll.
date with and merge into n single cor
poratjon. (which shall be one Of said
ucrgipr and consolidation corpora
tions.'' and iIasmuch as this ACT. con-
veviny purported authority. grants to
ali ,len existing gas companies In the
city ~ Chicago certain exclusive rights
aud privileges. not contemplated by or
gwen ,nem by any ordinance OF the
Ut. SOuuCits anu us thS hiShe
to Issue franchises and prescribe terms
FOR privileges Inraated thereby Is ex.
pressly reserved ~ and held to be In
ierenr To ;s.eChy Council by the State
Constitution of 1870. which provides
ti,at the State Legislature shall not
gran. and cannot convey rights and
privileges In the streets OF cities to cor.
porX tons or individuals, except by and
with ttc consent Of the local authOri.
ties (Ipeaning the City Council. 1t Is
unconstitutional on that paint
iS.r Cts LOOK AT SOME PERTl.
NENT FACTS relating to this point:
ia ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council, prior 10 the passage Of
tine Gas Consolidation Act" and I'm.
der and by virtue and existence Of
such ordinances, certain bonds. con.
rrac'sl privileges and obligations were
assumed by certain gas companies. In
return for franchises granting them
provisional rights In the use and Occu.
pans:y OF the streets, always subject,
however, TO the reservations held In
SAID ordinances for the benefit and pro.
tss.fiOn Of the people comprising the
municipality of Chicago, the intent and
object CT Eshidh provisions is apparent
and well known, aud in such Ordi.
nznces II IL expressly stated, reserved
and provided, to wit:
=. CONSUMERS GAS. FUEL AND
hIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran.
schise passed April %. lSS2. granting
the csspocauOn the right TO the use
and occupancy Of the streets. In return
Tor which the corporation agreed and
bound ltsalf by bond and various pen
Nssses, To tsy all feeders and service
pines at the time OF laying main pipes,
without subsequent disturbance of the
surface or pavements; TO extend It's
main pipes, when ordered by q major
Ity OF the City Council, In any block,
Ssns-tlsif OF which shall be improved by
suiisipgs; that the corporation should
not extend It's pipes beyond the city,
or allow any connections TO be made
with It's pipes to supply gas TO any con
snmcrs outside of the city; that IL
shot,l6 not charge more than % cents
,ar. foot for service pipes. nor charge
general consumers OF gas more than
SIZE pcr 1000 cubic feet, giving con
.umers OF more than 10000 cubic feet
J,er rear "A rebate of % cents per 1000
cubic feet; that said company should
be subject to all existing general Or
dlnanoes concerning gas; that the city
should have the right TO Inspect meters
and that the gas supplied should he OF
the UNIFORM average of 10 sperm can
dies, burning 100 grains per hour In
l-fOst burner: that the company !
rights and privileges Professionally
granted should he forfeited unless with
in three years from date of acceptance
of the ordinance IL had erected and
had in operation works and mains suf'
aclent to distribute ten million cubic
feet Of gas every thirty days, said
works 20 cost not less than SJOO,OOO'
that IL said company should directly OF
Indirectly sell, lease or transfer III
franchise and privileges to any Other
gas company or companies, or cease to
fsunufacture and furnish gas for q
ycriod OF more than ten consecutive
DAYS: or IL u should fail OF refuse 70
extend its main pipes ~ssI. requested
to do % BY q majority a. Ne Council