Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-11-25
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.

Tie Gas Trust paid $3.50, 900 to mem. |
b.rs Of the Fortieth General Assembly |
OF Illinois for law under which 1t |
could rob the people to its hearts con-
tent.
But Il overlooked a few points that |
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section Is of Article 4 Of the Consti. |
tutioa OF Illinois declares that no sub. |
feet not embraced In the title of bill
shall become law. There are some
subjects IN the body OF the Infamous
decentralization and frontage bill not
smbra esd In the title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known as the "GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
oil existing gas companies TO CONSOLE
date with and merge into single cor.
poratlon. (which shall be one Of said
merging and consolidation corpora
vioEs," and inasmuch rs this ACT, con-
veyinc purpor,ed authority. grants to
all then existing gas companies In the
city OF Chicago certain exclusive rights
aud privileges, not contemplated by or
given them by any ordinance of the
Chicago City Council. and as the right
20 issue franchises and prescribe terms
for privileges granted thereby Is eX-
grossly reserved to and held to be In.
herent in the City Council by the State
Constitution of 1870. which provides
chat 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 authors
fies (meaning 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
vhe 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, to 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 apparent
aud well known, and In such ordi-
rances 1t Is expressly stated. reserved
and provided. to wit:
I. CONSUMERS GAS. FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran.
ch!se passed April %. 1852, granting
che corporation the right to the use
end occupancy Of the streets, In return
Cor which the corporation agreed and
bound itself by bond and various pen
sItics, 10 lay all feeders and service
pipes NJ the time OF laying main pipes,
without subsequent disturbance Of the
surfnrr ar pivrments; TO extend its
main pipes. when ordered by major
ity of the City Council, In any block,
1ne-half ~ 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 to supply gas TO any con.
aumers outside OF the city; that 1t
should not charge more than 25 cents
per foot for service pipes, nor charge
general consumers OF gas more than
Clio per 1000 cubic feet, giving con.
sumGrs Of more than 100000 cubic feet
per year a rebate OF % cents per 1000
cubic feet; that said company should
De subject 10 all existing general or
dinances concerning gas; that the city
shOuld have the right TO Inspect meters
and that the gas supplied should be of
The uniform average of ~ sperm can
dies, burning 100 grains per hour In a
b-fOot burner; that the company's
rights and privileges Professionally
granted should be forfeited unless with.
In three years from date OF acceptance
OF the ordinance II had erected and
had In operation works and mains suf-
dclent to distribute ten million cubic
feet OF gas every thirty days, said
works 70 cost not less than $500, 900;
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 q
period OF more than ten consecutive
days; or 10 1t should fail or refuse to
extend It's main plpee UhAa requested
- DO 50 by . majoritv e Ne Council,