Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-04-08
chises to Various Consolidated Companies
in This City.
One Of Them Was Forfeited for Non &c m.
pliance with Contract Back
in 1892.
Some Interesting Information Which the CITY
Council Should Gall For from Various
officials.

The Gas Trust paid S2jO.OOO to men,
beers of the Fortieth General Assembly
of Illinois for law under which It
could rob the people TO its hearts con-
tent.
But 1t overlooked a few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
section IL of Article of the Consti-
tuition of Illinois declares that no sub
ject not embraced In the title of q bill
shall become n law. There are some
subjects In the body of the Infamous
decentralization and frontage bill not
embra ced in the title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known as the GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
all existing gas companies TO CONSOLE
date with and merge into a single cor.
poration. which shall be one of said
merging and consolidation corpora
tons" and inasmuch rs this ACT. con-
veylng 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.
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
porat!ons or individuals, except by and
with the consent of the local authori.
ties (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 10 the passage Of
rhe Gas Consolidation Act" aud un-
der and by virtue and existence Of
such ordinances. certain bonds, con-
tracts. privileges and obligations We're
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
and well known, and In such ordi.
nances II Is expressly stated. reserved
and provided. TO wit:
I. CONSUMERS GAS. FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran.
chlse passed April os 1889, granting
the corporation the right 10 the use
and occupancy of the streets. In return
for which the corporation agreed and
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: to extend its
main pipes, when ordered by a major
ity Of the City Council, in any block,
onc-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.,5 pcy 1000 cubic feet, giving con.
,umers of more than 100000 cubic feet
per year rebate OF % cents per 1000
cubic feet; that said company should
be subject to all existing general or
dnanccs concerning gas; that the city
should have the right 10 Inspect meters
ana that the gas supplied should be Of
the uniform average OF III sperm can.
dies. burning 100 grains per hour in a
j-foot burner; that the conpany's
rights and privileges Professionally
granted should be forfeited unless with
ia three years from date Of acceptance
Of the ordinance II had erected and
had in operation works and mains suf'
iiclent TO distribute ten million cubic
feet Of gas every thirty days, said
works TO cost not less than 500, 900;
that IL said company should directly or
indirectly sell, lease or transfer It's
franchise and privileges To any other
gas company or companies, or cease 10
manufacture and furnish gas for a
perioa OF more than ten consecutive
days; or II 1t should fail or refuse to
extend its main pipes when requested
to Co 30 by majority Of the Council,