Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-05-05
Gas or No Gas.

Shall Garrett stand in the rear of the
possession, or will its citizens develop the
resources that we believe nature has
planted benepth us, and that only await
the intelligence and enterprise of man to
make them our servants most useful and
profitable?
That Garnett and vicinity are within
the great gas and oil belt OF eastern
Kansas no one can reasonably doubt,
and that we are standing still while
neighboring cities are out-stripping us, is
not to our credit.
The question of developing these re-
sources concerns every inhabitant of this
city and surrounding country, and num-
Der of enterprising gentlemen OF Garnett
and vicinity lately felt the necessity of at
once doug something in this direction,
and organized a company, and have
succeeded in raising funds with which to
prospect for gas.
But on investigation it was found that,
on account of late law passed by the
legislature, private parties cannot own
and operate gas plant successfully III
cities of the first, second and third class
as could be done before the enactment OF
that law.
Therefore, it now becomes a question
for the voters of thccity of Garnett to
decide whether they will do what the
law evidently believed they should do
viz: as a city, own and operate a gas
plant for the use and beniht of the city,
and the city treasury reap the profits
arising therctrom-which profits, ii we
have gas in passing quantities, will pay
all expenses of developing said gas plant
and operating the same, and very large
revenue to the city besides
Towns about us are pushing ahead
and developing these great resources, and
Garrett should be alive to her interests.
Gas in Garnett means not only good
income to the city, as city, but an adj
vance in price of every foot of real estate
in the city and vicinity. 1t means an
increase in population, more business to
to the business men and more labor ior
the laboring men;aud it means cheap
fuel and cheap lights to every citizen OF
the city of Garrett.
1t is believed by the business men OF the
city that to successfully prospect for and
develop natural gas, 1t will cost about
Sc, 900, and that will be but a small tax
on each taxpayer And for that amount,
can the city afford not to take advantage
of what nature seems to have given'
AT meeting of the Business Mems
Club and of other citizens of Garnett, it
was agreed to submit to the taxpayers
of the city of Garnett petition asking
Tor the calling of an election to determine
whether or not the the sum OF $4,000
should be bv the city expended Tor the
purpose Of developing gas wells and fur
nishing gas to the city for public and
private use. ~.
A committee was appointed to circulate
a petition for the signature of the tax
payers. The committee will wait upon
YOU, and it is for the taxpayers to de
eide whether they will go forward or
backward-whether they will have their
property depreciate in value, as it must
do if other cities advance, and thereby
take from us the enterpr. sing citizens
whom we should encourage to remain
or shall we spend few dollars each, and
materially increase the price of property
of every taxpayer who contributes to
the $4,000 and give new life to the city
COMMITTEES OF BUSINESS MEN.