The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-30
NOT FOR SALE.
w. j. Faulkner Writes of To-
peka Gas Franchise.
Denies That He Wants 1t For
Speculative Purposes.
IS IN GOOD FAITH.
IS IN GOOD FAITH.
Would Put Up a Bond to Com
plete Plant.
Outlines What Would Be Done
to Project City.

W. J. Faulkner, who is asking for
new gas franchise from the city council
of Topeka, disclaims that he wants the
franchise for speculative purposes, as
was charged in a recent meeting of the
council. In a letter that has just been
received from Mr. Faulkner by Coun-
Gilman Roundtree, chairman OF the
committee on gas and electric lights,
he states that he viii not sell the fran
chise but will use it himself, and is
willing to have such a provision in
serted in the franchise. He says:
clippings from Topeka papers sent
me state that you introduced the ordi-
nance and that it was referred to the
gas and electric light committee, but
only after some argument on the SUB
ject of a cash deposit.
I will try to state our position brief
":
One of your honorable colleagues is
reported as saying franchises in To-
peka are valua BILE This one will be 50
to US, else we would not want it, but it
will be valuable to no one else for they
cannot afford to supply gas at the
prices named in it If we had the fran
chise in hand today there is not gas
company in the United States that
would give a button top for it and give
a bond to comply with its conditions,
nor would the Topeka company give a
cent for it to shelve it. because being
of no value to them they naturally
would think that it could not be profit
you in honor, between man and man,
that I do not ask for it with any inten-
ton of offering it for sale. 1t will not
be for sale, nor will it be sold, but as
soon as passed in acceptable form
company will be organized TO use it and
if I live I shall be identified with that
company.
we shall invest a large amount of
money in your city and supply gas and
electric current at the figures stated
Other Kansas towns will also be at
tractive to us because fuel is high and
we will make more money in the agsre-
gate on the gas sold at 80 cents and
under than on that at 80 and over. The
limitations of the latter are narrow
while the possibilities in the other are
almost boundleSS. I do not hesitate TO
predict that within three years after
we turn the gas into the mains there
will not be a carload of anthracite coal
a month used in Topeka and little of
any other.
I cannot see what would be gained
by your honorable body should we
make a deposit of one or five thousand
dollars in some bank We certainly
would not put any such sum beyond
our own ownership. What is it to guar
antee? The only use for it would be to
guarantee that we would accept an or
dinance and utilize it or forefeit some
thing. We might not want the ordi-
nance that would be passed We have
to be the judges of its value to US, ana
no business man should ask US to place
a sum OF money WneEG II COdlQ ne 1Aid0E
the subject of controversy and possibly
of litigation and we be unable to direct
what we should have in return
While I fully acknowledge the value
to US of the franchise asked, I emphat-
ically state that it would be valueless
to anyone else, and just as emphati-
caIly state that we are offering,t Through
your honorable body, to your city and
its citizens the most valuable cOmmodi-
ty and the most perfect service they
have ever had in any line or ever have
had offered.
I'VE offer an opportunity to secure at
prices lower than any of your hOnora-
bic body has dreamed of having, a gas
and electric service more complete and
far-reaching than anyone else can Of
fer. Are your honorable colleagues
working for nothing when, in following
the course of duties they have been
elected to perform, they give such
proposition a patient hearing2 Is It
working for nothing to consider the
possibilities of securing for your city
an industry that Will require nearly
million dollars to install and save many
thousands of dollars annually to your
citizens?
I win try to look at this from the