The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-03
GAS METER ORDINANCE
1T Is INTRODUCED IN THE COUNCIL
BY MR. EVANS BY REQUEST.
Would Sell Fuel mt the Rate of 80
Cents a T-housand-A Pub
lie Protest.

Judging from the comments made on the
gas ordinance introduced in the Council
last night in favor of the meter system it
has about as much chance of being passed
as the mercury has of falling TO the zero
mark in Indianapolis to-day. The council
men who read 1t shook their heads and said
1t would never be passed. The gas COM
panies want a rate of 30 cents per thousand
cubic feet for gas burned. Is cents rental
per- month for meters and a deposit of s.
from the consumer for each meter. The
ordinance is entitled an ordinance to amend
Section IL and repeal Section II of the gas
ordinance approved June q, 1851. 1t reads
as follows:
BE il ordained by the Common Council
of the city of indianapolis:
Section THAT Section IL of the above
entitled ordinance be and the same is here
by amended so as to read as follows:
Sec. lin consideration of the use of
the streets, alleys. avenues, and lanes and
public grounds of this city. for the supply
ing of natural gas. all corporations, COM
panies, firms and individuals having such
use under this ordinance shall. so long as
such use shall continue, supply and furnish
natural gas for heating and Illuminating
purposes and be entitled to demand and
receive therefor monthly from each con-
sumner 20 cents and not more for each
month in which his consumption does not
exceed $500 cubic feet, and at the rate of
90 cents and not more for each 1000 cubic
feet consumed in each month in which his
consumption exceeds $500 cubic feet.
Meters for the measurement of the gas
oonC,rr1ad ohou ba Furnished nv tho corr
poration. company. firm or individual by
whom the gas is supplied and for the use of
each of the same corporation, company.
firm or individual shall be entitled to
charge and receive an additional sum of Is
cents a month. Provided, however, that
until the consumer shall have been fur
nished or rendered a meter he shall be en-
titled to be supplied with natural gas at
the schedule rates prescribed in Section ii
of said ordinance before the amendment of
said section by this ordinance. The cor
poration, firm, company or individual so
supplying natural gas shall have the right
to demand a deposit of not exceeding s. as
security for the payment of bills OF gas to
be supplied, and meter rent. Payment shall
be made for gas supplied and meter rent
for each month, within the first ten days
OI the succeeding ulOUlu dl thc 0iiOC III
said city of the proper corporation. COM
pany, firm or individual, and for failure 10
make such ayment or for using gas With
out a meter after a meter mas been Iurs
gas may be discontinued until such pay
ment is made, or the meter is put in posi-
ton and used.
Sec. 2-That Section IL of said ordi-
nance be and the same is hereby repealed.
Sec. 3-This ordinance shall take effect
from and after its passage"
The ordinance was introduced by Mr..
Evans by request and on motion of Mr..
Bernauer was referred to the committee
on public property and improvement.
MIR. DECISIONS RESOLUTION.
Councilman Dickson introduced the fol-
lowing resolution, which was promptly
tabled with but one dissenting vote.
Whereas, The franchise these gas COM
panies enjoy is worth many thousands of
dollars and neither company mas ever paid
the city one cent for the rights and privi-
leges they enjoy, and;
"Whereas. The matter of rates and sched-
ules of prices OF gas, etc., is under Section
SO of our city charter a subject that must
be regulated by contract entered into with
the Board of Public Works and then rati-
fled by ordinance passed by the City Coun-
the rate and use of gas should be first con-
sidered by said Board of Public Works.
therefore:
BE it resolved that this entire matter be
and the same is hereby referred to the
Board of Public Works"
Mayor Taggart returned three ordinances
signed and the ordinance providing for the
removal of dirt from sidewalks he returned
unsigned.
Councilman Negley introduced an ordi-
nance to compel express companies TO de-
liver goods any place within the corporate
limits of the city.
The contract made by the Board of Public
Works with the Indianapolis Clean Street
was received by the Council ac-
companied by an ordinance providing for
the ratification and was referred TO the
committee on ewers, streets and alleys.
The finance committee reported favorably
on ordinances for the refunding of liquor
and made an unfavorable report on
the ordinance to license breweries at 81. 200
a year. The report says the ordinance is
unjust; license fee excessive, and the full
of it would cause many fines and
cancellations of licenses. 1t was later
brought up on motion hat 1T DE stricken
from the files, which was carried by a vote
of u to 6.
The ordinance providing for the annexa-
ton of the territory north of Fall Creek
and east of Central avenue, introduced
some time ago and on which the committee
made an ~unfavorable report was stricken
from the files.