The age-herald., 1901-02-19
CHEAPER GAS WILL
 SOON BE A REALITY
End of First Ten Year Period of Contract Between City and the Gas Company is Near at
 Hand----A Proposition.

the city at the rate of one and 40-10O dol lars ($1.40) per thousand cubic feet, when furnished for lighting purposes, but the said Gas Company shall make a deduc- tion of 10 per cent upon each monthly bill for gas so furnished to private con- sumers for lighting purposes if such monthly bill be paid on or before the 10th day of the month in which 1t becomes due and payable.
 Gas furnished to private consumers in the city for cooking purposes at the rate of one dollar ($1 .0O per thousand cubic feet, without deduction, when separate meter Is kept for measuring such gas but when no separate meter Is kept for such gas, then at same rate as above provided for lighting purposes
 Sec ?. Be 1t further ordained That the said private consumers shall pay for the gas consumed by them monthly at such time as the said Gas Company may pro- vide; and the said Gas Company shall have the right and power to discontinue to furnish gas to any of the said priv ate consumers who shall be in default in the payment for gas after the 10th day of the month in which the account there for becomes due and payable, and to re- move from his or their premises any meter or meters furnished by the said Gas Company.
 S' case of strikes or accidents to the plant or works of the said Gas Company or to any part thereof, or any other una Voldable accident. preventing the perfor- nance of said contract by the said Gas Company, in part or in whole, the said Gas Company shall be relieved from fur nishing gas under said contract In whole or In part, according to the extent 1t is thereby prevented from performance, during the time 1t is preventedi and it's fallure to furnish gas during the time IL IS so prevented shall not operate a preach or the said contract; and the said contract hereby authorized and directed to be made by the Mayor shall So pro- vide.
 section 4.-Be 1t further ordained, Thai tiie sald Gas Company may make con- tracts with the owners or proprietors Gt notels, theatres, shops, stores or public houses or public places of any kind eith. CT Tor heating or lighting purposes, at z less price per thousand cubic feet tha. II may furnish gas to other and smaller consumers
 section 5.-Be 1t further ordained, Ina there be, and Is hereby confirmed ant granted unto the said Birmingham Gas Company, it's successors and assigns, tht right, power and franchise to operate its present plant in said city for the mauu. lecture of gas, and to repair, rebuild ant extend the samei to maintain its pipes and other fixtures in, along, across anC under the streets, avenues and alleys oi said city, for the distribution of gas, at the same are now laid, and to repair, re- new or relay the same, to extend the same so as to reach all parts of the city and suburbs thereofj to pipe houses and to do all work necessary to carry on itf business.
 Section 6.-Be 1t further ordained, Thai the license to be paid to the said Mayor and Aldermen by the Birmingham Gas Company, its successors or assigns, fol carrying on its business during the sai6 period of ten years shall not exceed five hundred dollars s(500. OO) per annum.
 Section 7.-13e it further ordained, Ina as herein modified, the said contract bear ing date the 98rd day of April, 1891, shal be and remain In full force and effect.
 Talk of New Company.
 It is understood that certain eastern capitalists interested in the United Gas and Improvement Company are watching the action of the city, and unless equit- able rates are agreed upon will apply for franchise to furnish gas to priv ate consumers at $1 for Illuminating and 50 cents for fuel purposes. A representa- tive of these parties has been in the city to look over the situation and has made favorable report The parties have been in correspondence with certain promoters and will be represented at the meeting of the City Council at which the contract comes up. It Is stated authoritatively that unless the price of gas is fixed at $1 per thousand, feet that they will put up q cash bond to furnish gas at that price if the city will grant them a franchise