The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-10-15
LIKELY TO CONSENT
WITH SLIGHT CHANGES, IMPERIAL
LIGHT. - ORDINANCE is AC-
CEPT4BEE TO COMPANY
TWO CLAUSES ARE MODIFIED
Legal Department Insists That the
Clause PreventingsCo Combination
With other Companies Must
Be Made Strict.

With a slight remodeling, the ordi-
nance lately drafted by the legal depart
Inent, imposing restrictions of nature
heretofore considered excessive, is accent
able to the Imperial Manufacturing COM
pany, new corporation that proposes 70
enter into the heating and lighting bust
ness
AT meeting of the committee on
streets of the board of aldermen yeSter-
day, representatives of the company Sig
nifed an intention to this effect, ana at
their request the instrument was referred
to the corporation attorney to inquire
into and make the changes they desire.
Two of the changes, one the elimination
of the clause providing for an arbitrary
relocation of their conduits at any time
the council might see fit, and the other
fixed tax of 5 per cent on their gross
earnings, instead of an increase should
any competing company be compelled to
suffer the same, were given approval by
the committee.
The sticl1ler, however, and one that will
be fully debated before the meeting of
the board tonight, was the rather broad
clause forbidding the absorption of any
competing company or the use or pur-
chase of any appliances obtained by any
party under private grant
j. c. Michaels, attorney for tie COM
pany, said that while they were agreea-
bic to any restriction that would prevent
the elimination of active competition,
they desired to be in position to acquire
or use private plants and conduits. Own
ers of many buildings he claimed, got
rid of surplus OF heat or light by shar-
ing with their neighbors, and if the I'M
perial company secured the business, the
profits would. he materially. increased il
they could make use of the conduits and
wires in use between these various build
ings.
AS a compromise, Mr.. Michael rendered
an amendment more liberal in it's make
up, which was given to the corporation
attorney to Investigate. Mr.. Markham,
to whom it was given, said the clause
was created principally to head off any
amalgamat ton with the Edison or gas
companies, and in order to do it effect
ually, what might appear oppressive re-
striction would be necessary
While the legal department has made
no open announcement of the full import
of this particular clause, it is known that
Mr.. Markham entertains fear that the
Manhattan Light, Power and Heat COM
pany may be interested, and in broaden
ing this particular clause he figures on
preventing the absorption of a franchise
that is now a decided thorn in the side of
the Edison company.
The Manhattan company is not the
owner of public franchise. 1t refused
to accept the terms of one passed year
ago, and is now operating Under a pri-
vate grant given. to. Smith. & Taylor. The
territory it covers is restricted, but it is
valuable and a revenue producer.
1--WE are ready said J. c. Michaels, at
the meeting yesterday, ito submit to any
reasonable restrictions that will prevent
us from either selling or buying, but we
do not want'.to be- loaded down with re-
strictions that are burdensome and with
out reason.