The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-08

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
present time, yet he could not look with
favor upon the proposition to establish
meters at any price, much less the price
suggested. The letter was very carefully
worded and extremely cautious in tone.
1t was received by Council with no COM
ment.
MAYORS COMMUNICATION.
The letter is as follows:
81 have the honor to transmit to you
herewith and through you to the members
of the Common Council communications
from the indianapolis Gas Company and
from the Consumers Gas Company, which
have been forwarded TO me by such cor
poratiOns i'm order that the same shall re-
ment and the judgment of the members of
the Common Council the interests of the
people of Indianapolis shall demand
I'm submitting these communications to
you, without i'm any way binding myself as
TO my future action on this question, L can
not refrain from expressing the opinion
that the rates for natural gas suggested
therein should receive the most careful
consideration at your hands. L am con-
WINGED that the best interests of all the
people demand that this question as to
the future price and supply of natural gas
should be settled definitely at the earliest
possible moment, but | am not ready to
agree al this time TO the proposition that
the rate suggested in such cOmmunica-
tions. admitting that the Introduction of
meters is the only solution of the natural
gas problem, to which proposition ! cannot
accede at this time, would be fair and
equitable to the consumers of natural gas
My position on this question has been
outlined repeatedly TO the people of In
dianapOis and / still hold to the opinions
heretofore expressed and the pledges here
tOfore given. While / cannot at this time
view with favor the proposition to intro
duce meters at any price, much less at
the price suggested in such cOmmunica-
tiOns, l recognize that the changing con-
Gitions may demand some action upon the
part of the city of Indianapolis looking to
the retention TO all our people of the ad-
vantages of natural gas for fuel. and
therefore. expressing a desire that this
whole subject shall be settled definitely at
the earliest possible moment | submit
the assurance that ] shall be ready TO
cooperate with YOU in reaching such de
termination of this question as shall prove
satisfactory and to the best interests of
the people of the city of indianapolis"
SECOND IN INTEREST.
The Southern franchise was second I'm
interest only to the meter ordinance and its
accompanying communications The road
received its franchise by vote of Is to
Party lines were not closely drawn on the
measure. as two Republicans voted against
granting a franchise and four Democrats
voted I'm favor of the grant For the fran
chise were Berry, Billingsey Cooper. Ep-
pert Holiday, Mcfarland. NegIey. Rhodes
Shea, Wahl. Warweg. Wheeler. Wynne.
Wysong and Haldenan. Against II Uera
Grail, Kelly, Meyer. MOriarity. Sourbier and
Wolsiffer.
number of cOunclmen explained their
votes. John III. Grail I'm voting negatively
said that he did not believe the contract
was the most favorable which could have
been secured and that IL had not received
the most thorough attention from the com,
mittee He did not oppose the idea OF ad-
hitting another coal road he said but H..
did not think the terms for admitting the
Southern were the most favorable Council
man Sourbier declared that he voted
against the road because the contract had
not been examined with due care. and that
there was al least one Of It's provisions
the one relating 10 double tracking through
the city-that should have been eliminated
or amended. comnciimen Andrew Waai