The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-13
KELLER MApS
A BROAD ufFER
COMMON COUNCIL DECIDED NOT
TO ACCEPT IT.

Said He Can Name the Man Who
Paid Money to Secure the Passage
II the Last Gas Franchise ordi-
nance, and Men the Money Was
Intended For-New Consumers
Company Ordinance Passed on
Third Reading-Meeting Of Select
Council.
The ordinance granting franchise to
the Consumers Gas company was
passed on third reading last night by
common council after Mr.. Keller had
vainly endeavored to postpone action
until next week. 1t will now go to Sc
lect council.
When the measure was called up on
third reading by Mr.. Gurrell, Mr. Kel-
Ter wanted to know what provision
there was in 1t that would enable the
city to find out what the gross receipts
of the company will be. That is essen
tial to ascertain the amount of tax they
will have to pay. The friends of the
ordinance admitted that 1t is a bit hazy
on that point, but supposed the power
to ascertain the amount of the gross
receipts was implied.
Mr.. Keller then referred to the scam
dal in connection with the gas ordi-
nance passed by the last council, an
ordinance Of which the present one. he
said, is a copy He called attention to
the fact that no one has disclosed who
the members of the Consumers Gas
company are, and that in view of this
fact and the rumors concerning the
passage of the former ordinance, no
member could afford to vote for the
present measure until the charges con-
cefning the other are cleared up.
To this Chairman Robathan replied
that he did not think it seemly for a
member of council to reflect on the
body by referring to rumors that might
have no foundation in fact.
A BROAD OFFER.
Postpone this matter for week."
said Mr.. Keller, land I'll give you facts
and figures about the passage of the
ordinance of which this is copy. I
will give you the name Of the man who
paid the money. the men who received
the money, men who held the money,
and where the money is under seal to-
night"
"Name the place where it Isl" cried
a member
''In' the Traders National bank" an
swered Mr.. Keller. y
This bold statement fairly amazed the
members. and several of them were on
their feet in a moment. Mr.. Keller ex-
planned that he did not refer to any
members of common council.
Mr.. Calpin wanted to know If MIR.
Keller had the information he referred
to in his possession three weeks .ago,
and Mr. Keller replied that practically
he had Mr.. Calpn thought it should
have been given to the council before
Mr. Roche moved that action be post
poned for week, to enable Mr.. Keller
to make good his statement, but when
the motion was put it was lost by the
following vote:
Yeas-T. j. Snowdcn W. w. Evans II.
J. Roche, o. B. Partridge w. H. Knoep-
fel Fred Sykes. Il. S. Fuller. Luther
Keler-S
Nays-M j. Clark. Il. w. Thomas. ]. J.
Evans. David Evans, John j.. Henry,
James Casterlinc, j. J. Huggcrty. Edward
Soaring. A. l.. Lewis. John McGreevy,
+. +. Calpin John j. Ruane. Fred Phil
lips. Charles Rosar Daniel Calvin. VIII.
liam Gurrcll. William Lewis, John ]. Nc
Hale. Charles Graf, NJ. j. Barrett, NJ
Norton, Il. l.. Robatllan-....
ORDINANCE PASSED.
The ordinance then came up on pas
sage and Mr., Keller said the company
might possibly construct the plant, but
they did not intend to operate it and
that 1t was a backmailing scheme.
Notwithstanding, the ordinance passed
by the following vote:
Yeas-M. j. Clark. II. w. Thomas. ]. J.
Evans Il n
James Casterlinc, J. j. Haggerty, Edward
Soaring. A. l.. Lewis, John McGreevy
+. f.. Calpn, John j. Ruane. Fred Phil
lips, Charles Rosar, Daniel Calvin, Will
liam Gllrrell, William Lewis, John j. Nc
Hale, Charles Graf M. j. Barrett, NJ.
Norton, t. T. Robathan-oa
Nays-David Evans. II. j. Snowdcn, w, |
W. Evans. T. j. Roche, w. ii. Knocpfcl, |
I. S. Fuller, Luther Kellcr-7.
Fred Sykes was excused from voting.
CITY Solicitor Watson sent an opinion |
to common council in reply to a query |
from the commoners who wanted to
know If 1t were possible to adopt some
method for the payment of contractors
VINO undertake municipal improve
ments. Mr. Watson informed the MEM
bers that councils had no power save
that conferred in the ordinance and
the only way change could be effect
ed would be for the city to assume the
cost In the first instance. The opinion
was fled
The resolution removing the lunch
wagon from the Amsden property al
Washington and Lackawanna avenues
was concurred in, Mr., Keller making
the motion.
NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED.
When the resolutions directing the re-
caipt of options for property at North
Main avenue and Throop street for a
fire house was read it was promptly
tabled. Mr.. Keller made the motion
because the report was directed to Sc
lect council. Mr.. Calpin said select
council was acting as though common
council had no existence and he !
thought 1t time to let them know that
there was such a body as common
council and Mr.. Robathan promptly
decided that the measure should take
sleep.
Mr. Thomas wanted two basins in the
First ward. Mr.. Henry wanted cross