The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-05
WILL DRILL FOR
NATURAL GAS
City Council Decides on the
Matter.
MAKE DETERMINED EFFORT
E. 7, Allen Appointed TO Get
Land Leases.
FRANCHISE VAS GRANTED
To Mr.. Stewart as Trustee of
CITY and Capitalists.
FRANCHISE VAS GRANTED

J. H. Stewart, as trustee, was given a
franchise by the city council last night
for using the streets and alleys of the
city for the laying of pipes Tor natural
gas.
This means that there win Ice a deter
mined effort to hnd natural gas near this
city
Mr.. Stewart is not going into the bust
ness of finding natural gas, but as it VIII
be impossible 10 set company at once
which viii drm in THIS vicinity. it was
decided thai this was the best step
which could be taken by the city. The
council considered the mater carefully
before its passage. The ordinance which
vas adopted provI~ed every safeguard
for the city.
The proposition which was made by
RACES & Co. who found gas at Winfield.
L. the committee Whicn was sent TO that
city from Wichita, was that The COM
pany would find gas near Wichita Tor
Sl5,00o If TO gas was found, the city
was not to pay 4 cent The proposition
gems to be fair one. ana for this rea-
son It was adopted.
Since the proposition was mace by
RACES & Co. IT has been found that there
arc enough men in the city Who would
PUT up the money TO guarantee the
amount necessary TO the company doing
the drilling. As the council cannot allow
money without an ordinance. it is nee
essary that some other action be taken.
The simple statement OF the case is
that several business men have agreed to
stand behind Mr.. Stewart ia the matter.
and they have also agreed 10 see that the
council would call the election for bonds.
The bonds not TO be turned over unless
Eaa was found. There are several banks
IL the city which have agreed to guar
oEtee the trustee and these banks nave
the guarantee of some of the best bust
ness men in the city. The well is to pro-
duce 100000 cubic feet per day.
1t vas also decided that if gas was
found 10y the company by June I, 1888.
the city should have charge Of it upon
paying the price asked. $4,000, and should
own the wells.
When the council met last night the
mayor called upon Mr.. Belew. WHO was
chairman Of the committee appointed 10
investigate the natural gas at Winfield,
for his report
i think I could do no better" said Mr.
Rellew. than TO ask that the city after
ney Eead an ordinance which the com
nittee recommends.
City Attorney Helm said that he had no
report to make other than the ordnance
-hich had been prepared.
Mr.. Luins objected TO the consideration
81 the ordinance because there was not
a fun attendance OF the council. He said
that he considered that consideration Of
the ordinance by all of the members was
necessary. as it was a very important
matter to the city. lie also asked some
questions regarding the matter which re-
quired some time TO explain He then
moved that the consideration OF the ordi-
nance be postponed This brought up a
discussion.
c. J.. Davidson SAID: The banks tried
+ devise some means which would come
yithin the desire of the council which
would prevent personal liabilities This is
the best scheme which has been proposed.
The council cannot be blamed Il this plan
fails II We have natural gas We are
saved the expense OF election. II nat, the
city is out nothing. In order to prevent
the expense Of one or two elections. we
have decided upon this plan. / am in
favor Of the city owning the gas plant,
g. we can get natural gas.
lie said that he favored. however. that
a bond should be given to protect the city,
and added that he had received q letter
from the attorney of the company which
was driilirs at Winfield. and that he had
stated that the well there had been tested
and that 1t showed flow eff one million
and q quarter feet per day. and that they
would turn the wen over 10 the city Of
Winfield II the flow held ZIP for six more
DAYS. And the attorney added. he said.
that if there was nothing done tonight
by the council they would make con-
tract with some other city"
Mr.. Davidson said that some action
should be taken at once. because the city
would not again have as favorable propo-
sition as the one which had been made.
AR Isley said thar the matter should
Be considered at once. ana agreed with an
the statements OF Mr. Davidson
AIR smith also favored Immediate ac-
ton re said that now vas the proper
time for the council 10 pass an ordinance
which would make it poss' bic for the city
e. have natural gas. He said that Il
there was gas ia this section Of the coun-
try Il should come 10 Nichitl. and not
b. allowed 10 benefit the small towns
where The SIS was found. I'VE may neg
find gas here" he said. but the only
thing for This town 10 do is 10 get the
drilling going. We can find gas n ths
o. the Flint Hills We do not want any
town 10 have the best of U.s.
Mr. Luling said that DE did rot want
e. throw any obstacle fin the way of the
gas project. but he aid th.aE that ala tho
council should be present when the matter
VAS considered. ana that fer this reason
b thought the matter should be put oG
Until al members could be present and
consider the matter.
Mr.. Bellew said he thought the PROPOSE
tson was the best which had ever been
presented 70 the city we have talked
with The BANKS and legal men of The city.
and have finally decided as q coumittee
that il is TIE only way in-which We caa
rush the business. We have 10 hurry
matters and can do * only in this wav-
Mr. Stewart was called fa- ana sa.d th--
a. trieste OF the company he had ne rer-
senal Interest in the matter further thaa
any other man who was Interested @ abe
city. - am simply standing rs trustee
both for the banks who back the matter
and for the city. I am not fgdrinS on
making any profit on this az all bat
have the interests Of the city at heart.
end ! believe that nine-teaths OF the