The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-14
Will OFFER
BIG REWARD
10 the Company That First
Discovers Gas
in VICINITY OF WICHITA
Council Decides That This Is
the Best "a ay.
IN VICINITY OF WICHITA

The members of the city council are of
the opinion that the suggestion made by
G. L. Davidson, to offer a reward for
the firm that first finds gas near this
city, is a good one and at special meet
ing of the council yesterday afternoon
the following report and resolution was
adopted:
Your committee appointed to make
contract with RACES & Company of Win
field, Kansas to prospect for gas in and
about Wichita, or in event that no salts
factory contract could be made with
them to negotiate with other parties,
submit the following report and recon-
mendations:
RACES & Company insisted upon the
following conditions, which were not sat
isfactory:
"First-No definite time for commence
ing work.
Second-Money TO be deposited in Win
field bank.
Third-The required amount of gas 10
be produced from well or wells
In undertaking to induce other parties
to prospect fer gas the objection was
raised that Wichita intended TO control
the sale of gas within the city, conse-
quently there was no adequate considera-
ton for prospecting this field. and no
one, not even our business men, could be
interested in any plan to develop this
field Therefore. we recommend that the
following resolutions be passed by this
council:
Whereas, in order that the city of
Wichita may control, for the benefit of its
citizens, any natural gas that may be
found within the city of Wichita, and at
the same time parties may have some
Involvement to prospect this field without
feeling that if valuable gas field is
found they will receive no compensation
for their discovery; therefore,
Resolved. That the city of Wichita
offer a reward of twenty thousand dol
lars 1200OO to the person, firm corpo-
ration first delivering TO the city a gas
well that viii flow one million feet or
more per day for ten days on usual test
within eight miles of the corporate limits
of the city of Wichita. on lands leased
by the city, or $4,000 for well of 1000
or $1,000 for well OF $4,000 cubic feet
and less than 100000 cubic feet within
the same territory and under the same
test: Provided. that said reward will
only be paid for one such well and the
first furnished: That if oil, coal or other
mineral is found, the city will make no
claim thereto, and for the purpose of fur
Their prospecting for gas, oil, coal or
other minerals, the Leases acquired by the
city TO be at the service of the parties
furnishing the gas well as provided here
with, the city reserving all right under
the leases for gas
In event that the city does not pay the
reward offered herewith as q premium
within ninety days after the well is test
ed, the mayor and council hereby indi-
vidually pledge themselves to vote for a
reasonable franchise to be given to par
ties finding the first well as above de-
ecrbed''
Mayor Mclean called the meeting for
4 o'clock, and all the councilmen except
Luling and Pierce We're present The
mayor was called away before the meet
ing began and c. L. Davidson presided
MIR. Davidson had prepared the forego-
ing report and recommendation with the
advice of the city attorney.
Some minor amendments were discussed
but it was decided that the resolution
was in as good shape as it could be made,
and was passed.
The members of the council discussed
the matter thoroughly. Most of the mem
bers were in favor of giving RACES & Co.
q show. as they had made the first prop
osition, but as the company did not ap-
pear to be willing 10 consider any prop
ositions made by the committee from the