The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-05
Major w. J.. Richards Believes the
Board VIII Decide to Adhere to
the Original Agreement.
OBSTACLES CAN BE REMOVED
LEGISLATURE AND CITY COUNCIL
CAN CORRECT LEGAL DEFECTS.
Cooperation of the Public In
ing a New Plant Would He Essen
t~iaI-Meeting To-day.

That the new board of directors of the
Consumers Gas Trust Company, which
meets to-day to organize. will take action
leading to the carrying out of the original
agreement, the continuance of the company
as a manufacturer of artificial gas for the
use of the people of Indianapolis. is the
belief of Major w. ]. Richards. one of the
four new directors elected by the trustees
Tuesday.
Major Richards is firm in the belief that
faith with the public is paramount, and
that with patience, energy. and co-opera-
ton on the part of the people, the affairs
of the company can be brought to such
shape that it may be turned into an arti-
fetal gas company to serve the consumers
with gas at the lowest possible rate. Legal
technicalities may stand in the way at the
present time, he recognizes. such as the
necessity for legislative enactments and a
new franchise grant from the City Council,
but nothing would be simpler than to go to
the next Legislature or to the City Council
and secure such action as would be neces-
sary for the new function of the company.
FEELING is STRONG.
II believe that the feeling of the public
regarding the continuance of the Consum-
ers' Gas Trust Company as a manufacturer
of artificial gas is stronger now than It
was when the Standard Oil Company tried
to hold us up years ago. 1 believe that the
public Is so thoroughly in earnest, so thor
oughly appreciative of the possibilities for
good in the continuance of the company,
that 1t would not refuse 10 do its part In
financing the artificial plant"
me new directors will outline the future
DOlCV OF the COmnanV 1f the meeting TO-
day. IL is thought. The board will be reor-
ganlzed and a president, secretary and
treasurer elected. 1t is probable that five
or the board, a majority, will favor the
conversion of the company into an artificial
gas company, providing that the financing
OF the concern appears feasible. In addi-
ton to the four new directorS-Henry G.
Atkins, w. j. Richards, Hervey Bates, jr.,
and James w. Lilly-One of the old direc-
tors. A Barnes. has expressed himself in
favor OF the continuance of the company to
carry out the wishes Of the public.
PUBLIC OPINION.
Expressions of public opinion on the legal
advice given the trustees indicates that the
general belief is that too much has been
made of what would seem to be technicali-
ties that could easily be corrected by the
next Legislature or the City Council. Many
lawyers do not concur in the opinion that
the consumers do not have any rights in
the assets or the business of the company.
1t is also stated that high courts would not
fail to take cognizane of the original agree
ment as TO the purpose and activities of
the company. an agreement which even the
opponents Of the artificial gas project do
not deny.
James W. Lilly. one of the new directors,
believes the original agreement should be
carried out and favors 6-cent artificial gas,
10 be manufactured by the Consumers
company. Henry e. Atkins a new director.
favors the continuance of the service as
long as possible-an artificial gas service.
Hervey Bates has not yet decided whether
to accept the position of director. He IA
vors changing the plant into an artificial
gas plant and believes the interest of the
people in the concern is amo
Old directors who were reelected refused,
with one exception, yesterday to express
opinions on the subject. John Z. Scott
stated that he is in favor of referring the
future policy of the company to the stock
holders for their vote.