The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-11
NEW GAS FRANCHISE.
1t Requires The City to Buy All Gas
Used From ]. A. Bower.
From Saturdays Daily.

rum Shtuiuoy Dohy'
The ordinance granting a gas fran
chise to j. A. Bower is in substance as
follows:
Section one gives him and his asso-
ciates, successors or assigns the right
to construct, enlarge, maintain, operate
and own gas works in the city, to lay
pipes and mains i'll the streets, alleys and
public grounds, to acquire and hold real
|estate, to manufacture, store, conduct
and purify gas, to erect and maintain
plants, tanks and lamp posts. He can
enter any street or alley, take up any
pavement or sidewalk, with the least
practical inconvenience to the people.
The excavations are to be guarded and
lighted whenever necessary, and the
streets and alleys, etc., are to be re-
stored to their original condition by
Bower All damages caused by such ex-
cavations are to be paid by the grantee,
who shall also be liable for any Judgment
or property caused by the construction
or repair of the gas works.
Section two provides that the gas
works shall be completed and ready for
operation within twelve months from the
acceptance of the franchise otherwise the
| franchise be forfeited. Unavoidable de-
lays will work an extension of time.
Section three gives the grantee power
to make and enforce all reasonable rules
and regulations governing the supplying
| of gas to consumers.
Section four requires the grantee to
conform to all reasonable rules and regu-
lations of the council to prevent unneces-
sary injury to the streets, sidewalks,
etc. The pipes and connections shall be
laid below the established grade of the
streets, alleys, etc. The city shall es-
tablish the grade wherever these are to
be placed. The grantee shall not inter
I fere with any water pipes, sewers or
other property of the city.
| Section five limits the price to be
charged for gas of standard commercial
quality to one dollar net for one thou
sand cubic feet for gas, except that fif-
teen per cent may be added if the con-
sumner does not pay his bill when due.
Meters are to be read and collections
made monthly.
| Section six provides that Bower shall
erect on the line of the mains lamps and
and lamp posts at such places as the
city may designate, and shall light and
extinguish all street lights And in con-
sideration of the maintenance of the
gas works in the city, the city agrees to
purchase for the period of five years all
of the gas which shall be used by the
city at regular consumers prices.
| Section seven provides that the fran
chise shall continue for twenty-five
years.
| Section eight includes the penalty
clause for interfering with or maliciously
injuring any part of the gas plant. The
| fine is placed at from 81 to $25, or i'm
prisonment for from one to thirty days.
Section nine provides that the grantee,
his associates, successors or assigns shall,
| within thirty days after the passage of
the ordinance, file written acceptance of
| the same, together with bond guaran-
teeing the completion of the works in
the manner and within the time specified,
| in the office of the city recorder, other
wise the ordinance shall be null and void.
Section ten is merely technical, but
section eleven allows the grantee, ETC., to
borrow money and to mortgage, lease,
sell or assign its franchise and any and
all of its property or property rights in
the city.
Section twelve rcpeals all ordinances
conflicting with the provisions of this
ordinance.