The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-13
Preparations VIII BE Made to Fight
for Salvation of Consumers' Gas
Trust Company I'm the Courts.
EMINENT ATTORNEYS OPINIONS
FORMER JUDGES ELLIOT, HOWE AND
WALKER FOR THE PEOPLE.
Their Opinion Is Diametrically Op-
vfsers-Directors Meet To-day.

To formulate plan to save the Con-
sumers Gas Trust Company for the people.
a mass meeting Of consumers, citizens and
who are opposed to the wreck
ing tactics of the management has been
called for next Monday night, at 1880. in
Masonic Hall. The call was issued yes
terday afternoon by Alfred F. Potts, who
has voiced the cause of the public all along.
Mr.. Potts believes that the citizens are
so thoroughly aroused that Masonic Hall
will be packed Monday night. He thinks
the time Is ripe for an organization OF
consumers and citizens which will be able
to make a powerful fight for the preserva-
tion of the company. number of the
most prominent citizens have been invited
to address the meeting, among whom are
several of the trustees and directors. Mr..
Potts has asked several of the citys most
eminent lawyers to talk before the meeting,
and the legal status of the Consumers Gas
Trust Company will be discussed as well
as the moral aspect of the case.
ORGANIZE FOR FIGHT
An organization will be completed for
the purpose of standing up for the rights
of the people in whatever may develop.
Mr.. Potts believes that the people will
tain justice, and he thinks that an organ
ization composed of thousands of citizens
will be able to make a more effectual fight
than individuals Another important rea-
son for the organization of forces is the
financial side Of the matter. 1t may cost
a small fortune to hire the best legal ad-
visers and carry on an expensive campaign
in the courts. but whatever sum necessary
will be easily raised by means of the or
ganizaiion IL is thought.
Every citizen who has an interest in
saving the Consumers Gas Trust Company
for the public is urged to be present at the
meeting next Monday night.
A special meeting of the new board of
directors will be held this morning at 10:3O
o'clock. 1t will be for the purpose of COM
pleting the reorganization, of considering
the advisability of paying the stockholders
the per cent. yet due them, and such
other matters as may be brought before
the board. The tie vote for treasurer be-
tween Frederick Fahnley. backed by the
supported by Maj W. j. Richards and the
new electors. will be decided. 1t Is almost
certain that Mr.. Fahnley will be reelected,
because the surprising stand taken by A.
a. Barnes gives the old regime. a working
majority. Major Richards and the other
directors who stand for the peoples rights
hope that Mr.. Barnes may come to take
the proper stand, but fear that he has
allied himself too closely with the FrenZel
ring. The meeting of the board this morn
ing should De an intensely interesting SeS-
sion. The recent meeting of the board
was so stormy that some of the dignified
members only stopped short of blows.
OPINION FOR THE PEOPLE.
Three of the most capable lawyers in the
State yesterday returned an opinion to
the status and the rights and duties of
the Consumers Gas Trust and other points
bearing on the situation. The opinion is
almost diametrically opposed to that re-
turned at the request of the trustees by
Messrs. Smith, Hackney and Daniels. For
mer Judge Byron X. Elliott OF the SUI
preme Court, and former Judges Daniel
Wait Howe and Lewis c. Walker. of the
Superior Court, take a view of the case
quite irreconcilable with that of the trus-
tees legal advisers One of the principal
findings of these gentlemen is that the con-
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