The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-17

To fight to the last ditch the individuals
who are believed to be planning the
wrecking CT the Consumers Gas trust
Company for their own profit. the Gas Con-
sumers' League was organized last night at
remarkable mass meeting of IndiaDap-
clis's most representative citizens In Ma
sonic Hall.
The scope and purpose of the organiza-
ton are clearly outlined in the foregoing
resolution, adopted by the meeting with
thunderous unanimity. The names signed
to the resolution are those of citizens: who
are In the forefront of civic life. In their
hands will lie the completion of the details
of organization, the election of president,
a treasurer. a secretary. and the forrnula-
ton of a policy and course of action. these
matters will be taken up within few days
at meeting of this general committee.
The mass meeting, which was attended by
perhaps 800 men whose ne mes stand fer the
best in the life of the city, was a fine dem
onstration of public spirit and civic tnsel-
fishness. Almost every side of business
and professional life was brilliantly. rep
resented. Every man was in hearty SYM
pathy with the broad purpose of the meet
ing-to devise a way to save the Consumers
Gas Trust Company for the people. The
adoption of the resolution forming the Gas
Consumers League, is believed to bs the
first step toward the rout of the con9pira-
tors and the victory of the people. /
The mere announcement that 500 men, more
or less. were present does not accurately
describe the size of the gathering. Those in
attendance represented more than is COM
mon in public meetings. They appeared for
the whole city; their voices were raised for
the whole city. Their enthusiasm and
spirit were big enough for meeting of
$1,000. Not a discordant note marresi the
proceedings. The meeting was character
lied by all the warmth and enthusiasm OF
a tremendous political gathering ami the
calm, clear. direct and forceful proceedings
of the meeting Of the board OF directors
of a great corporation. In this. perhaps.
the auguries of success are best founsi-en-
thusiasm combined with business methods.
When Alfred F. Potts, at o'clock. stepped
TO the front of the hall and placed in nomi-
nation the name of Herman Lieber for chair
man of the meeting the applause was in
spiring to those animated by the purpose for
which they were gathered The nomi aation
was accepted I'm storm OF ayes, AMI Mr..
Iieber assumed the chair. The name ef Col
Charles E. Merrifield was proposed for tsecre-
tary and IL was also received with applause
HERMAN LIEBER'S SPEECH:
Mr.. Lieber who has been large stock
holder In the Consumers Gas Trust, Com
pany since its formation. made brief
speech setting forth plainly his own views
He was interrupted a number OF tin.es by
demonstrations Of approval. Mr.. sAeber
said:
"In a community like ours questor:s will
sometimes arise which are not only OF
general interest, but will affect the welfare
OF everybody. The one regarding tho Con
sumer's Gas Trust Is one OF those. To my
simple mind there is only one side to 1t
notwithstanding that our able legas fra
ternity will try to find another one; The
one / can see is positive right against
a positive wrong.
Jas far as the moral aspect OF this issue
is concerned, there cannot be any .doub,
in anybodys mind but that per cent. OF
their original investment Is owing so the
stockholders of the Consumers Gas Trust
and absolutely all there is of the plant
and the business to the people of Iadian-
apolis
laws are built on common sense. nhould
this case turn out otherwise, then; IL Is
about time that they are changed.
by forming the Consumers Gas .Trus,
| we have proven to ourselves. as WELL as tc
people outside OF Indianapolis. that capital
| Is not near so dangerous as some think II
an intelligent community combines ayiinsi
| It, Ii Is not necessary Tor me 10 pstnt tc
| the many advantages we have had FIR the
| last fifteen years through this organiza.
tion. Shall we stop now. or shall We carr,