The Saint Paul globe., 1903-12-05
REGISTER A PROTEST
AGAINST FRANCHISE
West End of Fifth Ward Inn
provement Association Want
Reversion Clause.

The undue haste of the present city
council In its efforts to grant the gas
company's franchise leads to the suspic-
lon that there is something doing be-
tween the gas company and the coun-
Gil, and / believe the members of this as
soclatlon should join in with other citi-
zens in demanding that the granting Of
such franchise be postponed until after
the next spring election at least"
Thls was the statement made by John
+. Selb at the meeting of the West End
Improvement Association of the Fifth
Ward, last night and it met with the en-
thusiastic approval of the members, as
indicated in the adoption by unanimous
vote of the following resolution, embody-
ing the sentiments expressed:
whereas, The common council of the
city OF St Paul is about to vote upon
an oro1nance granting the St. Paul Gas
1iSht company a franchise for a period of
twenty -nVe years, to furnish and supply
gas and electricity for light and other
purposes; and
Whereas, The corpora tion attorney of
the City Of st. Paul has heretofore sub
m1tted to the said common council the
dfaft or proposed ordinance which con-
talned, among other things, the follow
1. Section 10 of said proposed ordi-
nance providing in substance for the
right of the city to purchase the plant
OF the grantee in said ordinance at it's
1, 19l2, but that the city will not at
Tempt to exercise its rights in this be-
haIf oftener than once in every five
years.
2 Section % of said proposed ordi-
nance providing in substanc that the
equipments and all pipes, tunnels and
fo Gfonoelts. upon or under the public streets,
lanes and alleys of the city of ST. Paul
sHould revert to the city, free and clear
OF any right, claim, lien incumbrance or
charge whatsoever, with further provis-
acSeNtc
improvements made within the last ten
years OF its franchise, and
whereas, 1t Is. reported that these pro-
Visions are not acceptable by the gas
company, and are to be omitted from
the FRANCHISE about to be granted; and
whereas, These provisions are of vital
Importance to the city of St. Paul. and
II Incorporated in the gas franchise the
city viii be greatly benefited thereby.
thaI at the expiration of the said fran
cnlSe or twenty-five years the said CITY
as owner OF all equipments of the pub
nc streets, will be in a position to in
duce competitors to bid upon the light
ing privilege. for short term contracts
@ and receive Tor such privileges an annual
rental or Such concessions as will creat tIv
reduce the cost of gas to the municipalitv
ana consumer; now therefore
IS resolved, by the West End I'm
TleoI RTIloYelIleht menu association Of the Fifth Ward,
1haC we are in favor of the incorporat ton
4 q the above provisions in and to be made
part OF any ordinance passed bv the
common council of the city Of St Paul,
granting unto any person or persons. q
lighting franchise, and be it
further resolved, That copy of these
resolutions be sent to the president of
each branch of the common council and
mat copy thereof be sent to the city
1t was decided before the adjournment
OF the meeting that the members of the
association should take an active inter
est in the franchise matter, and it was
agreed that all members should attend
the next meeting of the council and pro-
test against any unfavorable action