The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-15
MICHAEL SUBMITS
GAS FRANCHISE
1t Make Some Provisions Which
the Company Says 1t Could
Not Accept.
Features of New Gas Franchise ordi-

corporation Attorney MichaePs idea
OF what a gas franchise should be will
De submitted to the assembly this
evening. It's chief features are:
st. Paul Gas company's offer of a
5-cent reduction in the price of gas
each year until 1907, when 81 per thou
sand cubic feet shall be the maximum
rate, is incorporated.
city may reimburse itself for any
damage done to public streets from
money owing company for public serv-
ice.
No excavation in streets shall be
made without a permit obtained from
city engineer.
Right reserved to compel company to
remove or change any gas main, when
so desired, without cost to the city.
Ninety days after acceptance of or
dlnance company must provide city
with complete plan of it's underground
and surface work.
Right reserved to compel company
at any time to give bond of $50, 200 to
indemnify city in damage litigation.
Company must pay city per cent
of its gross earnings derived from all
sources.
Permission given company to attach
lO per cent penalty to insure prompt
payment of gas bills.
Minimum monthly charge fixed at 25
cents.
Dollar gas for municipal purposes to
begin next year.
Churches, church institutions and all
charitable institutions tributary to gas
mains to be entitled to service at one
half the regular price.
Coal gas to be not less than eighteen
| candle-power, and water gas not less
than twenty-five candle-pO
Company compelled to sell to public
generally without discrimination, at
| reasonable prices all surplus residuals.
such as coke, tar and by-products
In event Of dispute or no contract,
company not to arbitrarily put out
municipal lights.
In event of construction of munich
pal subway, to promptly remove its
pipes and mains to same without ex-
penSe to city.
City to have right during life of
franchise to regulate and control max
imum rates charged by company for
gas.
One year given for extension of
mains to st. Anthony and Manchester
Parks. All properties in district must
be served if demand is made.
Features of Gas company's Proposition
The st. Paul Gas Light company
few weeks ago submitted a franchise
which provided:
Company to have right for a period
| of twenty-five years, beginning Jan. 1,
1907, to use all streets, public lanes,
alleys and bridges, including any ter
ritory that may hereafter be added to
city in the distribution of gas for all
purposes.
All gas pipes, mains and tunnels to
be laid and constructed so as to not
interfere with surface of streets or
public travel.
Location Of such pipes, mains and
tunnels not to interfere with existing
underground construction.
Company must save city harmless
from loss or damage arising from the
exercise of any rights granted by city.
Company to pay city five per cent
Of gross earnings arising from enjoy
ment of franchise, also from any other
franchise enjoyed by company.
Beginning with Jan. 1, 1904, company
to reduce its price for gas to $1.15 per
thousand cubic feet and each year
thereafter until 1907 make further
reduction of cents, when the max
MUM charge shall be 81 per thousand
feet
Company entitled to attach penalty
of 20 cents for each thousand feet of
| gas consumed; to insure prompt pay.
ment of bills.
One dollar per month to be the mini
mum charge for gas in all cases.
Price to municipality for gas con-
| sumed not to exceed 81 per thousand
| feet.
Amount of gas consumed in street
| lamps to be ascertained by multiplying
| the number of hours of consumption by
| capacity per hour of burner used.
| Company to proceed with reasonable
| diligence to extend its gas mains to
| st. Anthony Park.
On petition company must extend
| it's mains to any district not now sup
piled, basis of necessity being at least
| one customer for every $50 feet of ex-
tension proposed.
construct more than ten miles of ex-
tension each year for municipal pur-
poses.
Right reserved to city to purchase
gas plant and equipment after Jan 1,
1912. Failure to buy will deprive city
Of further right until five years shall
have elapsed.
| Company may exact So meter de-
posit, but must pay six per cent in
terest on same either in money or by
! credit on monthly bill.
| Arrears of one customer shall not be
| chargeable to another when same prem
Uses are involved.
| Company must provide property con-
nections without expense to owner.
| Merging or pooling interests with
| competing companies not to be per-
mitted without consent of the council.
If not acquired for municipal pur-
| poses at time fixed by the ordinance,
gas plant and all equipment to become
! the property of the city at the expira
| ton of franchise free of any lien or
| incumbrance. City, however. to pay
appraised value of any underground
construction made within period Of ten
years prior to expiration of franchise.
| Company must renounce its conten-
| ton that its electric light rights are
without duration and permit same to
| be exercised only under the terms Of
| the new gas franchise to be granted.
| If company so elects, however, it may
| take new franchises on terms to be
| agreed upon with the council.
Will Be Submitted Tonight.
Tonight the assembly will receive
| from Corporation Attorney Michael the
draft of new ordinance continuing the
| corporate existence of the st Paul Gas
Light company for another twenty-five
years, beginning Jan. l, 1907.
| The draft, a copy of which is given
| in full, was made public yesterday and
| it was Immediately perused by MEM
bers of the council and others inter-
ested. Out of courtesy to the council
! Mr.. Michael demurred against making
| his Inea SIRE Dlblic until If had heeO Of