The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-26
HOLIDAYS PLEA.
Argues I'm Favor OF the New Gas
Franchise.
Says People Would Save $15,-
goo q Year.
TALK OFNATURAL GAS.
Says That 1t IL Sure to Come
I'm Topeka.
Will Force Further Reduction
Of Rates.


before the eyes of the city council last
night a tempting prize for the passage
of the proposed new gas franchise He
said:
What will be the effect of the pass
age of this cheap gas ordinance? 1t
will have the immediate effect of saw
ing the people of Topeka $4,000 a year
in gas bills. Not only that, but just as
sure as day follows night, it will compel
a reduction in the rates charged by. the
Edison Electric Light company. 1t is
bound to come. We have no fight with
the Edison company; they are friends
| of ours, but this is a business PROPOSE
| ton, and we are engaging in legitimate
| competition. Suppose the Edison COM
pany does twice the business in Topeka
| that We do, it will have to make the
same reduction in rates that the gas
company makes and that means a saw
ing of $50, 900 more to the people of To-
peka in electric light bills. Isn't saw
ing of $4,000 a year worth consider
ing?''
One of the propositions considered by
the councilmen last night was the pro-
bable effect of the discovery of natural
gas on the manufactured gas company.
In reply to a question, Mr.. Holiday
said:
This franchise runs for 80 years,
! Within fifteen, ten, five, yes, 1 will say
two and one-half years, I am confident
here in Topeka. They have two wells
down at Ottawa only AZ miles from
here, which are spouting 100000 feet
of gas a day. I am interested in one
company at Big Springs, IL miles from
here, which is certain to get gas, and
in another still closer to town which
has just as good as got it. What will
this do to the manufactured gas COM
pany? AS a matter of course it will re-
duce rates. The gas company can not
compete with natural gas. 1t must eth
err develop it's own wells, combine with
somebody who has wells, or go out of
business. That's the plain fact of the
case"
AS a matter of fact it seems likely
that the Excelsior Coke & Gas company
is not unmindful of the natural gas
possibility, and is in position to get
in on the ground floor of any natural
gas proposition which may develop.
President Holiday himself is the chief
promoter of the natural gas prospect
ing in this locality, and perhaps he is
acting in behalf of the Excelsior Coke
& Gas company.
Il pledge you my word, that 1 will
vote for any gas franchise which may
hereafter be brought before this cOun-
Gill; said Mr.. Holiday, when question
ed regarding possible &Dmpetition for
the manufactured gas industry.
If Mr.. Holidays representations are
fulfilled, it is hard to see where there
would be any profit in it for the COM
pany to make extensive improvements
MISUNDERSTANDING
natural gas only two years in the fu-
ture.
The meeting of the streets and walks
committee, called for last night to talk
over the proposed $1.25-$1.35 gas fran
chise was a failure from a business
standpoint, as only three members of
the committees. A. Swendson, G. K.
Holiday and J. c. Shimer-were pres
ent. This was not a quorum, and no
business was done. Councilmen Howe.
Green, Hughes, Nellis and Griley at
tended the session, as did also Mayor
Bergundthal, City Attorney Spencer
and City Engineer McCabe. The meet
ing resolved itself into informal
free-for-all discussion of the proposed
franchise.
City Attorney Spencer first talked to
the council on some of the legal phases
of the proposed ordinance.
In my opinion, he said, there is no
doubt that by passing this new ordinance
you wipe out the existing litigation with
the gas COZ company re1gsarding the o dollar
pay. The city has already paid $500;
and the remainder of >. the o costs would
$1,000. This is thing to be considered.
The rate to be charged for gas is fixed
by the proposed ordinance, and do not
think that the council will be able to re-
duce the rate for 80 years; unless the
OF course you are free to admit Compel
ing companies, and competing companies
Nor do L think it would be valid, as
has been suggested, to provide that the
d
the gross earnings of the company. The
city charter act fixes Speciihfca ny what ma
and don't believe we can get around
Councilman Hughes asked Mr.. Spencer |
what chance there would be of beating
the gas company in the pending ltiga-
ton. He said:
cuss just now The individual members |
of the council know what I think about !!
It IS an open secret with the council |
that Mr.. Spencer has not been very |
believer in the dollar gas
proposition from legal standpoint. There |
is good show, perhaps, that Judge HOOK
special master, which We're, it is claimed,
very erroneous in some particulars Per
such a result and is therefore anxious to
have this proposed new gas ordinance
adopted. It looks little suspicious Isl S;k{a %
the reading of the gas franchise ordi-
nance. section by section, and made
ed. Mr. Holiday explained at considera-
bic length the companys position, his
printed tti int in the State Journal of Monday
in the form of an interview with Mr.
MIR. Holiday offered to put up a cash
bonds that the company would spend $lfo,-
so offered to extend the time for paying
gas bills to secure the 10 cent rebate,
greed 10 to 10 have 10 Gays It Crowded that the co
pany should file with the city engineer a
plat of all its present and proposed mains
seemed willing to meet most of the minor
objections of the councilmen, but he stood
firm on the original demand for a late
of 81 IS with 10 cent rebate, and 30-year
term for the franchise. These are really
the main points at ISSUE
The meeting adjourned without any ac-
ton. to meet again on the call of the
chairman 1t is likely that a meeting will
be held the latter part of this week, so
that the committee can make some sort
Of a report to the council next Monday
night.
John H. Davlin, Houston-Was all run
nothing did me anv 5ood until