The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-19
GAS
STEAL GOES THRU
Scenes of Wild Disorder Mark
Passage of Bill Giving City
Plant Away.

Philadelphia, May 19.-Amid scenes
of disorder unprecedented in the annals
of Philadelphia s legislative body the
city council last night voted to lease
the city's gaswerks to the United I'm
provement company for seventy-fve
years for $25,000,0O0, the money TO be
paid in various amounts before the end
of 1907. Council chambers and COM
mitteerooms were crowded with excited
citizens, protesting against the lease to
the Gas Improvement company, from
pm, when the proceedings opened in
the finance committeeman, until after
8 pm, when the select council passed
the bill and sent it to the mayor.
The climax was reached when the
vote in the common council was an
nounced after three hours of debate.
The moment President George Nc
Curdy of the common council announced, j
the vote, great protest was started
in the gallery, which was crowded to the
doors. From all over the gallery came
Kisses and cries Of thieves
Sent Police to Gallery.
The outburst was somewhat startling
to the presiding officer, who made a
vain effort to quiet it. Finally he sent
for squad of police to clear the gal
lery, which started the disorder anew.
The crowd continued to hiss and call
the councilmen thieves and other names
| until the police arrived and started to
clear the gallery. AS the crowd moved
out the angry citizens derisively sang
galleries there were several passages
between the police and the crowd.
Turnout the proceedings there was
much disorder. In the select council
there were so many speakers that no
one dared to interrupt the proceedings
There was neither cheer nor hiss
when the bill passed that body.
Scared Into Amendment.
The opposition to the passage Of the
bill resulted in the common council
amending the measure so as to provide
for slight reduction in the price of
gas. The amendment provides that tho
price of gas from the date of the lease
until Jan. l, 1911, shall be 81 a thou
ent rate; from 1911 to 1921, IS cents;
from 1921 to 1896, 90 cents; from 1886
to 1868, IS cents, and thereafter until
the expiration Of the lease in 1880, 80
cents.
Mayor Weaver has announced him
, self as unalterably opposed to the lease
: and in favor of postponement of
action until 1907, when. the first ten
to the United GAS I'm rovement CON-
pany will expire. At that time the
city has the right to take back the
works on payment to the gas company
Of the amount Of money expended on
improvements.
Veto Will Not Avail:
Mayor Weaver is expected to veto
the bill. In that event both chambers
will probably pass it over his veto.
The vote in common council was ID
to s and in select council 81 to 8
There is only one democrat in eacl
body, and both voted against the lease
Gall to Arms.
The committee Of nine has issued the
4 following statement:
:. To the Citizens of Philadelphia: You
A received today from your councilrnen the
! greatest affronti ever given to the people
d of any great city. Despite reason anl
a respect for the rights of the people, the
4 city councils voted to confer upon cor.
; poration the unhampered control of you
4 gas works. Your committee, appointed by
4 your own meeting, now calls upon you
a First-To awaken to your injuries
A which are
\ A-Insult to your declared opinion ant
B the expressed wish Of your mayor asking
4 for delay.
B-Theft Of your property.
Z C-Enslavement for three generations
q to a gas monopoly.
, Second-To rise in your might and b,
4 personal, unceasing effort make impossi
q BILE the contamination Of the creates
d steal ever attempted.
A-By assemblage in every ward, per
A sonal demand and pressure upon your 10
cal councilmen.
\ BY full and immediate use Of tn
4 cards and literature distributed by tn
d committee, as well as other forms o
L written protest.
\ C-By preparing for a great rally tina
4 will block the final attempt to compet
the conspiracy when. the ordinance
again considered after the mayor has We
\ toed it.