Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-11-10

The Colburn company has with
drawn its offer to supply dollar gas
and now fixes the ate at $1.50 a
thousand cubic feet. The company
speaks OF the benefits that 1t is GO
Ing to bring to the city. of the rail
road 1t will build, OF the coke
1t will build and 1t Is understood that
a number of individuals in the coun
ell and on the outside of, II have re-
ceived the condolences of members OF
the company regarding other enter.
prises that are contemplated. II Is
said that the company Is developing
a plan, which II tie people knew,
would make the granting Of a gas
franchise a certainty. Well. 1t Is the
peoples business and the people ought
to know.
II Is known that the Colburn inter
ests are surveying a narrow gnage
railroad into the Mineral Hill district;
that they expect to develop the coal
areas Of htat locality, that they antici
pate establishing coke ovens IN Las
Vegas. This Is good news. The PEG
ple will be glad to welcome this en-
terprise. But the gas franchise Is an
other story.
We have interviewed a considerable
number Of leading citizens Of Las
Vegas and we believe we represent
their sentiments correctly when We
a that the question OF a gas fran
chise should stand on Its OWL founda
tion. II other enterprises are planned
by the company which asks fer a gas
franchise, they will ccme because they
promise returns. II because OF these
enterprises gas can be furnished to
better advantage, well and good, bni
the people should know all about II
And the company not the city mus
take the risk Of the other enterprise
and predicate the success Of the one
upon the success of the other, II thai
Is necessary.
The city wishes to and ought &c
di, orce the gas proposition from n
other.
Here Ia what concerns them. There
are four companies that are willing tc
bind themselves to establish a gas
franchise In Las Vegas, II terms which
they conceive 10 be favorable are Sc
cured. Irrespective of other consider
atoms, the city wants to make the
best terms 1t can for securing an AIDE.
quate supply OF the best possible gas
at the least money. Nothing else Is at
issue and the council which represents
the people has no right to consider
ANYTHING else In the premises.
We have not the slightest bias IN
favor of any Of the four companies
that are willing to furnish the city o
gas plant. n we had we wouldn't al
low It to interfere with our belief
that the best gas for the least money
With Troper protection for the CITY
Ia the argument that should win.
The people do not vet know all they
went to about the matter and unit
they DO. the council should grant nc
franchise. Mr.. COlburn and associates
offer to furnish gas at a dollar and e
half q thousand. Mr.. Hoke and as.
sociates offer gas at the same figure
W. A. Buddecke and associates are
willing to put In a gas plant under
a satisfactory franchise. Perry
Heath and associates have inves'igat
cd the field and also are willing tc
apply for a franchise II the ones now
before the council do not prove accep
tible.
The residents Of the city want GOOD
gas: they want gas as cheap rs pos
sible, they want an adequate aad cor
slant supply. they want g bit OF
he plant and machinery aud all the
pines installed to be passed favorabiy
u by experts. they want adequate
protection of the city against loss and
accidents. they want to be certain
hat. once the franchise is granted.
he project will be carried out and
,%erpetuated, they want as short al