Bisbee daily review., 1905-08-09
THE GAS FRANCHISE
 IS APPLIED FOR
CITY COUNCIL FORWARDED WITH REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL PRIVI- LEGES COVERING PERIOD OF 25 YEARS.

Last evening the seekers after frar- chises at the hands of the city fathers of Douglas occupied front seats at the regular meeting of the council. which convened in the city hall on Tenth street, with all members present ex- cept Alderman Haas. Mayor c. A. Ov- erlOck presided. As a result of the meeting two franchise. propositions were thrown into the legislative hop per and are to be ground out at the next meeting. The Douglas street rail way asks for a blanket franchise. GOV ering practically all the streets and public squares in the city. which is to endure for the next twenty-fiyc years. In the petition to the council. praying for the passage of the street railway ordinance. the company stipu- lated that none of their rights already accrued. within the city limits. should De deemed forfeited The maximum fare proposed to be charged between points in the city is placed at five cents one way, and the present line in operation is to be converted to electric lty and the tracks extended on certain streets at once, provided the franchise is granted
 Closely following the reference of the street railway franchise ordinance to the committee on streets and alleys. the city clerk produced another appli- cation for franchise. This time it was for gas privilege and the appli- cants are J. NJ. Sparks, F. s. Douglas and H. B. Calisher, who desire to lay gas pipes and erect a gas plant within | the city limits for period of twenty | Llve years. The petitioners agree to | charge no more than S2 per thousand | feet for gas. and at the expiration of l fifteen years the city of Douglas shall | nave the option to purchase the plant. | he price for the same to be determin- sd by arbitration. Tn return for the wenty-five year franchise the peti- toners agree to furnish gas free for lght and fuel for the public schools of he city and also for the city hall.
 At the conclusion of the reading of |. he gas ordinance franchise, J. M. parks, one of the petitioners, address the council and stated that from i hat he had learned in California. dur g recent visit, he was prepared
 state that by the operation of a gas ant in Douglas, the fuel bill for con mers would be cut one-half The 1 |
 
 the street committee without dis | lssion. In the event that the council | | asses the ordinances at their next eeting, the propositions must be pub shed in full and submitted to a vote I the qualified voters of the city for | leir approval. The council passed a law regulating he width of sidewalks in certain parts f the city and the manner of their obstruction.
 The first steps were also taken to- 7ard the election of a city hall The Hey adjoining the Copper Queen store Tas declared vacated by the city and n exchange the Copper Queen compa- " agreed to make a deed to the city or a lot having a frontage of 35 feet n Tenth street. which is deemed sui icient for the building of a city hall. | room for a fire department. l ouncil room, marshal's office, cala- ,oose, etc. The plans will call for a wo story building
 Steps have been taken already look ng to the purchase by the city of bet CT fire equipment and the Fl Paso & Southwestern railroad company has greed to transport the equipment free f charge from Fl Paso to Douglas.
 The street lighting proposition was lso up for discussion. It was estimat- d that the city could be lighted in a mall way for the sum of sl62 per month. This question was taken un- Ter advisement until the next meet ng.
 The bills for the preceding month we're audited last evening and ordered ,afd