The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-15

There was a meeting Of both branches
| OF the city council in the city hall last
! evening IL was a special session. called
| by Mayor McNally for the purpose Of con-
| sfdering the petition or the Pawtucket
| Gas company for a l6-year exclusive gas
! franchise under conditions exactly like
those which have been granted In the
| city OF Pawtucket and which have been
accepted by the city council ano mayor.
There was meeting OF the members
of the two branches i'm the office OF the
city clerk previous to the regular meet
ing, and there. behind closed doors. the
provisions Of the proposed franchise were
talked over. Later the two branches met
| tn 3eint session -faEtAaE- alsea,ssian,
but when IL came 10 taking action the
members were informed by the city So
licitor that this would be illegal and that
whatever action is taken must be con-
current
This gathering however was really I'm
the nature OF a public hearing. and II
was addressed by several people. Judge
Thomas n. Lee. who stated that he rep
resented the William A. Harris Steam
Engine company. was there. and so also
was Il. Francis Crowell the secretary
and treasurer OF that corporation.
Both gentlemen opposed strenuously the
granting Of this franchise They declared
that the firm while not IN the business
OF making gas. was not ready TO see the
city bound by such n contract because
they believed IL was only an entering
wedge for something in the way OF an
electric light franchise at a later date.
and when II came 10 considering that
kind OF lighting the William A. Harris
Steam IL Engine company hoped to be
prepared to make a proposition
Judge Lee gave some interesting in
formation regarding the holdup Of the
amendment Of the charter OF their COM
pany by the last general assembly
There were also remarks by other citi-
zens Of the city and then there was an
adjournment without action
The meeting was called to order shortly
before o'clock by Mayor McNally and
Clerk Crawford read the proposition from
the Pawtucket Gas company. None OF
the members Of the city council appeared
TO want to talk, and an opportunity was
given Judge Lee TO address the two
branches.
He stated that he represented the
William A, Harris Steam e. Engine com
pany. which paid taxes in this city and
which hoped AT an early date to be ready
TO make proposition to the city He
In behalf OF his clients opposed the grant
ing of an exclusive franchise 10 the Paw
tucket corporation. He thought the fact
that Pawtucket had accepted II should
have no influence In Central Falls and
he hoped the members OF the CITY coun-
ell would not grab wildly at what perhaps
on the face Of IL seemed to he valua BILE.
but which In reality was nothing at ALL
He declared that the price which was
nxed In this proposed franchise would
permit the company to make profit at So
cents per thousand feet. He stated that
perhaps at some early date another gas
company might be located in the Black
1 lvf
granted Central Falls would not be I'm
position TO take advantage OF what II
might be able TO give. at least not for
period OF f5-years, He believed that
this is only n stepping stone 10 a propo-
sition for an electric light franchise and
here at least the clients which he repre-
sented were prepared to say something
definite.
Judge Lee then made some statements
regarding the action taken by the last
legislature. He declared that his clients
had endeavored to secure an amendment
10 their charter so that they could have
the right to furnish electricity TO the citv
OF Central Falls. and that the bill having
received the approval Of the house oom-
mittee on corporations and then having
passed the lower branch of the general
assembly. was held up IN the senate com
mittee on corporations He declared that
power which controlled n few of the legis-
lative committees SO that no important
legislation could pass until II was paid
for.
He declared that another year another
effort will be made TO secure the right
which was asked for last winter and he
hoped to succeed.
E. Francis Crowell, secretary and treas
urer OF the company also addressed
h.. alA afA Co.
utes. He said he wished the members 10
understand at the outset that his com
pany is not In the business OF furnishing
gas. and that II had no intention OF max
ing any proposition OF that character.
Furthermore Il is not acting on the
dog-in-the-manger" policy. but that II
believed as Judge Lee had stated, this is
simply an entering wedge, and therefore
1t should not be granted. He declared the
Pawtucket Gas company opposed tho
granting OF the amendment To the char
ter of the william A. Harris company.
and that II had been successful but he
believed another year the charter would
be granted
John Ii. Barber spoke at some length to
the members OF the council He opposed
the granting OF the franchise, and wanted
10 know what the result would be II the
Pewtucket Gas company furnished gas TO
the city Of Pawtucket for N.l0 and
charged Central Falls for the same gas
$40 He believed IL would amount to a
discrimination which would be In viola
tion OF the Sherman antitrust law and
that the gas company would be liable 20
prosecution under the Federal law.
Fred. f. Newell also spoke In opposi-
tion 20 the granting OF the franchise.
Councilman Goldsmith wanted TO ap-
point committee OF three. one from the
board OF aldermen and two from the
council TO consider the matter. and re-
port at n later date. but he was informed
by City Solicitor Butman that this would