Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-21
FIGHT FOR one DOLLAR Jas
Chairman Fuukhouier Of Council Com
mittee Ready to Co the Limit
ORDINANCE TO CONDEMN THE PLANT
states He Proposes to Play IL ns the
Last Card ~ Company Refuses
to Reduce the Price as
Requested.

The battle for 81 gas is fairly on in
Omaha, according to statements Of several
members of the city council, the chairman
Of the lighting committee in particular.
Councilman Funkhouser chairman Of the
lighting committee, Thursday afternoon
said.
THE intentions Of the committee is to
go so far as to condemn and appraise the
plant of the Omaha Gas company and sub
nit to the voters of Omaha a proposition
to vote bonds and acquire the plant under
provisions OF the city charter. Assistant
City Attorney Dunn is now working on
the necessary resolutions and an ordinance
to carry out this plan.
"A concurrent resolution, declaring the
necessity of acquiring the gas plant will
be introduced at the first meeting in Janu-
airy. l feel confident of strong support in
the council chamber. Mayor Dahlman al
ready has expressed himself in favor of
such procedure If the city legal depart
ment would advise it. The city legal de-
/ partment has advised It. Following the
concurrent resolution will be an ordinance
to perfect the plan. This will entail an
appraisement by five appraisers and vote
on the issuance Of bonds. The proposition
of municipal ownership Of a gas plant
with gas at 81 or less will then be up to
the voters.
Last stand of Committee.
THE lighting committee of the city coun-
| ell confesses this is its last stand to secure
81 gas, as promised in the democratic plat
! form which was signed by mayor. council
men and others of the administration. The
committee realizes the voters may think
| twice before they vote for this proposition,
in view of the pending water works lti-
cation and the possibility of having to
hui aFf an
effort to induce the Omaha Gas company
to furnish 81 gas, the committee intends to
take this action on the advice of not only
| the city legal department but several
other lawyers of Omaha, the latter con-
curing in the opinion of the former in
the matter of the city's right to condemn
and acquire the gas plant regardless of
the existing franchise.
Part of Section Of the existing gas
franchise ordinance, which expires in 1918,
reads:
Under this ordinance the city of Omaha
reserves all rights, authority and powers
which now exist, and all rights, authority
and powers which may thereafter exist In
favor of said city under its charter, to
| condemn appropriate and purchase the gas
works, mains and appurtenances OF said
company, its successors or assigns for the
use Of the said city
1.-THE present contention now is that the
city charter gives the city the, absolute
right to proceed as the lighting committee
intends to do in the gas matter. City
charter references are Sections 40, and 2
Complaint on Gas Bills.
Councilman Funkhouser yesterday after.
noon said:
"The lighting committee of the city coun
ell has been receiving complaint after com.
: plant from citizens who seek redress II
. the matter of gas. It has been alleged or
= every hand that gas bills have been ex
cessive since the last reduction of gas
/, which was from s1.25 to $1.15. If paid be
fore the tenth of the month. l am con
WINGED from personal experience that Their
is something wrong in the gas supply anC
E went personally TO the gas company Off
! cials and registered kick 1 was told fl
that quarter that the pressure might b.
too strong at some points on account o
the necessity of pumping the gas lonl
distances.
1.-THE question of the quality of gas L
be furnished in Omaha will, it is believed
have beer thoroughly established within
few weeks, as the gas commissioner ordi
} nance will be introduced at the next coun
r ell meeting, which probably will be mex
I Wednesday evening, Tuesday being Christ
S mas The other members of the council
a have expressed themselves in favor of tn
u measure and its passage is nearly assured
y The proposed method of gas inspection, a
q outlined in this ordinance, has been re
d ferred to before. The measure has beel
designed after three months investigation
and consultation with officials of othe
It cities having such gas regulation"