The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-24
LONG GAS WAR AT
OWATONNA ENDED.
CITY COUNCIL WINS ON ALL
POINTS INVOLVED.
Like Davy Crockett's Coon, the Light
and Heat Company Was Glad to
Come Down When It Found the
Council Had Staying Qualities and
Was Backed by the People.
Spacial to Tho Journal.

- 3
Owatonna,, Mimi, July 4.-It has been a
great game of ball which has been played for
two months between the owatonna' Gas, Electric
s. Heating company and the *Owatonna city coun-
Gil, and as the last inning Is on 1t Is apparent
that the score will be to 0 In favor OF the
city council. +'' -#s .'- &c. -
s.; The scrap started some months ago when
Mr.. Stahl, president of the company, came from
BelYidere ILL.,. and asked the council for new
franchise extending for thirty years. Some six
years ago the city fathers granted this company
a twenty -hve-year franchise for furnishing gas,
electricity and heat. The franchise provided
that in the event of its being granted the COM
pany was to install gas plant in stated
time. This the company did not do. but In a
short time did install temporary gas machine
for the manufacture of gas from gasolene. "A
small main was extended thru the business dis
trict, but for months at time the public has
not been able to secure gas, altho there was 4
large demand for it. The city council became
convinced that the company had been playing
horse too long, and SO voted to nullify the
franchise granted six years before. -
Municipal Gas Plant Proposed
The last of the negotiations supposed to
have taken place previous to the meeting OF
the council Tuesday evening of last week, when
the special committee reported that 1t had been
| unable to arrive at any satisfactory agreement
with the company. 1t then requested further
time in which to prepare a resolution for the
| voters upon the proposition Of a municipal gas
plant. This request was unanimously granted,
| and it was generally conceded that war would
| then be declared by the company, for in the
meantime 1t had been proceeding with the
construction of its plant, notwithstanding the
action of the council in regard to the old fran
| chse. ~
| The municipal plant has been the matter Of
general conversation here, and 1t became so
! apparent that the people were standing pat
| behind the council that there was secret
| meeting Of the special committee and the officers
of the Owatonna Gas. Electric & Heating COM
pany at which the company 'tcame down. grace
| fully and acceded to every contention Of the
council in regard to prices to be charged and
| the length of the franchise.
While it has not been apthoritatively given
out, it is understood that the rates for the
first three years will be 81. so for the first 2O0G
| feet consumed and a discount for all larger
| amounts. After three years the rate is to be
$40 with discounts for large consumers. The
! franchise is to run for twenty years instead
of thirty, as desired by the company. In addi
ton to this, it is understood that the company
will cut the existing rates for electricity.
| The representative of the company left 70,
| BelVidere. and is to present an ordinance II
accordance with the above terms at speeia
session Of the council to be held in the nea,
| future.