The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-11
4 GAS ORDINANCE
Council Orders That One Be
Drawn Up.
Provide for Maximum Rate OF
Twenty-Five Cents.
PRICE NOW CHARGED.
Acrimonious Debate Precedes
Adoption of Resolution.
Voters Keep Their Eyes on Rep
resentative Aldermen.
PRICE NOW CHARGED,

The council by a vote OF six to i've
Instructed the city attorney to prepare
an ordinance whiting down the maxi
mum price for gas for domestic con-
sumption from As cents to 20 cents,
the price now charged by the gas COM
pany.
The action resulted from the intro
duction of a resolution by Councilman
Hughes and was undoubtedly spurred
on by the presence of a large body OF
able male voters who were watching
carefully to see If the councilmen from
their wards who are up for re-elec-
ton voted what they considered the
right way.
''Well, he had better have voted that
way" said a couple of constituents
after the session. I'VE were watching
him. He didn't come across the last
time. We are keeping track on 'em,
they continued speaking of one OF
their representatives.
The action of last evening was in
spired by the fact that Topeka has
franchise that has a higher maximum
towns. 1t is doubtful If Topeka, how
ever, can pass an ordinance that will
hold that places the maximum at 25
cents, for that is lower than the max
imum specified in surrounding towns.
1t will have to be on par, which
ulOdLS IL Oul on " % SChbS'
There was good heavy, prolonged
deluge of oratory coming right on top
of the resolution. A determined effort
was made to refer it to the COMMITTEES
on Judiciary acting together with the
city attorney on the argument that
precipitate haste would not lead any,
where. But the leaders of this move
ment were noSed out by the narrow
majority of one vote.
F. G. Dreaming, city attorney, will
l. IL II. 1fNfl h
ably by next Monday.
The vote on adopting motion to
refer the resolution to the judiciary
committee failed by the following line
up: Ayes-Councilmen Holiday,
Stanley, Howard Blakely and Lannan.
dan, Hughes, Horn, Kutz and Tandy.
Absent-Councilman Van Ness.
The expected report Of the judiciary
committee on the annulment of the
Consumers Gas company's franchise
because of the lack of sufficient sup
ply of gas at the last zero weather was
not forthcoming. The committee was
supposed to have made report last
evening following the trip that was
made and the informal report of the
councilmen who Investigated condl-
tons at Scipio and Petrolia. 1t was
not expected that any recommending
would be made looking to the taking
away of the franchise. 1t would not
have helped to improve the gas supply
and furthermore the council as a whole
believe that efforts are being made to
furnish an adequate supply.
"I move that this be referred to a
committee said Holiday when the
Hughes resolution came up. IT'S one
have got here, gentlemen, the best
franchise that any city has got; free
service, free meters and you don't
want to cut off your nose to spite your
face"
motion to refer to the judiciary
committee together with the city at
torney was then made by Councilman
Howard and seconded by Councilman
Stanley.
OTTAWA has 25 cent gas for domes-
manufacturing. Besides it received
bonus of $4,000 for it's franchise
payable in ten annual installments of
$2,500,' said Hughes. 1.-THE city at
torney tells US that we have the right
to reduce our maximum rate. If
small city like that has such a fran
chise why should not the city of To-
peka have one. Some say wait until
they raise the rates. 1 don't think
we want to wait that long. I'll have
this resolution up here again. I am
a candidate for reelection as council
man from the Sixth ward and I'll be
Up here again with this same resolu-
ton. 1 may not see the sweet smiling
faces of soma of these gentlemen that
! see here tonight. Some OF you
won't come back If you persist in your
present course but will be here And
the new council will not have to go
down to Scipio to find out how to vote.
Their constituents will supply that
necessary information. You have
turned down my resolution on excava-
ton permits here tonight, a fair de-
cent resolution. I may not win out
here tonight but I will in the end just
as sure as there is sun in heaven"