The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-20
And Tonight the Franchise
Ordinance Will Be Submit
ted to Council. But No Ac-
ton Is Probable.
PROPOSITION HANDLES
IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY
For Some Time It Has Been
Considered by the Board,
But All information Was
Closely Guarded.

At the session Of the city council to-
night an ordinance will be presented
for the granting of 35year franchise
to the Natural Gas company. to manu-
facture artificial gas. It is not con-
sidered probable that the ordinance
will be given consideration tonight. as
the city fathers. 1t Is said. are much
more interested in the proposed ban
quet that is to be given at the old en-.
gine house in the south side. than they
are to matters pertaining to municipal
affairs.
The board Of works met in special
session this morning. at which time an
ordinance. drawn up by the attorneys
for the Richmond Natural Gas compa-
ny. was presented for approval. With
the addition of two provisions. the
franchise was favored and will be pre-
sented 10 the hoard again this after
noon for its final approval. It will
then be carried to council for consider
alton.
Gum Shoe Tactics.
The action of the board In franchise
application Of the Richmond Natural
Gas company. has been very mysteri-
GUS. During the past year there have
been two or three secret sessions held
by the board and the company off,
cials. All publicity was carefully
avoided. and information by the board
and the company has been denied the
|
the termination Of the negotiations.
Just last week. when the Palladium
broadly hinted to the public that a
franchise proposal mad been submitted
to the board by the Richmond Natural
Gas company. f. G. Hibberd. president
of the corporation. in an interview. alb
solutely denied any knowledge of the
matter. The board. also. at that time.
was reticent with the desired informa-
tion.
The question involved by the fran
chise desired by the Natural Gas COM
pany is a most important one. Tho
rate established in the proposed fran
chise would not only be the rate Of the
pefitioning corporation. but also that
Of its competitor. the Richmond Light.
Heat and Power company. 1t is the
general opinion that the rate. a pro-
posed in the franchise just submitted.
should be given more consideration.
Maximum Rate 30 Cents.
The ordinance provides that the
Richmond Natural Gas company shall
on and after the passage Of the ortii-
nance. manufacture artificial gas and
take out franchise for 25 years. with
| this end In view. It provides that the
company shall not charge. collect or
receive from any consumer Of artificial
gas any greater rate or price than %
cents per thousand cubic feet. subject
! to a ten per cent discount. II paid with
in ten days after the bills presented
are due. It is provided. however. that
make a minimum charge Of 80 cents
per month to all consumers Of artifi-
cial gas.
The company agrees by the terms OF
the ordinance to furnish proper gas
meters for artificial gas. but shall
charge no meter rent Unless the
company begins the manufacture Of ar
tificial gas within two years after the
passage of the ordinance. al rights
and privileges granted shall cease.
Two New Provisions.
Two new provisions were added to
the ordinance this morning. The COM
pany will agree to extend pipe line
from the main for applicants for pri-
vate consumption Of artificial gas for
each one hundred feet. on the average
II was also agreed that in case . COM
mission shall be created by tho stata
| for the purpose Of regulating publ:
utilities. including gas companies. the
| Richmond Natural Gas company shall
be subject to the provision Of such law.
The question has arisen that the
Richmond Natural Gas company
could not obtain q franchise to manu-
[ facture artificial gas because II has
been alleged that the franchise taken
| out by the Richmond Light, Heat ana
Power company for six years. was ex-
elusive as to the right to manufacture
gas. However. It is claimed BY thoss
| who are in a position to know, that the
franchise Of the Richmond Light. Heat
and Power company. IN not exclusive.
and does not prevent other companies
from entering the artificial field, n
they 30 desire.
It Is not thought the matter Of grant,
| ing the franchise viii be seriously dis
cussed at the meeting Of council to
night It Is declared that the question
viii Be left entirely In the hands Of ths
new administratjon.