The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-26
Gov. Hodges Calls Conference
of Kansas Mayors.
To Take Some Action on the
Gas Situation.
MAY BE A SPECIAL SESSION
To Pass Enabling Act for Cities
of Kansas.
Mayor COfran Strongly En-
dOrses the Movement.

Municipal ownership of gas, of which
Mayor r. L. Cofran is strongly in favor,
will be discussed at a special meeting
of Kansas mayors and city attorneys
called by Governor Hodges at Repre-
noon. The announcement, received by
Mayor Cofran this morning, caused
considerable interest in municipal cir
cles The governors office mailed 300
night letters Friday evening to various
Kansas cities that consume natural
gas.
The governors message refers to the
public utilities declaration that no ar
rangements are being made to provide
gas for next winter. 1t invites the
cities consideration of the practical bill
ty of taking over and operating the
necessary gas properties.
Mayor Cofran is in favor of munich
pai ownership and warmly approves the
governors action in the matter.
I'VE will do all in our power to ad-
vance the idea of municipal owner
Ship said the mayor this morning
and consider it a strong factor in the
betterment of the capital city. L am
in favor of it if it can be accom-
plished We want it. Can we get it?
That's the stumbling block. 1 am not
ready to make detailed statement un-
til L have investigated the matter more
thoroughly
The Governors Letter.
Governor Hodges's epistle follows
Judge Marshalrs opinion, filed Thurs-
day with the clerk of the feedra1 court,
wherein the directors of the Kansas
Natural Gas company are directed TO
disobey the order of the Kansas pup
lie utilities commission Judge Mar
shall declared that the writ issued by
Henderson Martin, chairman of the
utilities commission, directing the gas
companies to extend their pipes to new
fields in Oklahoma was not founded
upon law.
The opinion meant that the receiv-
ers of the Kansas Natural Gas COM
pany could not be compelled to pro
vide adequate gas supply for the
thousands of consumers in Kansas,
Missouri and Oklahoma
Following is a copy of the telegram
sent by the governor, who is out of
town, and received by Mayor Cofran
today:
The chairman of the public utili-
ties commission advises me that no
arrangements are being made to pro-
vide gas for next winter and suggests
that I ask the cities whether it is prac-
teal for them to take over and oper
ate the necessary gas properties. I
have decided to call meeting of the
mayors and city attorneys at Repre-
July 80, at noon. Do not fail to be
present.-George H. Hodges, COVER
nor"
The Cities Concerned.
The cities affected by the gas situa- |
ton, and that will have part in any
conference that may be called, are as
follows:
Independence. Mound Valley, Caney, |
Oswego, Scammon, CheroI ee, |
GaIena, Thayer, Colony, Richmond, Ot-
tawa, Wellsville, Gardner, LeneXa, |
Rosedale. Baldwin, Lawrence, Tonga
noxie, Elk City. Mound City, Coffey-
Vile, Altamont, Columbus, Weir, Pitts
burg, Parsons, Fort Scott, Welda, |
LIE Loup, Edgerton, Olathe, |
Merriam, Kansas City, Topeka, Oak
land, Leavenworth, and Atchisou.
May Be Special Session.
A possibility that Topeka may be
called upon to vote bonds for the pur-
chase of the local gas plant is in pros
pect in view of the developments in the
gas situation. State officers today ad-
nitted that a special session may be
deemed the only solution of the vexing
problem at present staring them in the
face, and the special session merely
will be for the purpose of authorizing
the cities and towns affected to con-
denim the various plants and buy tliern
either for the municipal distribution of
natural gas or the manufacture and
of artificial gas.
In any event nothing can be done, as
it looks at present, that will make
much difference in the amount of gas
or rather absence of gas-next winter.
In talking of the matter today JIen-
1ersOn Martin. chairman of the pub
lie utilities commission, declared he
does not expect to be able to accom-
plish much this year.
Il suggested the special session to
the governor as a last resort" Mar
tin said. 1T is too late to accomplish
much this year. But even though we
have face a shortage this wear
will put US in shape where We can 90
something next year..
Various officials are of the opinion
that the proposed movement will mai Ike
tabIishing a precedent in it's
line. Martin, however, denies that 1T
is a precedent. and declares his sug-
gestion not only is practical but has