La Junta tribune., 1913-10-11
GAS FRANCHISE AMENDED.
Some lmportant Changes II Fran.
chi.~ Ordinance by City Coun.
cil-ElectiOa November nth

| C0enf NEutoobCc ny NUy SO00.
cilHElrctioa November nth
| Al the regular meeting OF the city
council held last Monday night about
the only business transacted outside
OF giving N. W. George. one OF the
bumpers at the water plant. a two
weeks vacation. WAS making some
important changes In the gas fran
chise ordinance, which was up for
third reading and final passage.
Under the terms OF the ordinance.
as passed on first reading, the
Rocky Mountain Gas Company was
granted the use and occupancy OF
the entire twenty seven acres OF land
upon which the old pump house was
located. during the lie OF the fran
chise. together with all improve
ments and Appurtenxnces thereto be-
longing. This was changed to read
the use and occupancy during the
term OF this franchise and any ex-
tension thereof. OF not to exceed one
acre OF ground as a site for said gas
plant" Further along In the same
section the company Is granted the
right to ''use water from the arte-
sian well. and the privilege OF using
the railway switch. provided that
said site shall be 40 located as to not
interfere with the improvements or
operations now on and being conduct
ed ON said tract" This reserves to
the city the right TO use the old
pump house for any purpose that IT
may see 1T at any time In the future.
including n municipal electric light
plant or any other public utility.
These changes are . great i'm
proyement upon the original draft OF
the ordinance. and practically elm
mate all objections that have as yet
been made to Its provisions. In fact
there is very little talk either for
or against the gas franchise. The
rate of $40 per thousand cubic feet
Is as low IA that granted In any city
the size of La Junta. either In Colo
orado. Kansas or Iowa. In fact.
Manhattan. k~a.. ts-she only town IN
any OF the three states named that
has az low rate AZ $40 per thous-
aud.
When the incandescent electric
light first came on the market. Mr.
Edison remarked that In three
years the gas companies would all be
Ia the hands OF the sheriff. That
was In 1873. Gas companies are
still doing business at u profit In
spite OF Mr.. Edison's prophecy. and
new gas companies are being orxxniz-
I'd every day all over the country
Where gas is available It Is used
for all manner OF household utilities.
including cooking. ironing. lighting
and auxiliary heating. II is clean;
II II always ready. and II requires no
care when not In use. With proper
and intelligent management. the
use Of Eas for cooking. especially In
small families. ts less expensive than
either coal or wood. 70 some people
say. A prominent citizen OF q, ,ceiey.
In a recent letter. says: " Gas here
costs si75 per month. VIA :5 pcr
cent discount II paid beio." the 10th
Of the month. The cost for use aries
widely. Some get along with s. or
So n month. by economixinx. and
some run up To 81 or 81. or even
more. II costs more than coal for
cooking. hut for lighting the cost In
no more than electricity"
Gas In considered one OF the lux.
urs~s of life. and IN = convenience
that Will induce people To locate In
La JuntA. II IL such = convenience
that people who have used u will
prefer II aud us~ II even u u cost
more than coal or gasoline. There IL
nothing In the franchise that Will
compel any one Ia Use gas unlsss
they want 10. aud We fail TO sce
where there Will b. any disaevantass
or untoward results 70 the people Of
- Jsnta In grantiRs the franchise.
Il will make - Junta . more desir.
able place " which to live. becauss
Il viii eeovids- . isxssy ssd con.
vsntsncs that many psopls waut aad
sss wiliias - ~ fes. sad ws ass Of
~ oeisiea thai svssy citisss whe
holieves h peUgsess asA waats -
~ u Juala oPsv as1 0s1s ~ a.
Itsoeslve D)oes = vhtsA = Tive vii