The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-14
AVVAW WHHVh
Topeka May Have to Return to
Manufactured Product.
Kansas Natural Is Ready to
Cancel Contract Here.
KANSAS CITY To Be SHUT OFF
Supply Will Be Turned Into
Mains in Kansas.
Then If Jayhawkers Don't Like
1t, They Lose, Too.
EXHAUSTED IN THE SOUTHEAST
Clause In Their Contract Gives
Company the Right.
stake 1t or Leave 1t Alone" Is
the New Motto.
stake 1t or Leave 1t Alone" Is
the New Motto.
LET CAPPER CALL A SESSION
Attorney Stone Challenges
Governor to Ask Legislature.
"We Welcome an Investiga-
tiOn," He Tells Public.

Topeka may be forced to re-
turn to manufactured gas if the
local gas company accept prop
osition said to be on its way to
Topeka from John M. Landon,
receiver for the Kansas Natural
Gas company. Statements in
Topeka today were to the effect
that the Kansas Natural receiv-
er has offered to cancel its con-
tract with the local company.
Acceptance of the offer will
mean a return to manufactured
gas at higher rates.
Propositions similar to the one
made to Topeka are said to have
been rendered other Kansas gas
distributing companies. T h e
action is in retaliation of the
movement against the gas COM
panies following the announce
ment of higher rates.
Representatives OF the Consumers
company, The local gas distributing
company, declared this afternoon they
had no knowledge of the proposed
Landon offer If such a move is con-
templated no notice las been re-
ceived it was stated. j. G. Treleaven,
receiver for the local gas company,
is spending his vacation in southern
Missouri. it was stated.
Kansas Citys Plight.
Kansas City, Mo, is to be shut off
from her natural gas supply That
was the announcement today by Rob-
ert Stone, attorney for Kansas Nat
ural Gas company receivers. The ac-
ton is to be taken under a clause N
their contract providing that gas shall
be supplied only so long as it can be
had from the southern Kansas field.
That supply is exhausted, Stone stated,
and the gas which has gone 70 the
Missouri side is to be turned into the
mains for use of Kansas towns.
Retaliating under the slap which
politicians and officeholders have TAX
en- at the gas company, Stone today
indicated that Kansas towns may
share the fate of Kansas City, Mo. If
the TOMBSTONE included Topeka in
the list-do not want natural gas at
the price the gas company will sell
it-Oh, very well. The gas will be
shut off Take it or leave it alcne.
And in discussing the situation, Stone
laid down the bars for all sorts of
trouble in the future.
VIII Serve Notice Today.
The first step of the gas company in
fighting back at the men who have
agitated public sentiment is in shut
ting off the Kansas City, Mo, supply.
Notices in the action are to be served
today. The step will be taken by the
gas company under the supply clause
in the franchise.
Our Kansas City, Mo-, contract
provides that gas is to be supplied as
Ia h ha fIaYT
Kansas field said Stone. THAT sup
ply is exhausted. So Kansas City, Mo,
is to be shut off. That raises a fed
eral question. For the benefit of the
receiver. though, we would have pre-
ferred to have shut off the Kansas side
town in order to save ourselves from
persecution by state officials and poll
ticians."
By refusing gas to the Missouri
town, the tight concerning the right
of the gas company to deny its supply
to patrons will go to the federal courts.
1t is probable that action will be taken
Immediately following the serving of
final notices. Stone, however. is con-
fident the gas company's position will
be upheld in the court
Watchful Waiting.
Just now the gas company is sitting
back patiently awaiting the action of
other towns Persons in Kansas City,
Kan, Topeka and other towns have
sought to arouse consumers to refuse
to pay their gas bills. The gas con-
pany is awaiting this action. When it
IS taken-Wel, buy your coal supply
carly The weather man promises a
severe winter.
OF course we are not going to shut
off any one who wants gas if he will
make it profitable for us to serve
him., said Stone But when an indi :
vtdual or town doesn't want gas at
a price that leaves us 4 return on the
investment. they don't have to take it.
Neither do we have to serve them if
they won't pay reasonable price.
The courts have settled that matter.
So if Topeka or any other town doesn, t