The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1922-03-30

Wy as one OF the important days in
the life of Liberal, for on this day
the fate of the gas franchise will be
considered and dealt with by the
voters of the city.
On this day a problem must be
solved by the people of Liberal
which will have a distinct bearing ON
whether Liberal is to become n big
ger, better town.
The franchise as worked out be.
tween the council and the attorneys
phase of the situation as far as the
at Topeka, covers every possible
protection of the citizens is con-
cerned, and at this time we have the
choice of two propositions:
Shall the McQuigg franchise be
granted? or
Shall the City own and operate the
gas distribution system?
We wish to venture some opinions
upon the merits of these two pro-
positions, and in doing so shall deal
entirely with the facts as they exist
and in spirit of fairness to both
sides of the controversy.
Before going into the matter we
wish to explain a peculiar situation
which has arisen. In the beginning
there were three factions. One of
these was for the McOuigg Fran
chise; one against, the third for city
ownership. Realizing that they were
beaten before they started, the opno-
sition to the franchise Joined the
municipal ownership crowd and dou-
bled teamed upon the franchise
boosters, wit hthe hope that with this
combination they might defeat the
franchise and stave off the PROPOSE
tion indefinitely.
Here are the facts to be consid-
cred by the voter in settling the
question.
McQuigg has the gas at this time !;
has the finances to drill one or more
wells and construct a pipe line to
the city. has the finance to build a
distributing system. He agrees to
have the system in operation within
one year and as much sooner as pos
sible.
Now what is there to the municipal
ownership proposition?
Where will the city get the gas to
supply a municipal system? At the
Seward County Oil & Gas Company
we'll. is the reply of most; others
think there will be other wells drilled
"some time". Not a rosy outlook for
getting gas in Liberal, is it?
The north company has well
down little over two thousand feet
at this time, and has been shut down
in an effort to raise funds to con-
tinue drilling. And. conceding that
they get the money and drill the
well into gasser, could the city af-
Ford to put in distributing system
with but one well? The city could
not. Does anyone who knows the
experienced by this COM
pany in financing their well, believe
they would be able to drill another
we'll at any reasonably early date?
Is there really any assurance that
the present well will be financed?
1t should be plain to everyone that
to pin their faith to the north we'll
as source of gas for Liberal, that
should the present proposition be re-
jected, Liberal is just as close to
having natural gas for fuel as we
were twenty years ago.
McQuigg agrees to furnish gas at
, certain set price and furnish it now.
Their second well is down almost
1900 feet and it is close to their first
to be reasonably sure of being a gas
ser; should it not they will immedi-
ately start work on the third well in
a different location that seems more
favorable to gas. The north well is
around fifteen miles from any known
and it is a mere chance
rs to whether or not there will be
yas in the test.
Summed up. what earthly chance
: there of Liberal ever having gas
we do not take it from McQuiggs?
They have shown the ability to drill
wells without asking local finance.
they have capital to handle their pro-
ects or they would not seek to make
lew investments. Can as much be
,aid for the north company? Prac-
.ically every cent raised to drill the
,orth well has come from Liberal
people and. the heaviest hackers Of
he company have admitted only re-
.ently that they had put in about all
hey could afford to spend.
The writer is a stockkholder in the
Seward County Oil & Gas Company.
lis paper boosted the company when
'ew people in Liberal considered it
more or less as a joke and we have
,nly the most friendly feeling for
he company and its officers. Our
interests would best be SER
red by this company having the sale
# gas, had it any to sell, but we do
lot believe that the fact that we own
took in this company justifies US in
,olding back the growth of Liberal
o satisfy our own personal gain.
We have seen too many towns go
nto the discard because matters OF
,ublic welfare were settled according
q the selfish dictates of those who
would profit or lose through public
,ction. and as long as we are part
# the public life Of Liberal we shall
this tendency whenever it