Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.74

              COMMENCEMENT AGREEMENT AND LEASE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE

         This COMMENCEMENT AGREEMENT AND LEASE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (the "First
Amendment"), made and entered into as of this 1/st/ day of November, 2001, by
and between HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a North Carolina limited
partnership, with its principal office at 3100 Smoketree Court, Suite 600,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 ("Landlord") and INCARA PHARMACEUTICALS
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Tenant");

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS, Tenant and Landlord entered into that certain Lease Agreement
dated January 25, 2001 (the "Lease"), for space designated as Suites 102 and
200, comprising approximately 18,258 rentable square feet, in the 4401 Research
Commons Building, located at 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, City of Research Triangle
Park, County of Wake, State of North Carolina; and

         WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Rent Schedule and further
alter and modify said Lease in the manner set forth below,

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual and reciprocal promises
herein contained, Tenant and Landlord hereby agree that said Lease hereinafter
described be, and the same is hereby modified in the following particulars:

1.       Lease Term. Section Two of the Lease, entitled "Term", is amended to
         provide that the term of the Lease shall be for sixty-three full months
         and the Lease of Suite 200 actually commenced on March 16, 2001 (the
         "Commencement Date") and the term of the Lease of Suite 102 actually
         will commence on July 1, 2001. The initial term of said Lease shall
         terminate on June 30, 2006 (the "Termination Date"). Section 2,
         entitled "Term", and all references to the Commencement Date and
         Termination Date are hereby amended.

2.       Base Rent. Section Four of the Lease, entitled "Rental", is amended as
         follows:

         A. Base Rent. Section 4, entitled "Base Rent", is amended to provide
         that the Base Rent for the Term shall be $1,958,046.14, instead of
         $1,926,172.94.

         B. Rent Schedule. The rent schedule provided in Section 4.1 shall be
         replaced with the following rent schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Suite 102          Suite 200              Total              Cumulative
                     Months           Monthly          Monthly Rent          Monthly Rent            Rent
                     ------            Rent
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                         <C>              <C>                   <C>                  <C>
           03/16/01-03/31/01            -0-            $10,393.43            $10,393.43          $   10,393.43
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           04/01/01-06/30/01            -0-            $21,479.77            $21,479.77          $   64,439.31
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           07/01/01-06/30/02         $8,079.53         $21,479.77            $29,559.30          $  354,711.60
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           07/01/02-06/30/03         $8,322.52         $22,121.45            $30,443.97          $  365,327.64
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           07/01/03-06/30/04         $8,574.19         $22,784.87            $31,359.06          $  376,308.72
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           07/01/04-06/30/05         $8,830.20         $23,470.05            $32,300.25          $  387,603.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           07/01/05-06/30/06         $9,094.89         $24,176.98            $33,271.87          $  399,262.44
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Total Rent:         $1,958,046.14
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The above rent schedule does not include operating expense pass through
         adjustments to be computed annually in accordance with Lease Addendum
         Number Two.

3.       Miscellaneous. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms
         used in this First Amendment shall have the same definitions ascribed
         to them in the Lease.

4.       Lease Effectiveness. Except as modified and amended by this First
         Amendment, the Lease shall remain in full force and effect.

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

Tenant:

INCARA PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
a Delaware corporation

         By:______________________________________________________
         Name:____________________________________________________
         Title:___________________________________________________

         Date:____________________________________________________

         Attest:__________________________________________________
                _______________________________________  Secretary

                                 Corporate Seal:
Landlord:

HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
a North Carolina limited partnership
   By: Highwoods Properties, Inc., its general partner
   a Maryland corporation

         By: _____________________________________________________
                 Marcus H. Jackson, Senior Vice President

         Date: ___________________________________________________

         Attest: _________________________________________________
                 Kathleen E. Kowalski, Assistant Secretary<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.15l

                                                    Date: September 18, 2001

Douglas H. Yaeger (as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Laclede Gas Company), and Gerald T. McNeive, Jr. (as Senior Vice
President - Finance and General Counsel of Laclede Gas Company), pursuant to
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors on August 28, 1986, which
resolutions, among other things, granted to any two executive officers who
hold one of the following offices: Chairman of the Board; President;
Executive Vice President; or Senior Vice President; the authority to amend
any or all of the benefit plans and/or related trust agreements of the
Company (collectively the "Plans") to the extent such amendments deal with
changes necessary or appropriate: (1) to comply with, or obtain the benefit
of, applicable laws and/or regulations, as amended from time to time; (2) to
reflect minor or routine administrative factors; (3) to clarify the meaning
of any of the provisions of the Plans; and/or (4) to evidence changes in
then existing Plans to reflect the interrelationship thereof with newly
adopted Plans or amendments to Plans, which newly adopted Plans or
amendments affect the terms of such other then existing Plans; do hereby
amend the Missouri Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company Dual Savings
Plan as set forth in the attached exhibit, such amendment to be effectuated
and evidenced by our signatures on said exhibit.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

             AMENDMENTS TO THE MISSOURI NATURAL GAS DIVISION OF
             --------------------------------------------------
                    LACLEDE GAS COMPANY DUAL SAVINGS PLAN
                    -------------------------------------

1.       Effective February 1, 1998, paragraph (e) of Section I is hereby
         amended to read as follows:

         "(e)     "Trustee" means that corporation designated by the Company
                  from time to time to act as Trustee under the Trust
                  Agreement, as specified in Section X."

2.       Effective April 15, 1998, paragraph (h) of Section I is hereby
         amended to read as follows:

         "(h)     "Participant" means an Eligible Employee, or former
                  Eligible Employee, who has enrolled in the Plan and who
                  has an Account which has not been fully distributed. A
                  Participant may be either a Physical Worker or a Clerical
                  Worker."

3.       Effective February 1, 1998, a new unnumbered paragraph is hereby
         added at the end of paragraph (o) of Section I to read as follows:

         "In the event that an individual who was not classified as an
         Employee or a common-law employee is legally reclassified as an
         Employee or a common-law employee of the Company, such Employee
         shall only first be considered to be an Employee at the time of
         such reclassification, or, if later, at the time that such
         individual is initially treated as an Employee or common-law
         employee on the payroll records of the Company."

4.       Effective November 1, 1998, subparagraphs (1) and (4) of paragraph
         (p) of Section I are hereby amended to read as follows:

         "(1)     Pre-Tax Deposit Account means the subaccount that holds
                  the Participant's Pre-Tax Deposits plus increment and
                  decrement thereon. Effective November 1, 1998, the Pre-Tax
                  Deposit Account may also include a Physical Worker's
                  Post-Tax Deposit Account in accordance with paragraph (g)
                  of Section IV."

         "(4)     Pre-Tax Match Account means the subaccount that holds the
                  Company contributions that matched Participant Pre-Tax
                  Deposits plus the increment and decrement on such
                  contributions. Effective November 1, 1998, the Pre-Tax
                  Match Account may also include a Physical Worker's
                  Post-Tax Match Account in accordance with paragraph (g) of
                  Section IV."

5.       Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (v) of Section I is hereby
         amended to read as follows:

         "(v)     "Pre-Tax Deposits" means amounts withheld, prior to income
                  taxation, from a Participant's Earnings, pursuant to an
                  Earnings Deferral Agreement between the Participant and
                  the Company, and deposited in the Participant's Pre-Tax
                  Deposit Account under the Plan. Beginning November 1,
                  1998, Pre-Tax Deposits may also

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  include a Physical Worker's Post-Tax Deposits which have
                  been transferred in accordance with paragraph (g) of
                  Section IV."

6.       Effective April 15, 1998, paragraphs (aa) and (bb) are hereby added
         to Section I and, effective February 1, 1998, paragraphs (cc) and
         (dd) are hereby added to Section I, to read as follows:

         "(aa)    "Physical Worker" means an Employee of the Missouri
                  Natural Gas Division of the Company who is covered under
                  the collective bargaining agreement between the Missouri
                  Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company and the Oil,
                  Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, Local
                  Union No. 5-884, and whose job classification is other
                  than as cashier or assistant cashier.

         (bb)     "Clerical Worker" means an Employee of the Missouri
                  Natural Gas Division of the Company who is covered under
                  the collective bargaining agreement between the Missouri
                  Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company and the Oil,
                  Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, Local
                  Union No. 5-884, and whose job classification is as
                  cashier or assistant cashier.

         (cc)     "Investment Manager" means any entity designated by the
                  Company to direct the investment and reinvestment of one,
                  or more, of the investment funds subject to the Trust
                  Agreement. The Company shall have the authority to confirm
                  or deny the appointment of any Investment Manager.

         (dd)     "Valuation Date" means any day that the New York Stock
                  Exchange is open for business or any other date chosen by
                  the Committee."

7.       Effective April 15, 1999, paragraph (a) of Section IV is hereby
         amended in its entirety, to read as follows:

         "(a)     Participant Matchable Deposits. Participant Matchable
                  ------------------------------
                  Deposits for each Plan Year shall be made in one percent
                  (1%) increments with a minimum of two percent (2%) and a
                  maximum of seven percent (7%) of Earnings. A Clerical
                  Worker shall designate the Participant Matchable Deposits
                  as either Pre-Tax Deposits for credit to the Pre-Tax
                  Deposit Account or as Post-Tax Deposits for credit to the
                  Post-Tax Deposit Account whichever he designates. The
                  entire Participant Matchable Deposit for any Plan Year
                  must be credited to only one of these accounts; it may not
                  be split between them. Beginning November 1, 1998, a
                  Physical Worker's Participant Matchable Deposits shall
                  only consist of Pre-Tax Deposits for credit to the Pre-Tax
                  Deposit Account. The Participant's designated percentage
                  (and account as applicable to a Clerical Worker) shall
                  apply until changed and may be changed as of any
                  succeeding Anniversary Date provided such change is
                  communicated in writing to the Committee prior to such
                  date. The then current designated percentage shall be
                  automatically applied to any change in Earnings."

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

8.       Effective April 15, 1999, paragraph (c) of Section IV is hereby
         amended in its entirety, to read as follows:

         "(c)     Participant Non-Matchable Deposits. Each Participant, in
                  ----------------------------------
                  addition to the deposit under paragraph (a) of this
                  Section IV, may designate additional deposits up to eight
                  percent (8%) of his Earnings in any Plan Year for credit
                  to his deposit accounts. Beginning November 1, 1998, a
                  Clerical Worker must designate the portion of his
                  Participant Non-Matchable Deposits which are Pre-Tax
                  Deposits to be credited to his Pre-Tax Deposit Account
                  and/or which are Post-Tax Deposits to be credited to his
                  Post-Tax Deposit Account. Beginning November 1, 1998, a
                  Physical Worker's Participant Non-Matchable Deposits shall
                  be Pre-Tax Deposits credited to his Pre-Tax Deposit
                  Account."

9.       Effective February 1, 1998, subparagraphs (1) and (2) of paragraph
         (d) of Section IV are hereby amended in their entirety, to read as
         follows:

         "(1)     "Additions" means the total of:

                  (i)      Company Contributions allocated to a
                           Participant's Company Contribution Account for
                           such Limitation Year, plus

                  (ii)     for Limitations Years after September 30, 1987,
                           the Participant's contribution to his
                           "Participant Deposit Account" under the Missouri
                           Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company
                           Savings Plan, Pre-Tax Deposit Account and
                           Post-Tax Deposit Account.

         (2)      The amount of such Additions with respect to any
                  Participant for any Plan Year shall not exceed the lesser
                  of

                  (i)      Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) (or such
                           greater amount allowed by the Secretary of
                           Treasury for cost of living increases after
                           September 2, 1974), or

                  (ii)     Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Participant's
                           Earnings, excluding for this purpose for Plan
                           Years beginning before 1998, any compensation
                           deferred by said Participant as Pre-Tax Deposits
                           under this Plan for such Plan Year.

                           In applying the foregoing limitation, the
                           Committee shall take into account all defined
                           contribution plans of the Company."

10.      Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (g) of Section IV is hereby
         amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         "(g)     Investment Elections - Post-Tax. Beginning November 1,
                  -------------------------------
                  1998, additional Post-Tax Deposits may be made only by
                  Clerical Workers.

                  Beginning November 1, 1998, Physical Workers have the
                  options outlined below for the balance of their
                  pre-November 1, 1998 Post-Tax Deposits, Post-Tax Match

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  Contributions and applicable earnings on both. A Physical
                  Worker may elect to have his Post-Tax Deposit Account and
                  Post-Tax Match Account invested effective November 1, 1998
                  as a Pre-Tax Deposit Account and Pre-Tax Match Account
                  under the terms of paragraph (h) of this section or he may
                  elect to withdraw the balance of his Post-Tax Deposit
                  Account on November 1, 1998, in accordance with paragraph
                  (b) of Section VII. Alternatively, a Physical Worker who
                  fails to elect to have his Post-Tax Deposit Account and
                  Post-Tax Match Account invested as a Pre-Tax Deposit
                  Account and Pre-Tax Match Account under the terms of
                  paragraph (h) of this section may either withdraw his
                  Post-Tax Deposit Account prior to November 1, 2002 in
                  accordance with paragraph (b) of Section VII, or his
                  Post-Tax Deposit Account and Post-Tax Match Account will
                  be invested after November 1, 2002 as a Pre-Tax Deposit
                  Account and Pre-Tax Match Account under the terms of
                  paragraph (h) of this section. Such Post-Tax Deposits
                  which are invested as Pre-Tax Deposit Accounts remain
                  subject to taxation as Post-Tax Deposits as required by
                  the Code.

                  Prior investment elections by each Participant under the
                  Missouri Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company
                  Savings Plan will remain in effect at the outset of this
                  Plan. A Clerical Worker Participant may elect to have his
                  Post-Tax Deposits and his Post-Tax Match Contributions
                  invested either:

                  (1)      100% in fixed income obligations; or

                  (2)      100% in a diversified equity portfolio; or

                  (3)      100% in short term investments; or

                  (4)      50% each in any two of the three categories
                           specified in subparagraphs (1), (2) or (3) of
                           this sentence.

                  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the
                  contrary, the Trustee shall also receive as soon as
                  administratively feasible after the execution of this
                  Plan, those amounts in the Participant's "Participant
                  Deposit Account" and "Company Contribution Account" under
                  the Missouri Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company
                  Savings Plan to be held, invested and managed in the
                  Participant's Post-Tax Deposit Account and Post-Tax Match
                  Account, respectively, under this Plan, and in accordance
                  with prior investment elections by each Participant under
                  the Missouri Natural Gas Division of Laclede Gas Company
                  Savings Plan.

                  The foregoing investments (and any investment made
                  pursuant to paragraph (h) of this Section IV) in any or
                  all instances may include, but shall not be limited to,
                  investments in collective or commingled funds qualified
                  under the provisions of Code Section 401(a) and exempt
                  under the provisions of Code Section 501(a), as such Code
                  sections may be from time to time amended or renumbered.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  A Clerical Worker Participant may change any such election
                  to a subsequent election to operate prospectively with
                  respect to such Participant's Post-Tax Deposits and
                  Post-Tax Match Contributions, which subsequent election
                  may from time to time be made as of any Anniversary Date,
                  provided that each such subsequent election (effective on
                  such Anniversary Date) shall be made by giving thirty (30)
                  days prior written notice to the Committee. Any such
                  change in election will not affect the investment of the
                  Clerical Worker's Post-Tax Deposit Account balance or
                  Post-Tax Match Account balance. A new Clerical Worker
                  Participant shall file his initial election when he
                  enrolls. After an election has been made, it will be
                  followed until changed in writing."

11.      Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (h) of Section IV is hereby
         amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         "(h)     Investment Elections - Pre-Tax. Effective November 1,
                  ------------------------------
                  1998, a Participant may elect to have his Pre-Tax Deposits
                  and Pre-Tax Match Contributions invested in the following
                  investment categories:

                  (1)      fixed income obligations;

                  (2)      diversified equity portfolios;

                  (3)      short-term investments;

                  (4)      Common Stock of Laclede Gas Company.

                  Such Pre-Tax Deposits and Pre-Tax Match Contributions may
                  be allocated among the various investment funds in one
                  percent (1%) increments. The allocation among the various
                  investment funds for current contributions may be changed
                  a maximum of once per month.

                  A Participant may change any such election to a subsequent
                  election to operate prospectively with respect to such
                  Participant's Pre-Tax Deposits and Pre-Tax Match
                  Contributions, which subsequent election may from time to
                  time be made as of any Anniversary Date, provided that
                  each such subsequent election (effective on such
                  Anniversary Date) shall be made by giving thirty (30) days
                  prior written notice to the Committee. A new Participant
                  shall file his initial election when he enrolls. After an
                  election has been made, it will be followed until changed
                  in writing.

                  Either with or without changing his investment election
                  with respect to future Pre-Tax Deposits and Pre-Tax Match
                  Contributions, a Participant may, by giving thirty (30)
                  days prior written notice to the Committee, direct that
                  his Pre-Tax Deposit Account balance and Pre-Tax Match
                  Account balance be invested as soon as practicable on or
                  after the intended effective date in one or more of the
                  above investment funds, in one percent (1%) increments, as
                  provided in this paragraph (h). The valuation of the
                  Participant's Accounts as of the end of the day
                  immediately

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  preceding the intended effective date of such investment
                  direction shall be controlling for purposes of
                  implementing the investment direction. A change in
                  investment direction under this paragraph (h) made be made
                  only two (2) times per month.

                  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the
                  contrary, investment elections, changes or transfers,
                  loans and certain other decisions or elections by a
                  Participant under this Plan affecting his Pre-Tax Deposit
                  Account and/or Pre-Tax Match Account may be accomplished
                  by electronic or telephonic means which are not otherwise
                  prohibited by law and which are in accordance with
                  procedures and/or systems approved or arranged by the
                  Committee or its delegate expressly for that purpose.

                  Participant investment directions which a Participant
                  originates electronically or by telephone pursuant to this
                  Section of the Plan will be effective no later than on the
                  first Valuation Date following the date on which the
                  Participant originated the election."

12.      Effective February 1, 1998, paragraphs (k) and (l) are hereby added
         to Section IV to read as follows:

         "(k)     Valuation of Shares. The value of a fractional Share for
                  -------------------
                  purposes of this Section shall be based on the value of a
                  full Share at the closing price per Share on the New York
                  Stock Exchange on the Valuation Date which is one day
                  prior to distribution.

         (l)      Unit Valuations. The Committee may establish unit values
                  ---------------
                  for one or more investment funds, or portion thereof, and
                  maintain each Participant's interest in such investment
                  fund in units in accordance with such rules and procedures
                  as the Committee deems appropriate. To the extent that
                  unit accounting is utilized for any investment fund or
                  portion thereof, the value of a Participant's interest in
                  the investment fund at any time shall be an amount equal
                  to the value of a unit of such investment fund multiplied
                  by the number of units then credited to the Participant
                  plus such portion of the Participant's interest in such
                  investment fund which is not accounted for in units."

13.      Effective November 1, 1998, a new paragraph (f) is hereby added to
         Section VI to read as follows:

         "(f)     A Physical Worker Participant shall be vested 100% in the
                  balance of his Pre-November 1, 1998 Post-Tax Match Account
                  as of November 1, 1998."

14.      Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (a) of Section VII is hereby
         amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         "(a)     Withdrawal from Participant Pre-Tax Deposit and/or Pre-Tax
                  ----------------------------------------------------------
                  Match Accounts. A Participant may, after attaining age
                  --------------
                  59-1/2, withdraw all or any portion of his Pre-

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  Tax Deposit or Pre-Tax Match Accounts at any time by
                  giving written notice to the Committee. Prior to attaining
                  age 59-1/2, a Participant who satisfies the Plan's
                  financial hardship requirements may withdraw all or any
                  portion of the Participant's Pre-Tax Deposit Account, but
                  exclusive of related earnings and amounts previously
                  distributed due to hardship. Application for hardship and
                  a demonstration of the existence of such financial
                  hardship must be made to the satisfaction of the
                  Committee. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of such
                  notice and proof of hardship, the Committee shall direct
                  the Trustee to make the appropriate distribution.

                  A withdrawal satisfies the Plan financial hardship
                  requirements of paragraph (a) of this Section VII if it is
                  made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need
                  of the Participant, and it is necessary to satisfy, and
                  does not exceed, such financial need. Federal tax will be
                  withheld on hardship withdrawals at a rate of twenty
                  percent (20%); state or local income taxes will be
                  withheld at the Participant's request. The amount required
                  for hardship may be increased to include the necessary
                  taxes but cannot exceed the amount available for hardship
                  as provided in this paragraph (a). A hardship withdrawal
                  will not be granted if such financial hardship may be
                  relieved in full by borrowing such amount as allowed under
                  this paragraph (a) and Section VII(e).

                  A withdrawal will be deemed to be made on account of an
                  immediate and heavy financial need of the Participant if
                  the withdrawal is on account of one or more of the
                  following:

                  (1)      Incurred medical expenses or expenses to obtain
                           medical care for the Participant, the
                           Participant's spouse or any dependents of the
                           Participant.

                  (2)      Payment of tuition, related educational fees, and
                           room and board expenses, for the next twelve (12)
                           months of post-secondary education for the
                           Participant, or the Participant's spouse,
                           children or dependents.

                  (3)      The cost of buying the principal residence of the
                           Participant, not including making mortgage
                           payments.

                  (4)      The cost of preventing an eviction or mortgage
                           foreclosure on the principal residence of the
                           Participant.

                  (5)      Other special circumstances creating a
                           significant financial need essential to the
                           welfare of the Participant or his immediate
                           family.

                  The hardship withdrawal application shall include a signed
                  statement of the facts demonstrating financial hardship
                  and any other facts or documents required by the
                  Committee. The withdrawal shall be made from each
                  investment fund Account or Accounts in the same proportion
                  as the investment fund Account balances bear to each
                  other. If the Participant is married, the application must
                  be signed by both the Participant and his/her spouse; the
                  spouse's consent must acknowledge the effect of

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  the request for hardship withdrawal; and the spouse's
                  consent must be witnessed by a Plan representative or a
                  notary public. The spousal consent shall not be required
                  if the Participant provides the Committee with
                  satisfactory evidence that such consent cannot be obtained
                  because he/she does not have a spouse; the spouse cannot
                  be located; or such other circumstances as are prescribed
                  by Treasury Regulations. Any consent by a spouse shall be
                  effective only with respect to such spouse. For the
                  purpose of determining whether the hardship withdrawal is
                  necessary to satisfy a financial need of a Participant,
                  the Committee may reasonably rely on the Participant's
                  representation that the need cannot be fully relieved by:

                  (1)      insurance or other reimbursement;

                  (2)      reasonable liquidation of assets if this does not
                           itself create a hardship;

                  (3)      cessation of contributions to the Plan; or

                  (4)      other distributions or nontaxable loans from
                           Company plans or from commercial sources on
                           reasonable commercial terms.

                  If a Participant who has one outstanding loan applies for
                  a hardship withdrawal and if the amount of the
                  Participant's financial hardship is not in excess of the
                  additional loan amount allowable under Section VII(e),
                  then the Participant shall borrow such additional amount
                  by applying for a second loan from the Plan instead of
                  taking a hardship withdrawal.

                  If a Participant has two outstanding loans and applies for
                  a hardship withdrawal, such hardship withdrawal may be
                  permitted up to the amount of the hardship and subject to
                  the limitations of this paragraph (a). If a Participant
                  has one outstanding loan and if the amount of the
                  Participant's financial hardship exceeds the maximum loan
                  amount allowable under Section VII(e), then a hardship
                  withdrawal may be permitted up to the amount of hardship
                  and subject to the limitations of this paragraph (a).

                  A Participant who receives a hardship distribution, as
                  provided in this paragraph (a), or who has an outstanding
                  loan and receives an additional loan to relieve a
                  hardship, as provided in this paragraph (a), shall not be
                  permitted to make Pre-Tax Deposits and/or Post-Tax
                  Deposits pursuant to this Plan until the first payroll
                  date of the calendar month following the expiration of a
                  twelve (12) month period after receipt of either such
                  hardship distribution or such new loan in lieu of the
                  hardship distribution. The Participant must give the
                  Committee at least thirty (30) days advance notice to
                  resume Pre-Tax Deposits and/or Post-Tax Deposits."

15.      Effective February 1, 1998, subparagraph (2) of paragraph (e) of
         Section VII is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         "(2)     The loan may be applied for over the telephone, shall be
                  evidenced by a Promissory Note on a form available from
                  the Committee, shall bear interest at a rate comparable to
                  the prevailing interest rate charged by commercial lenders
                  for similar loans, shall be secured by the Participant's
                  Pre-Tax Deposit and Pre-Tax Match Accounts, and shall be
                  repayable in installments, by payroll deductions, over a
                  period not to exceed 234 weeks from the date of such loan,
                  or not to exceed 494 weeks in the case of a loan for the
                  purchase of the Participant's primary residence. If the
                  Participant is on unpaid leave, payments must be made
                  monthly and must be received by the Committee no later
                  than three (3) workdays before the first calendar day of
                  the month for which the payment is being made. The Note
                  shall be subject to repayment in whole or in part at any
                  time without premium or penalty. Partial repayment can be
                  made only once in a Plan Year and must be in full
                  increments of the current payment amount. Notes shall
                  become due and payable in full when the Participant ceases
                  to be an Employee."

16.      Effective February 1, 1998, subparagraph (5) of paragraph (e) of
         Section VII is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         "(5)     An application for a loan must be submitted at least
                  thirty (30) days prior to the first payday of the month
                  during which the loan is intended to be disbursed, and an
                  approved loan shall be disbursed on the first payday of
                  that month. Repayment through payroll deduction will begin
                  on the second payday following the payday on which
                  disbursement occurs. When payment is made in full
                  satisfaction of an outstanding loan, a new loan cannot
                  begin earlier than the third payday after payment in full
                  of the prior loan. The dollar amounts to be loaned shall
                  be taken from the investment Accounts in the same
                  proportion as the investment Account balances bear to each
                  other. No Participant may borrow any sum hereunder so long
                  as any previous loan to such Participant remains unpaid,
                  except as provided under paragraph (a) of this Section."

17.      Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (f) of Section VII is amended
         to replace the word "subsections" with the word "paragraphs".

18.      Effective November 1, 1998, the eighth sentence of paragraph (g) of
         Section VIII is hereby amended to read as follows:

         "Minimum distributions shall be withdrawn from each investment fund
         or funds in the same proportion as the balance of the investment
         funds bear to each other."

19.      Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (h) of Section VIII is hereby
         amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         "(h)     Deferral of Distribution. Notwithstanding the above, a
                  ------------------------
                  Participant may elect to defer his distribution until as
                  late as the Participant's Normal Retirement Date, if the
                  total value of the Participant's distribution is $5,000 or
                  greater. The Participant's Account shall be set equal to
                  his distribution entitlement and shall continue to be

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  allocated its share of Plan investment earnings during
                  such deferral. Participant and/or spousal consent shall
                  not be required if distribution is being made because the
                  Participant's Account is less than $5,000."

20.      Effective November 1, 1998, paragraph (j) of Section VIII is hereby
         amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         "(j)     Payment due to Qualified Domestic Relations Order. Payment
                  -------------------------------------------------
                  to an alternate payee pursuant to a Qualified Domestic
                  Relations Order shall be made in one lump sum payment, as
                  soon as administratively feasible after the Committee
                  determines that the domestic relations order is a
                  Qualified Domestic Relations Order (as defined in Section
                  414(p) of the Code), and after the Committee has delivered
                  notice of the distribution to the alternate payee (as
                  described by paragraph (k) of this Section), in an amount
                  specified in such domestic relations order. Payment to an
                  alternate payee may be made before the time the
                  Participant's vested account balance becomes payable to
                  the Participant.

                  To the extent the Qualified Domestic Relations Order
                  requires payment of all or any portion of a Participant's
                  account to an alternate payee on or after the
                  Participant's earliest retirement age (as defined in
                  Section 414(p) of the Code), such amount shall be
                  segregated into a separate account for such alternate
                  payee and shall be invested among the respective
                  investment funds in the same ratio as the Participant's
                  account immediately prior to such segregation, and, if
                  directed investments are available, the alternate payee
                  shall then be entitled to direct the investment of the
                  segregated funds. Payment shall then be made to the
                  alternate payee at the time and in the form specified in
                  the Qualified Domestic Relations Order."

21.      Effective November 1, 1998 a new paragraph (f) is hereby added at
         the end of Section XI to read as follows:

         "(f)     Administrative Delegate. The Committee shall have the
                  -----------------------
                  authority and discretion to engage an Administrative
                  Delegate who shall perform, without discretionary
                  authority or control, administrative functions within the
                  framework of policies, interpretations, rules, practices,
                  and procedures made by the Committee or other Plan
                  fiduciary. Any action made or taken by the Administrative
                  Delegate may be appealed by an affected Participant to the
                  Committee in accordance with the claims review procedures
                  provided in paragraph (i) of Section XV. Any decisions
                  which call for interpretations of Plan provisions not
                  previously made by the Committee shall be made only by the
                  Committee. Administrative Delegate means one or more
                  persons or institutions to whom the Committee has
                  delegated certain administrative functions pursuant to a
                  written agreement."

22.      Effective November 1, 1998, the second sentence of paragraph (a) of
         Section XIV is hereby amended to replace the word "subsection" with
         the word "paragraph".

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

23.      Effective November 1, 1998, the second sentence of paragraph (d) of
         Section XV is hereby amended to replace the word "subsections" with
         the word "paragraphs".

24.      Effective November 1, 1998, the third sentence of subparagraph (1)
         of paragraph (h) of Section XV is hereby amended to replace the
         word "subsection" with the word "paragraph".

                                   /s/ GERALD T. MCNEIVE, JR.
                                   --------------------------
                                   Title:  Senior Vice President - Finance
                                           and General Counsel

                                   /s/ D. H. YAEGER
                                   ----------------
                                   Title:  Chairman, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

             AMENDMENTS TO THE MISSOURI NATURAL GAS DIVISION OF
             --------------------------------------------------
                    LACLEDE GAS COMPANY DUAL SAVINGS PLAN
                    -------------------------------------

1.       Effective April 15, 2001, the first sentence of paragraph (a) of
         Section IV is hereby amended to read as follows:

         "Participant Matchable Deposits for each Plan Year shall be made in
         one percent (1%) increments with a minimum of two percent (2%) and
         a maximum of eight percent (8%) of Earnings."

2.       Effective April 15, 2001, the first sentence of paragraph (c) of
         Section IV is hereby amended to read as follows:

         "Each Participant, in addition to the deposit under paragraph (a)
         of this Section IV, may designate additional deposits up to seven
         percent (7%) of his Earnings in any Plan Year for credit to his
         deposit accounts."

                                     /s/ GERALD T. MCNEIVE, JR.
                                     --------------------------
                                     Title:  Senior Vice President - Finance
                                             and General Counsel

                                     /s/ D. H. YAEGER
                                     ----------------
                                     Title:  Chairman, President and
                                             Chief Executive Officer

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00032-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00032-of-00352.parquet"}]]