Council passes resolution regarding gas; Ralph Hemingray spoke

MADE SPEECHES

AND ARGUED

Councilmen and Citizens Generally

Discuss the Gas

Question.

PASSED ANOTHER

RESOLUTION

Some Impatience Shown by Messrs.

Zeigler and Johnson and Others

in Talks to the Council.

After caucussing for a few minutes last night the members of the council announced that they had passed a reso­lution and that until the terms of the resolution had been complied with no further action would be taken on the gas question. The resolution follows:

Whereas, The Muncie Natural Gas company and the Heat, Light and Power company are requesting this common council to permit said companies to charge higher prices for natural gas than such companies are now permitted to charge, representing that they can not profitably produce and sell gas at said present prices; and,

Whereas, This common council desires to deal fairly and equitably with said companies, at the same time pro­tecting the just rights of the citizens of Muncie; and

Whereas, A number of the members of this council feel that they are with­out proper information regarding the prices at which said companies are able at a fair profit to sell such gas, and without such information are unable to determine what advance of price, if any, such companies should be granted;

Resolved, therefore, That said com­panies be and they are hereby reque­sted each to furnish to this council a statement showing its receipts and expenditures by the month from April 1, 1901 (said date being when collections were first made at said present prices in obedience to the judgment of the Randolph Circuit court)), to the pres­ent time, showing separately and in detail what part of said expenditures has been for drilling wells, gas rentals, pipe lines and other expenses incident to producing and selling such gas, to­gether with such other facts as said companies may deem necessary to enable this council to ascertain the price at which said gas can be profitably sold.

Resolved; also that further consideration of said requests for higher prices be postponed until after said statements have been furnished as requested.

Resolved, also, that the City Clerk be, and he hereby is, directed promptly to furnish each of said companies with a copy of this resolution.

Last night's meeting was, in reality, a session given over to speeches on the gas question. About every citizen in the council, whether a member of the council or not was given a chance to be heard and a number of pointed talks were made. Prior to the open session the members of the council caucussed a while. Then they came out and were about ready to adjourn when the long-drawn-out part of the meeting commenced.

A. L. Johnson of the Muncie Natural Gas company was present and asked for a hearing. The request was grant­ed and Mr. Johnson proceeded to say that he felt that the members of the council were not acting fairly with the company. Mr. Johnson stated that he had remained in this city three weeks neglecting business interests elsewhere waiting the action of the council. He added that he felt that the members of the council and the daily papers had not treated the gas question to his liking. H. C. Zeigler followed Mr. Johnson and asked that the council act at once either one way or another on the gas franchise matter. T. F. Hart of the American Window Glass company was present and told the mem­bers of the council that he believed none of them were familiar with the gas question. John A. Keener, attorney, stated that he believed that gas question was one that should be settled as soon as possible. Careful and unprejudiced consideration was what Mr. Keener believed should be given.

John Hutchings, a former councilman, also made a short talk as did also Ralph Hemingray and J. M. Maring.

The usual bills were allowed.