Hemingray Glass Company

MUST SHOW THE CITY COUNCILMEN

Just the Same as if They Were

All from Missouri, on the

Gas Question.

ALL WERE DENOUNCED

By A. L. Johnson of the Muncie Company,

But the Blisters were Soothed by

Mr. Ziegler of the Heat, Light &

Power Company - Strong Resolution

Passed by the Persistent City Dads.

City council met in regular session Monday night and as usual the gas question was the chief topic. The session was attended by a number of citizens who have been waiting and watching with interest what action council would take on the gas problem. Council caucused from 8 till 9:30 o'clock. After assembling in council chamber the following resolution was read by Councilman Budd of the Sixth ward, and passed by the council:

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, said companies should granted;

Resolved, therefore, That said companies be and they hereby are requested such 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 are 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.

After the passing of the resolution A. L. Johnson of the Muncie Natural Gas Company, arose to his feet and addressed council. Mr. Johnson in part stated that he thought council had treated the gas company unfairly, and that for the last four weeks he had remained in Muncie neglecting his business interests in order to be present when final action should be taken by council. Mr. Johnson also scored the press of Muncie, saying that it had treated the companies in a manner that was not very becoming, etc. Mr. Johnson continued, "You can gain what information you need to know from citizens who are not members of the gas companies. Some months ago the Muncie Natural Gas Company made an attempt to secure more gas but we do not feel that we are under obligation to buy gas at a higher price than we sell it for. We feel that we have fulfilled our obligations and do not deny that the Muncie Natural Gas Company has made money, but we are not going to purchase more gas and sell it at a loss." H. O. Zeigler of the Heat, Light and Power Company next had the stand. Mr. Zeigler showered the council with complements and ended by saying that he hoped council would act quickly on the proposed ordinances of the gas companies. Remarks regarding the gas question were made by T. F. Hart, J. A. Keener, John Hutchings, J. M. Maring, and Ralph Hemingray.

A petition signed by F. C. Ball of Ball Bros., The Hemingray Glass Company, and residents of that district, asking that certain streets and alleys be vacated, was presented. The petition which was read by Councilman Youse was a correction of a similar petition for vacation filed a few years ago, and which had not been properly carried through. The petition was referred to the committee on streets and alleys.

A petition for the vacation of the alley from Jackson to Adams, between Beacon and Ebright streets was read and referred to the same committee.

The report of Superintendent Orabbe of Beech Grove cemetery for the month of January showed that the expenditures were $836.75, while the receipts were $465.25, leaving a balance of 125.50.