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This newspaper page contains 14 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Chicago Eagle
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jan 21, 1899
Page
2
The piece accuses Chicago Gas Trust of monopolizing gas service via frontage laws in 1807 and denounces abuses by lawmakers, citing Governor Altgeld and figures like MacVeagh and Head. It warns of prosecutions, calls for taxing trust profits, and notes court tests of the Gas Consolidation and Frontage Law with stockholders preparing a constitutional challenge.
A historical critique argues that the Gas Trust robs Chicago residents, renting gas ranges to the poor at high prices and using intensified pressure through pipes, especially during evenings of meal preparation. The passage frames gas pressure as a coercive tactic to extract more money from households.
A letter to the Eagle calls on the Attorney General the Sanga mon County Grand Jury and lawmakers to pursue gas bribery and mail poisoning schemes. It urges public opinion and personal duty to expose corruption in the legislative process and questions Jim Mary’s attendance at the session.
An attack on Chicago gas interests claims the Gas Trust finances lawmakers to secure a monopoly. It warns of higher rates after July 1 1899 unless the Consolidation and Frontage Bills are repealed, urging citizens to oppose bribery and defend public institutions and vulnerable groups.
The text discusses investigations into alleged corrupt acts around gas and street lighting contracts. It notes a push for a thorough Sangamon County Grand Jury inquiry, moves to reduce city lighting costs, and a Comptroller directive to solicit bids for lighting with gas electricity gasoline or naphtha for a year beginning January 1 1899. It mentions a Senate figure possibly agreeing to testify and describes a tearful interview about the Gas Trust and boodle methods.
The text discusses longstanding attacks on the Legislature by corrupt interests seeking to pervert justice for dishonest corporations and trusts. It notes that most cases come to light only when approached legislators resist bribes and report to authorities, leaving many bribe acts unknown.
Residents fault an entity named the Octopus for operating without a franchise and diverting funds it does not earn. A City Council resolution, introduced by Alderman Cullerton on November 28, declares Chicago streets lit by gas lamps electric light and by gasoline and naphtha lamps and cites the City Comptroller on this lamp usage issue.
A former Cook County Senator who backed the gas consolidation bills is slated to witness before an Investigating committee. While intoxicated among gentlemen he exposed the alleged scheme and named bribe-givers and takers, citing the Gas Trust and its legal rights repeatedly.
Discussion centers on who pays hotel and railroad expenses aiding Mr Errant amid a consolidation of utilities into the People's Gas Company. Critics allege ordinances against consolidation were violated and that the gas quality is poor. A proposed law could empower the City Council to set gas prices as high as 3 to 3.50 per 1000 feet.
Influential men urged Republican and Democratic County Conventions to press senators and representatives in the General Assembly to repeal the gas consolidation act cited as causing perpetual robbery and hindering city ownership of a lighting plant. The report also notes attorney Joseph W. Errant’s prominent role among educators and his standing with pedagogues.
Two prominent Chicago lobbyists with broad access to funds for the warehouse bill have not appeared in Springfield since the session opened. The Eagle tracks their movements and will report when they depart on the Chicago and Alton train for the State capitol.
Alderman John F. Neagle of the Twelfth Ward introduces a resolution asking the Corporation Counsel to test the constitutionality of the gas consolidation act and to annul the Consumers Gas, People’s Gas Light and Coke, and Equitable Gas consolidation. He accuses corporations of buying laws and verdicts, questioning the drift of reforms.
The Gas Trust charts heavy profits from its monopoly. It guarantees the Ogden Company $200,000 yearly for not expanding its plant under its franchise, a cost burden that falls on the general public.
A column urges Chicago residents to oppose an unlawful group claiming authority. The author argues people tolerate theft only when the perpetrator lacks legal status, urging firm resistance and no sympathy for such actors.
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