Res 271 2/28/1955RESOLUTION NO. ''J
RESOLUTION ON RAILROAD COIIIUI I S S I ON SERVICES IN GAS RATE
MATTERS
WHEREAS, Articles 6050 to 6066, inclusive, Revised Civil Statutes,
authorize, empower and direct the Railroad Commission of Texas to:
1 ) regulate and fix reasonable rates of charges for natural gas, t2) hear
appeals by gas companies from rates fixed by city governments and determine
reasonable rates, (3) defend in court, rates fixed by the Commission where
the gas company appeals from the Commissionts orders, and (4) employ ac-
countants, engineers, experts and other persons necessary to enable it
at all times to inspect the property and records of gas companies;
WHEREAS, gas companies are `requir
dd
to pay the State one-fourth of
one per cent of their quarterly gross receipts to finance the Gas Util-
ities Division of the Railroad Commission, which amounts to more than
400,000 annually;
WHEREAS, Article 6066 limits the total annual amount whiah .mpy :be spent
by the Gas Utilities Division to not more than $70,000, thus leaving more
than $300,000 annually to be diverted to the States General Revenue Fund;
WHEREAS, cities and towns and their citizens are being required to
supply not only their own rate consultants, but are now expected to furnish
expert attorneys and engineers to help the Railroad Commission defend rate
cases appealed from decisions of the Commission to the District Courts in
Travis County; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature and the Railroad Commission should do
whatever is necessary to change the policies and laws of the State so as
to equip the Commission to do the job it is directed by law-to do;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen of the
City of Wichita Falls, Texas:
Section 1. The members ofthe governing body of the City of
Wichita Falls, Texas, hereby petition the 54th Legislature and the
Railroad Commission of Texas, to do whatever is necessary to make avail-
able to the Railroad Commission sufficient funds to allow it to perform
its duties and powers as set out in Articles 6050 to 6066, inclusive,
Revised Civil Statutes ofTexas, and specifically we request that
Article 6060 be amended so as to remove the $70,000 limitation on annual
expenditures by the Gas Utilities Division, thus leaving the total expen-
ditures to be fixed by the biennial appropriation bills.
Section 2. We urgently request the Railroad Commission to do all
that is in its power to finance the defense of pending cases against
the Commission.
Section 3. It is hereby directed that the Mayor shall send copies
of this Resolution to the State Senator and Representatives from this .
District and to the Railroad Commission at Austin, Texas.
Passed and Approved this, the 28th day of February, 1955.
May , City of Wichita Falls,
Texas
ATT
City Clerk
APPROVED AS Ti ORK:
j 4. a ter Fr berg,
City Attorn-y