Southwestern Gas & Electric Co. v. City of Shreveport
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal from a decree in favor of the’appellee, the effect of which is to enjoin the appellant from putting into effect rates for natural gas in excess of a schedule set out in the decree.
“should remain in force and effect as long as what is now known as the Oaddc gas field shall furnish gas in sufficient quantities with natural pressure to force such gas from the gas wells through the pipe line of the company to tne city of Shreveport, but, -should the supply of gas or the natural pressure diminish, so as to make it necessary to use artificial force or power either to pump the gas from the well or to force it through the pipe line of the company to the city of Shreveport, this amendment shall cease, and the rates herein fixed shall become inoperative and void, and the rates now authorized to be charged by said company, as fixed in said franchise, shall revive and become executory as if this amendment had never been passed, and in such event the said company shall be empowered and authorized to charge such rates as now fixed by its said franchise.”
Whether the contingency upon which the revivor of the old rates dependent had happened was the disputed question in the case. Its solution depends upon the construction of the words of the amended franchise, “what is now known as the Caddo gas field.” If the Pine Island field was included in the Caddo' gas field, as known on June 18, 1907, then the contingency had not arisen, for the District Court found,- and properly found, from the evidence, that the Pine Island field was capable of furnishing gas in sufficient volume and under natural pressure to supply the city of Shreveport. The District Judge also found that the Pine Island field was included in what was known as the Caddo gas field on June 18, 1907, and we are satisfied with the conclusion reached by him and the reasons expressed in his opinion for reaching that conclusion.
It seems clear to us that both the Pine Island field and the Annanias field were considered, at the time the amended franchise was granted by the .city of Shreveport, as parts of the Caddo field. They were both known as gas-producing fields at that time, and are mentioned as such in defining the term Caddo gas field, as used in the Atkins franchise, granted by the city of Shreveport on the same day. The record convinces us, not only that they were known as gas-producing fields, but as mere subdivisions of the Caddo gas field, in June, 1907, and that they were intended by all parties to be included in that term as used in the amended franchise.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- SOUTHWESTERN GAS & ELECTRIC CO. v. CITY OF SHREVEPORT
- Status
- Published