Richardson Gas & Oil Co. v. City of Altoona

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Porter, J.:

In September, 1903, Altoona, a city of the third class, passed an ordinance granting a franchise to the Hemme Gas Company to furnish natural gas to the city and its inhabitants. Under the franchise the city had the option to purchase the gas plant at a fair valuation in case the company during the life of the contract desired to sell the same.

The company accepted the franchise, erected a plant and supplied the city and its inhabitants with gas for several months, when it sold its interests to B. E. Ladow. A few months thereafter the…