The collection consists of five series:
Michigan Circuit Court (Isabella County), Case No. 4305-transcripts, proceedings, and exhibits, 1948-1952;
MCGC-hearing papers, service rates, correspondence, map of service, and exhibits on Gas Franchise, 1930s-1953;
Michigan Public Service Commission, D3430-evidence, transcripts, petitions, hearing papers, reports, proceedings, applications and authorities to modify gas rates, briefs, testimonies, etc., 1930s-1955;
Michigan Supreme Court, Case No. 46,228-exhibits, papers, brief, notices, records and resolution, 1930s-1954; and
Related materials, mostly correspondence, 1948-1953.
Organizational History:
In 1931, the city of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, signed a gas franchise contract with the Gas Corporation of Michigan, which was eventually succeeded by Michigan Consumers Gas Company (MCGC). In 1948, MCGC decided to raise rates for gas. The city of Mount Pleasant protested and took the company to court at the circuit and state Supreme Court levels.
The collection was probably collected by Walter S. Ryder to document the history of the case for his classes or own interests. Ryder (1892-1956) was a minister, professor of history and social science at Macalester College (St. Paul, Minnesota), and professor of economics at Central Michigan University, 1942-1956. His papers are also housed at the Clarke Historical Library.
