New-York tribune., 1869-03-03
TIE LEGISLATITE Gas INVESTIGATION
.............. C0AlfITTEE.

The Assembly Gas Investigation COMMITTEES
met yesterday morning Nicholas Hotel All
members were present follows Peter Mitchell Chair
man. Messrs la Bau, Bender Hodges, Baker, Weed and
Bergen.
Nit wakeman President Of the Harlem Gas Co.. was
called and testified that oil the bills Of his company
made out by tho Secretary who Is large stockhoder
since August last .he dividend has been increasing;
meters are nspec before the the Harlem Co. by
contract charged the city SIS for each lamp the
charge Ia s50
oscar ZOnicofer President Of the Metropolitan Gas
Hight CO.. testified that his company bad been in opera
ton five years. organized under special charter the
capital stock Is t2,50oOOo; they declared 10
per cent dividend, once a. and last year 70;
can rlise or depress the prices as they please
make returns 10 any officer unless called for charge
e. per 1909 feet but before the coal rose high just
before tho close Of the war, they charged y go when
s at So ard onefour st @ used to pay 6
to e. and then charged q so coal now from 9 70 M
sold par slOO to-day u can be sold for $50;
oar Illuminating Poweris on The London standard; from
foot burner We have now from l6 10 Ia there IA
iampiiehtcrs Gas is not cut OF until after
two notlceA Inspectors receive " rs per day.
IL give bettorgss than f. given IN London the best
gas made IN Russia; they IL Is 30 candlcsi the gas
hyrae Of lime; think is decidedly the best purifier,
nlthourh the Board OF Health dispute that"
John H. Adam, President Of the kew-IOrk GasLight
Company, was placed on the stand lie thought that
while they did not get up 20 the standard OF the other
companies, Yet s. per 900 feet would be enough
charge, although he charged more. lie thought there
was false impression on the public mind AZ regarded
the profits, for some thought Charged but II
not so with regard to the illumination. he would trust
about him. after they know what coal WIS used,
to tell within half candle what the light; in short
time the Company would have man who would do
nothing eso bnt attend 10 the photometer In fact they
had who had lutte else 10 do ho thought that
lime was superior to anything In deordorzng the gas,
but the Manhattan Company had adopted the oxide OF
IRON aud certainly the odoF not bad his hnpres
zion that the sulphur would be taken ont easier by
the ordc OF by me that FOR chemiss 10
aY,nO
not as good Rs our own He thought with ordn'
AIRY care which people viii not take that 90 per cent
might be faycd 20 the Consumers pay all tho
Revenue tax ooO feet Of generated from 1000
The Chairman asked The witness what dividend the
New-Nork Gas Company declared annually but he de
Cined 10 answer unless the Committee ordered him The
Chairman then put the question 10 the Committee
whether not be should answer and tho Committee de
aud lie agaln refused until he could consult counsel
This Hcceded 10, He was then asked by the Chair
man whether. IN his opinion, the Company could not
supply consumers of NJ less rate thah thnt now
charged lie gave IL hts opinon that they could be
supplied for por 1000 lees. providing gold re-
maiued a the same price that " Is now lie also stated
that the Gao Company NOT restricted TO charge any
particular price neither they compelled 10 give any
standard quality OF under the law as " now stands
The Committee then adjourned nhtl TINS morning at
o'clock when IL expected some startling developments
will be made.
the chairman, Mt Mitchell, Mr. Ia Bau, Mr.. BENDER aud
MI bergen. visited, NJ the Invitation Of Prot Doronus.
the Newly College for the purpose Of Witnessing the
illuminating power ~ After witnessing the expert
the Illuminating power OF the gas tested mp 90 te
statements made hy the Presidents Of the gas companies
the cmbers of the Committee called the attention OF his
to the statements made by the Presidents who
or u sperIn candles, whereas Prof Doremus demon
nrsed tier intention Of snmmonlng Prof aud
Prof Chandler chemist 10 the Board of Health, hid
snbpoenas were cd last evening on Prof Chandler,
Dr Skinner Prof Wurtz, Jacob NJ Long Superhtesd.ht
OF the Harlan Gas Company and the engineer OF The
works Of MIR. BnmOrc.