The New York herald., 1869-03-05

the influence Of the companies; there was COM
few days ago, because I mad found three per cent
against the company.
puties and myself, several thousands OF meters
yearly; complaint against me for incapacity or dis
honesty would have 10 be made, believe, 10 the
Governor; the Governor can remove me only Tor
cause; DO not always see the deputies at work;
believe they are faithful; | never heard
found % exsp after they haS SaS Sesn Sesn
used my attention has been called to the fact
ing them from me and found them incorrect; my
deputies are gas filters. out do not think they are
practical gas meter constructors
Al. L. Calender, editor OF the GdSlfght Journal
being called and examined by the chairman, testi-
fied that he had made the subject OF gaslight his
study for fifteen years; Boston and St LOUIS furnish
the best gas in St. Louis the price is four dollars per
thousand and Boston three dollars and half; The
power of the gas in those cities is about eighteen
candles in New York 1t is from fourteen to sixteen
candles; think 1t would be difficult for the Legsla-
ture to regulate the price OF gas ana the standard
rial vary SO much In this country; the price OF coal
is lower now than 1t was three years ago.
yet the price OF gas has been increased; there is no
very material difference IN the quality OF gas fur
nished by the companies in this city; do not think
the other companies could very well furnish gas at
the same rate as the Manhattan; receive notices OF
dividends declared by some OF the companies: 1
could not judge as TO whether there was any reason
to warrant the increase in price OF gas furnished the
city from twentyeight dollars to fifty and ffty-three
dollars per year; think could tell from observa-
tion the number OF feet a burner would allow to
judge were i've feet burners.
BY Mr.. Bergen-The companies have furnished
their gas; think the cause of the fine gas n Boston
and st. Louis depends on the coal; the cost the
coal in st. Louis is considerably more than 1t Is
here; the yield OF gas there IL rather less than In
this city; they use the Peoria coal there; careful
management and experience in operations OF gas
works will materially reduce the cost OF gas; think
better quality of gas could be furnished at lower
price. The witness then went into lengthy and
dQnt v a Vnf nf ND or ba III mad Cf
would give much cheaper and much better gas than
the companies now give.
sumner VI the gas furnished by the Manhattan Gas
Company testified that from April l, 1865 10 Decem-
Der 2s, lSes, the oils varied very much; was using
about sixteen eighteen lights; from April to Sep
tember the monthly bills were from SIG to SIS; in
the middle OF October the bill increased to $50 80;
slO5 90; complained to the president Of the com
pany and he stated that the meter must be out OF
order; the. gas company sent q man who m
gas OFF, sent for Mr.. Davidson and paid
him So so for the inspection; ne sent q man
against me, although he just now swOre that eight
per cent was the highest he had ever found; then
went to the vice-presdent and he told me the CON-
pany's inspector had found t nine per cent against
me; that they would split the difference and deduct
ten per cent from the bill; their gas filter and his
son came to my place and could find no leak;
ordered the meter to be taken out and since then
have been using kerosene; mentioned to clerk in
the employ OF the company that / had a notion TO
sue the company; he assured me that it would be
useless as the company would be sure to beat me;
then agreed TO take the ten per cent deduction.
On motion or Mr.. Bergen the committee went into
executive session. after which recess was taken
until three p. NJ
After recess the committee reassembled, and
JohnH Adam. President Of the New York Cas-
light Company, being recalled and sworn, was ex-
amlned. lie stated tnat he mad received the sub
books beca1se he believed the committee had not
been authorized TO make any such examination, and
because the Legislature had no right to give any
such power or authorize any committee to request
corporation TO produce any Of its papers records
more than IL would those OF any private individual.
The witness was very persistent in his assertion
that he would not do as the committee desired un-
less the Supreme Court OF Errors directed him to do
So He went on to inform the committee what he
termed the ridiculous absurdIty OF the questions put
by the committee.
The Chairman then intimated that the committee
might lind it necessary to place the witness under
arrest for contempt.
Witness stated that he would take the risk Of the
arrest and let the matter go to the Court OF Errors
The Chairman--We do not propose to bring this
matter into the Court OF Errors, but TO make report
to the Legislature. We do not regard any gas CON-
pany private concern. We are here TO ascertain
now the consumers or gas can be protected against
tivey how mucn nrots the COMPANIES are mainr RGa
and the amount OF the dividends they enabled to
declare, 80 that We may know whether or not the COM
paes afford to furnish better gas at lower price,
and as you refused to state anything about your
dividends the other day we want those books here,
and II you persist in refusing to bring them Will
put 1t to vote OF the committee whether we shall
report the fact TO the Assembly that the orders Of the
COmtulllee nave Deen treated WIN contempt.
Witness working himself up TO high pitch
OF nervous excitement and frequently attempted to
interrupt the chairman He finally called the coun-
sci OF the Manhattan Gas Company and requested |
him to note the legal objections he would make. |
After short consultation the counsel stated that
before the question would be put in regard to arrest
ing witness for contempt he would inform |
the committee that witness would answer |
any questions that they might put to him,
his individual responsibility Witness stated that
amer the testimony given by one OF the stockholders
he had no objection to answer any questions.
The Chairman then said he would waive the ques- |
ton Of arrest for contempt for the present.
Examination resumed.-The receipts OF the CON- |
pany during the past year were about $500 the
receipts for gas from consumers can be got at very
easily from the assessors books; the amount OF sales
Is matter OF public notoriety, and at So so q
thousand amounts to SO much money.
Being reminded by Mr.. Bergen that the committee
wanted the answer from him, witness stated that
81, SOC, 600 would not be $4,000 out OF the way.
The profits last year were $45i,ooo, $4,000 OF
which was for interest securities and $1,000 or
5000 sales OF securities. Mr.. Newcomers tesi-
mony is in the main c0rrect but the profits from
duce anybody TO continue In the business; our pro-
perty is valued at about 81 900, ,000 have very
large surplus fund.- the last sale OF stock the price
Here the witness leaned over and requested the
Chairman TO let that question IN regard % producing
additional light on the matter.
Examined by Mr.. LaBau-We have never tried to
increase our capital stock by legislative enacments
tnng, because we know Il would cost US great deal
to get the laws passed
by the CnalrInan-Do not know Of my own know
ledge that such Is the case, but II Ii very natural
inference, Just as natural that an apple falling
nom tree II It fall IN curved line, must have been
subjected TO some influence to bring IL into the
curve; know that persons live IN the country
round about Albany who live on what they make
by having laws passed; have never had any thug
10 DO with any Of these people myself
and do not wish to have; do not know
personally anybody who has paid any money for
such purpose. but know II Is dOne know IL by
inlerence know 1t 1or the reason know there
- LONDON, although can't prove 1t: why II IL Just
rs mueh Tact and Just as plain as that two and two
make Tour; know 1t, as said only by inference.
During this pleasant little dialogue, which two or
three o the members joined In, the witness who by
TIE way, ~ scky looking and evidently consump-
i've lndiVldua- mad been gradually increasing the |
pressure on nls nerves, and the conversation |