New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-28
MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS.
LIGHTING THE CITY
STA rEMENT OF COMMISSIONER VAN NoRT-HE
CLAIMS TO HAVE EFFECTED A SAVING OF
rItN

ST ATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER VAN NoRT-HE
CLAIMS TO HAVE EFFECTED A SAVING OF
1884 762 IN TEN MONTHS.
Commissioner Van Mort states that he intends
70 invite proposals for furnishing to the markets.
pube buildings and institutions which come under MS
nrovnce from the new gas company as well as the Ola
and he believes that the company Will proDaDy %
abe 10 underbid the old companies along the inc OF inc
principal thoroughfares, as the pipes Oh 'ne io'.o o
only laid along those Streets while each ono Oh Vno ~
companies, by special arran2emehe' mas 10 PPos
laid through different parts of tho city He fears that
tho Department should award the lighting Of the main
streets TO the now company that the charges OF the oher
copanies ia the side streets would be exorDan because
there is no competition. Van Mort states That ne
has not certified to the claims OF the gas companies for
this year. and has made demand on the Controller iOr
the amount and will not do until the amounts claimed
are satisfactory to the Controller az well as himself
A TRIBUNE reporter obtained yesterday the following
statement from Mr. Van Mort regard TO his connection
with the gas claims. He said:
The statement published in THE TRIBUNE OF to-day OF
interviews had with the Controller the Secretary OF inc
Department OF Parks, and the several gas companies
the subject OF the claims for gas furnished inc cly
in 1871 il calculated 10 misrepresent tbs Department az
to its position with regard to such claims anu ths Pe
OF gas for public lamps for the present year IL u
stated that simultaneously with the investigations
made by the Controller into the claims OF the gas com
paues the latter made propositions 10 reduce Tue poe
Dropesfions were the result of the Investigations As
early as last February the Commissioner OF FuDuc
the excessive prices charged for gas for public lamps
aud invited conference with the officers Of the several
Companies 10 discuss the matter ana come 10 an uhue
standing as the price OF for the current year
This conference had on March 2 wheh the p0 0
missioner proposed $40 annually for each lamp as Iaf
price; but the gas companies would only consent 70
reduction from S53 charged last year. 10 ~ o anu
made this conditional the prompt payment OF tncI
old claims and current accounts. m orrsr tls'p
the city might benefit by this reduction, the
Commissioner urged the speedy auditing OF the
claims for 1871. not at their face, as Is alleged
by the Secretary OF the department OF PARKS,
but In the best manner possible 10 ecJ an carry setto
ment and at the time protect the citys interests
the understanding between the gas companies ana
the Department Public Works fixing the price or gas
per lamp at So 80 annually the revenue tax on gas mas
further reduction $50 per lamp 20 take effect from
August always Teserylng the condition OF prompt pay
ment By the city. Whatever reduction therefore, mas
made by the gas companies IN the price OF gas LOT
of Public Works, aud not to the Investigation ordered
by the Controller, the action OF the
Secretary Of tho Park Commission. The report OF
the examiners appointed by the Controller, on te CLAIMS
10 the number OF lamps In front OF hotels cluDhOuses
saloons &C. supplied with at the expense or the city
neither the Commissioner Of Public Works nor the gas
companies had the right to dsobey the orders OF the
Commissioner called the attention OF the common
Council TO this subject in communication date1
March 10, and again under date or June 10 anu
Oct 8, urging action is part TO aDate tls
abuse. The Board OF Aldermen has since adopted
resolution that these lamps be ugntei at inc
expense the parties benefited but 10 mas not yet re-
ceyed the concurrence or the Assistant Atusr
Meantime the Department OF Public Works has ehectsd
saving Of S53i762 80 in the cost or lighting and nam
tanning public lamps for the 10 months ending OCT 81 as
compared with the corresponding period last year,
lighting and maintaining public lamps from jan 70
OCT 81 1872. and for the same period IN 1871: