The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-14

II VIII be seen that for 1871 those companies
that supply the compact nnu populous portion
Of the citv-the New York, Manhattan and
Mutual Companies have apparently united On
one bid, and the reason for the conclusion That
this was prearraugeu IA found In the fact that
these companies do not Oid Tor the lamps In
each Others possession but each remains con-
tent with the territory now under rs contract.
The New York, Manhattan. and Metropolitan
Conn tnies might have Did against tho Mutual
Company. or the Mutual might have bid against
those three companies, a. ttcncroaches unon the
territory covered by each OF tnem. but no
such competition has been entered into.
The bids OF the Metropolitan ana Harlom
Com panies are considered to be much more far
thau those OF the other COMPANIES because the
streets through which those two companies
have mains often contain no houses, aud the
entire territory Is more or less wild ana I'm need
OF heavy expenditures for blasting, LAYING OF
mains. aud erection Of lamps. The New YORK,
the Manhattan. ana the Mutual on the other
hand, supply the solid and compact portions OF
the city, in which every house Is a consumer,
and where NJ expenses beyond those required
to keep the stock III repair will ever be incurred.
II seems probaole that II the II rem and Metro
uolitln can suOply the lamps at S.}1I and $j2,
respectively, dependent as they are upon that
portion OF their business the New YORK, Man
haitian. and Mutual can AFFORD to make the same
supply Tor "A very much smaller SUN.
IL is id that the PROPOSALS this year include
an agreement TO Keep tue lanpposts painted,
aud to incur other expenses IA the way of re-
pairs that were not demanded IN the past
heretofore tue companies have been called
upon simply to light and extinguish, clean anu
glaze the lamps. his additional requirement Is
given As one of the reasons for the Increased
bids. The general opinion in the city Hall IS
that the bids will be rejected. Hubert q.
Ihuml son, private secretary Of President Camp
bell. said as much, and added that ne believed
the cNturtion was attempted because Mr.. Green
was no longer Comptroller. This explanation Ia
generally received, and there ar. those who are
Ia "a position to speak knowingly who say that
the pids will be thrown Out III kerosene lamps
have Ia be substituted for gas" From high
official source came This. hint to reporter Of
lHE SUN: Perhaps ~ lie legislation may be
found useful in bringing the companies to
terms. and again. perhaps II would strike terror
10 their souls 10 have an iuves igAtiun set On
foot To discover whether some Of their charters
huVe.npt exuired"
Mayor Nlcknam said he could not tell what
might be the acti ln Of the city IN regard TO the
cXtorti0n. lie thOuZnt IL strange that tae In
crease IN prices should be made when the cost
Z coal aud labor aud commodities generally
Is decreasing. A. there was no competition in
tie bids. but an apparently concerted move
lies against the citV. The Mayor thought II
would DC found. upon Investigation. that very
manv leading ciuzers who are conspicuous
upon the ~de If reform are directors or stock
holders ia the gas companies. PRIV a.. consume
err, are charged s2jJ "a thousand. At TINS rate,
| the cost OF city lamp that burns about ll.jJJ
feet ~ gas year would De $3.50. The eppro-
| uriltion Tor lighting tue lamps this yer was
! SEQ 40. A compliance with the demands II
! "a gas companies would render necessary ior
IA A. year Hi apulupfl ton Cd. sh}i.tyJ.
"it l. tl.tcuiou-. aai4 thc Mayor, IN conclu-
| sion "to sN tAat th7 yeas bids are ral-rd
| because Comptroller Green has gone out aud
Juh holly Is likely Co. Toe more ieuten' and M re
| easily managed. me fact j.. the COmpuolier
| can do nothing except a- a mem Der 81 a COM
| tuitsee IA which there are Two other members"