The New York herald., 1876-12-14

1t will be observed the prices paid In 1873 were
even higher than those asked 1877; but this
was because the New York Mutual had not yet begun
to drivean entering wedge into the monopoly enjoyed
BY the four companies.
VIOLATING THE Law.
Now, It is a fact which it may be worth while 70
point out to city authorities who charged with
guarding the city treasury against depredatons like
these that the distinctly forbIds the companies
to charge more than uniform rate TO all their con.
sumers and that this attempt charge tho city more
is clear violation of the law. The gas companies
charge their private consumers only from 81 70 81 so
per 1000 feet, and the lighting OF .
street lamp requires by city ordinances
1900 feet. tho cost to the city should
be from $23. to $2s rs, and no more Tho gas CON-
panies claim, through their respective prosdsnts-
Messrs. c. X. Garrison OF the Mutual Lees OF the
New York, General Roome OF tho Manhattan, and
Zollkofer Of the Metropoltan-that the expense Of
repairing and lighting the lamps is considerable; but
this is councrbalanccd fact that the companies
have to employ for their private indexers
examiners Of metcrs and collectors, who have to col
lcct vast number Of petty sums under great dna-
cuties. while the city is an enormous consumer that
pays IN bulk and without trouble. Having thus shown
that there IS whatever TO charge the city
moro than private consumers the law may here b
quoted 10 prove that 1t Is fragrant violation Of xw:-
Chapter 1874 OF ths Of IAN act u
By gas e p The counties Of Ne.
the State Of York represented in senate and Assem
sEcrloN lit shall bo lawful for any corporation
N.w % hS .n % 9 % in a the s9ups
San s for 50 a s s s n M
consumers provided that nothns in this act
CO s any % % hssSs r. &
70 private consumers from making special for
ro% Charging rate 30 those ecnsanins large
su.nti.iss provided IN al .ha. the charge LOO
y 4. % es
sass sasS @ sss
by the person persons against whom such overhargs y
SEC a.-This act shall take effect Immediately.
WHAT ruK coRPoRArIos Council says
The Corporation Counsel, Mr.. Whitney, was called
upon in reference to the subject and he gave It
opinion that In the case OF contract entered into be.
tween the city and the companies the companies could
be prosecuted Tor overcharges but the csy
contract ami rejected tho bids. aud the companies
than thar mn ra.cs thcv roud osr,sn,s he I.e
bic 10 be prosecuted under the law. Mr. Whitney SAID
that the legal interests OF tho city would certainly be
guarded aud promised TO look into the matter to
what loyal remedies there were He OF the opinion
that the charters o two Of the companies had already
expired, and on reference TO the Revised Ordinancea
OF 1859 this found to be the and learned
that the charter OF the New York Company expired In
1858, whic that o the Manhattan terminated IN 1863
OTHER EEFoRMs NECESSARY.
While these rapacous companies should DO pro-
vented from ovcrchafgng the city other reforms are
Legislature soon rs Il meets In Albany According
to tue agreement tho gas which these companies fur
nsh should be equal 70 the light oil sixteen candics
Now there is very good authority for saying that in
the fulhlmens OF this provision .he companies
woiully behind But whether they do not, there 10
test whatever applied to II they do. In Scot
land Yard in London, tho gas is continually burned
within scientific test apparatus which shows pre-
ciscy the power OF tho light ~ any hour OF the day
night, and II the light falls below the twelve candle
power required by The English contracts
spopding deduction Is made IN the price paid
as 10 whether the gas companies here furnish the
IL 500 feet stipulated and ior which they are paid il
is entirely left their OF they
may furnish III, 500 or they may only 0OO TINS
is certainly wrong Tests should bs made only Of
tho power but also oil tho quantity of the gas tho
latter could be asccrancd BY measuring tho pressure
ARE WE AT rnfIR xEgcYy
The gas comptncs, TO judge from their present ao-
tion evidently oil the opinion the taxpayers
are completely Ia their hands. II they demand $36
500 und $57 per lamp for 1878. ana 20
II ever iherc were .'souossn corporations
thoy are among them Said prominent citizen 10
tho wri,cr:-"Ihc only thing now TO do Is 70 SHOW
them that the already suffering taxpayers cannot he
nceced ut their pleasure. Let the Gas Commissioners
take a determined stand and resoutoIy reject ali
these bids which on thcir face unooubtcdy tho ro
suits oil secret conspiracy, and then let LeRisla
turc take such measures as TO put stop to similar
temps IN tho iuturo nnd rs TO hold the companies
strict execution OF their contracts both 10 10 the
power and quantity Of the gas iurnshcd.n AZ lar az
the Harlem Companyis concerned there Is happily
clause In their contract which enables tho city 10
purchase ther works al OF ten per cont,
ana tns company WI certainly prefer thor present
fat monopoly to such contingency. Al present
prices the gas companies earn enormous profts and
their stock Is not 10 be bought ut any price.
No COMPROMISE
Tho Gas Commission, which consists OF Mayor
Wckham, Comptroller Kelly and Commissioner Camp
6cl VIII hold an Adjourned meeting this afternoon
" IS stated thoy Will thcn take some steps "a
compromise with the gas companies and prevent The
increase Of prices asked in the proposals.
TO judge from The public ecng on tho matter ex.
pressed In all quarters the commission that talks 0t
any compromise short Of the regular rate VII Ind
itself face to lace with the indignation Of 900 out