New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-29
DISCUSSING THE GAS BILL
THE MEASURE oArEgED TO THIRD READING
WITHOUT AMENDMENT

$500 "N"SSAsH oHhbhLD w Third READING
WITHOUT AMENDMENT
lraoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE rslsux,
ALBANY, April <5.-o.dLcd back vf .,e
Assembymen at the opening OF the session this menIog
large number of membes Of the Gas Consumers,
Association OF Sewyork, who present TO listen IA
the DEBATE the Dill to lower the price OF kas In New
York.
Walter Howe, OF New-York. managed the bill Early
in the day lie had to protect it from peril Earl Of
Kings County, seeing that only small number Of
Assembymen were present at the beginning or TIA
session. attempted switch tho Gas bill on side track
although 1t was a special order for consideration Hs
demanded the enforcement OF the ninth joint ruiz
which requires the reading OF bills ready for a third
reading There were 200 of them on the Clerks desk
Mr. Howe protested against this postponement and
carried tho Assembly with him.
Mr. Howe opened the debate He gave short sketch
OF the work done by the Gas Consumers Association and
the Senate Committee IN exposing the methods OF the
companies and detailed the chief features OF the bill
Concerning the criticism that the Board OF Lighting
Commissioners might deal unjusty with the gas COM
panIes respecting the Price OF Mr. Howe that
til" companies were authorized to appeal the Supreme
Court and then 10 the Court Of Appeals against any
decision OF the Board IN this matter. The maximum
price Of gas fixed by the bill only % cents less than
that now demanded by the eompanies The bill author
ICED them to charge 81 so thousand feet yet the in
vesugation OF the Senate Committee showed that In
deusey settled portions OF New-York the con,nanies
could mako q profit at 81
James Oliver attacked the bi.l while protesting TO be
friendly to IT, lie moved that terms of Office of tho
Gas Commissioners DO equal In length two years ana
two, tour aud six years respectively provided by
the bill lie argued that the OF the Commissioner,
should be Of tho length the Mayors and that
he should he held res poiisibe for their course Mr.
Oliver also found fault because the sanries Of the Com
niissOncrs were to bc Is hiSh ~ $4,000 The amend
nlont was rejected This, however did not oyerwhem
Mr. Olver. lie offered amendment providing that
Mayor Grace sI Bud appoint all tae commissioners.
no e the amendment VII! not be adopted" intetu-
ously began MI Reilly. Of New-forK.
WUuld you Oppose the gTaniIug OF this power to
Mayor Grace II ho WIS a IaEtaaLy maa y angrly
inquired Mr. Oliver.
That matter has no relations With this BILL replied
Mr.. Reilly, but will leil you whaf hs-. IL Is tbe
design OF the lobbyists to defeat tbs BAL BY amending
IL to death This ameniIncD - Lat class TEorc
uo politics Ia this BILL and Mayor Grace needs no
Mr. Taylor. OF Kings County, Mr.. Mccain. Of Brook
Ign. and Nh. Raines supported tue Oliver amendment
The latter said that he was 9p osed to giving The poAer
such an irresponsible body "a, tue Gas C0nsuners Asso,
Commission law because IL gave tue Anti Mvnopny
League power Ia appoint one of the Railroad COmmis-
glad that tho Railroad Commission had been
~. pointed Mr. Howe himself acknowledged that tho
prime Ile Of appointment was q mistIkou one.
Mr Howe said that Mr. Raines hal been guilty Of 9
breach OF courtesy la revealing Ioiu1n oi private
such statement ns that attributed to him by Mr. Raines
On tho contrary. tie principle OF appointment of the
bill inst with is approval tbs gar companies hsd
representative, the consumers another ad tue clty
n third II would DO dangerous to inIrlist TO ole man
the naming OF board having such vast power over TIC
enOrnlOus rapita OF the gas coIupanns
General Btruum said that has hoped Mr. divers
amendment would bc rejected, as 1t was palpaDy
utendrd tO weaken the bill
Mr Krise asked IL Gas Consumers Association had
been INCORPORATED. He was Informed by General
Baruum that IL hal. -
After other speeches Nr Howe mOy ed that the bill
be ordered 70 thr- reatTg The motion was adopted
by vote Of los 10 l. TIE single negative vote was
given 10y Mr.. Drei~s OF " sg1ra County.
Mr.. Howe asked that .he bill do now have us tbird
reading" - -
Give a CHARGE" screnised Mr. Earl; / object
Tie bill was Therefore laid aside.