New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-15
NE Gas INFEsTIGATI0N.
STATEMENTS MADE BEFORE THE SENATE COMMIT
TEE-iANING OFT me WORK

STATEMENTS MADE BEFORE THE SENATE COMMIT
TIE-iAYING OFT NE WORK.
Senators Thomas. Gibbs and DAILY, the mem
bers % the legislative conat,ee Investigate the gis
question met the Morton House yesterday TO hear pre-
lininAry the subject from citzcns aud
Other. John II Sherwood Rufus :. Andrews. /. H.
Ir5cT. Jackson r schuliZ and othcr members of the
Gas Consumer Association were present. Corpora
ton Counsel Iacomte appeared FOR the city. In
behalf OF the Consumers Association, which made tho
demand or the invest CATION. statement was read by
it, secretary The association wshe, 10 ascertain what
f. tust md right bet the p7ncs and tho citi
leus aud % Impose such restrictions should be i'm
posed on corporations enjoying pubic franchises secure
from competition
It.nrv II Anderson counsel or the Consolidated Gas
Company said that corporation desired TO ascertain What
the citizens complain Of fany fraud hat oo'n PrAc
ti-.d h nd Tho gas companies anxious any
body 20 ND It out The Consolidated Company
con,prieed the New-lork. Manhattan, Municipal.
Kpickrrbocker and Metropolitan companies. The gas
r,,nauies had nothing do with tire manufacture %.
,is- They used those sealed by the state Inspector
Any private consumer had rgh % call Ia Tue inspector
and have his meter tested. n found ont OF order the
company had pay for the Inspection. but al ught
tlet, the consumer paid
Mir Andrews sad that he had been Informed that there
va. such an onncal state Inspector who was paid
.aary the state treasury but a. nay never orc
abb. To him. HcuaOr HbDs sau mat the th'pe'utH
name wS irAart, ahd Ac was formerly member o1 the
10 iz said that the state undertook provide
for the supply OF gas TO cities. and Ind practically
n.lt. we're needed the people had suffered enough
room having the streets torn w. but some practch
snn.ryi,lon was needed The People ought not 10 De
made TO uay dividends Watcred stock Ihty pay Too
much for gas lie did net think that II was true IN all
ca-e- thai gas bills HIGHER since the reduction III
lie nrce OF gan but II true In many Instances HIS
own bills were about the same whether his house was
closed open $500. . , =, -, =, ,-
Mr. shera said that he had tried all kinds OF reSu
intor. "A nd rttll his bills steadily Increased.
~, said that the city the largest con
sinner of gas and lie proposed to put III documentary ey
nrnco showing prices paid In periods of competition ami
tiinn the valuable privileges that the com
onc. emo, ell the city, their Immense profits aud
he CERTAINTY OF their income The new law Ia regard To
th. nse of the by new company not only pre-
e. rom ttiOn, but II serves "a extend franchises
ah,ut 10 expire and which the city might have i'm
posed restrictions . ,, - -,. -
nneled 10 publish under oath semi annual statements
y, ,,,.r busluess aud allowed only ten per cent
cane o their actual nyestmeat Any excess OF Income
. vided N thirds the and ons third To
the Government He thought sumo sum ies"i"'ionS
would DO found necessary mere al, - -. ,..,,
Iuer further talk agreed that expert should
e apnointed to examine the books OF the companies
r'nony will he taken the entire subject relating TO
cast of Manufacture amount OF money actually invested
rires char ged IN other cities and comparative prices
s nv consumers this city for corresponding months
fore and the reduction In price last November
sron - 30 60 ~ - per 900 cubic feet Tho committee
I meet on Friday next and take testimony 10 be pre-
,,nicd by the Gas Consumers Association.