New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-01
MAYBE THEY WILL TAKE 1T BACH.
ALDERMEN ANGRY ABOUT THEIR FREE GIT OF
THAT POWER COMPANY FRANCHISE.

ALDERMEN ANGRY ABOUT THEIR FREE GIT OF
THAT POWER COMPANY FRANCHISE.
There was q good deal OF comment yesterday about
the franchise which the Board OF Aldermen granted on
Tuesday 10 the NewJersey corporation called the New
York Power Company, giving 1t general license 10
tear up the streets and public places OF the oty, 10
put down mains and supply compressed air and SALT
water possible consumers SO far as can be learheo
not an Alderman who voted for the franchise knew
the persons interested In the project. Alderman
Brown who offered the resolution, visited Mayor
Grant mt his office yesterday and asked him 70 With
hold his approval Of It. Mr. Brown intimated that he
would next Tuesday recall the ordinance from
the Mayors hands.
The origin OF The affair dates back TO March 1G. 1850
when the United States Heating and Power Company
got franchise from the Board TO lay pipes in the
streets and convey hot water through the city. The
company never laid a pipe. The franchise was
amended last spring by inserting the words "com-
pressed air. after hot water" The corporation then
called itself the National Heating Company the sue
ccssor Of the United States Heating and Power Com
pany. On July L. last Alderman Flynn got through
a resolution substituting the name New-iork Power
Company OF New Jersey for the National Heating and
Power Company. 1t received the Mayors approval
July 26, but subsequently discovered that tho
franchise coniiictcd with the exclusive privilege given
the New York Steam Company, under an amendment
t. the Consolidation act which General Spnoh obtained
from the Legislature in 1854 SO another amendment
made.
The only name signed to the application was " LOWS
ii. Miller. secretary" The does not APPEAR
in the directory. Alderman Brown has not the
pleasure OF Mr.. Millers acquaintance, he says. The
Alderman referred all inquirers for Information 20
President J. Sergeant Cram, Of the Dock Board say
Ing that he was counsel for the company.
Commissioner Cram denied Yesterday that he held
any such relations with the company. He said that
he did not know Lewis II. Miller
some months ago. Mr.. Cram said Parish &
PendetOn, OF No. Al Broadway, asked nv opinion
about the old franchise. and wanted 10 know II 1t
was yet In force. | informed that the old com
pany had done nothing and was I'm the hands OF "a
receiver. | advised that the franchise had lapsed.
That was my sole connection with the case
Nothing could be learned ut the 0fhce OF Parish q
PendetOn about secretary Lewis III. Miller +. X.
PeIdeton refused 10 talk about the franchise.
Alderman Flynn. chairman Of the Committee on
Streets said that he had reported avorably on the
franchise because Alderman Brown asked him TO do
50. It's favor ! would do any Alderman who
asked me-" he added.
Alexander Brown said al. Sergeant Cram asked
me TO offer the resolution. He Is their attorney.
lie said II all right, and asked me to offer tt
When told that Mr.. Cram disclaimcd being the com
pany's attorney Mr.. Brown expressed surprise. He
added with show of Indignation: as that II
fact? Mr.. Cram not the attorney and knows moth
Ing about II, ehl lie refused TO any respon-
siby! All light We will recall the papers next
Tuesday,