New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-18
ORDERED TO INVESTIGATE.
THE ROBBINS COAL TRUST RESOLUTION
ADOPTED.
PREFERRED BY THE SENATE TO THOSE OF sENA-
TORS WRAY AND CANTOR-IT DlRECl' i
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONDUCT
THE INQUIRY AND REPORT
TO THE LEGISLATURE.

TO THE LEGISLATURE
Albany Feb 17-There was the usual large Mon
day evening audience in the Senate galleries ms
evening. Among the visitors were Nib H'
Morton, the Misses Morton and party Oh
under the escort OF Colonel Ashley Coe' TIE wv
ernors private secretary
The special order Of the evening was u'e .'''
sideration Of the coal-trust investigation
introduced by Senator Cantor. Senator "ray anu
Assemblyman Robbins. The Cantor reso'
would require the Attorney-General TO fepo.'
whether the alleged coal trust is In opfrA'o" -,
violation of the law The Wray resolution "o''N
authorize the appointment OF an nvesus'''o'. -,
mittee composed of seven Senator's Inc "
resolution Is similar to the Cantor resoIu"o'' anu
in addition, gives the Attorney General more p'"'
and proposes closer investigation
Senator Cantor said he did not care whic" '1
luton adopted. but OF them shouiu pe
'if this great evil Is to be abated" AS 10 inc NV"
bins concurrent resolution he said. IL was nc
fective in that Ii was not possible by coiou ''"'
resolution to enable the Attorney-Generdi ~ i'..
obedience to subpoenas Issued by him. AS u ..e
Wray resolution. appointing a committee "e 80.
ject had been thoroughly gone over by coHhi'''o
In 1892
my resolution" said Senator Cantor, VIII p'"oe
before an opinion as to whether the Anu-ifu''
law of 1893 will cover the case, and whether '"'
law Is being violated"
Senator Maby spoke In favor OF the f'ooo"'
resolution. saying that 1t would be well 10 N"o"
whether the Attorney General could proceed against
al illegal combination successfully under the la"
of 1893 and II not he could recommend needed
measures of relief
Senator Stranahan said: THE people are uieu Vi
these investigating committees which II Is pe''eu
appointed on the slightest pretext ana Vo'' ''e
State thousands of dollars
Senator Lexow favored the Robbins resolu''o" anu
1000, q
Client TO bring the alleged trust to the bar oil JUS
tee The law perhaps covered the question u S"p-
ply but not that OF transportation. The coi'Oi"a-
ton alleged is one of common carriers
Senator Grady offered an amendment 10 me NV
bins resolution, that the Attorney-Generni report
the legislation necessary.
Senator Cantor offered as a substitute Tor the no"
bins resolution his own resolution. made concurrent
The question was first taken on Senator cantor
srbstitute which was lost-l3 to &c The amendment
OF Senator Grady was also lost-ll TO % All o'her
amendments Of a minor nature and motions were
voted down and the Robbins resolution was adopted
unanimously. The resolution is as follows
whereas 1t has been publicly alleged and ~ a
matter OF public notoriety that certain corporations
iransaCting business in this state as common ar
rers have made or agreed upon a comhnst ION Ior
the purpose OF advancing the cost for tho tiasloi
tation OF coal AID thereby increasing the price
thereof to the consumer. and hit.
Whereas. such combination IS against Pu"','
policy and detrimental TO the Interests ~ me i'opI'
and - forbidden 10y tn" laws OF TINS state anu "
situtos a wilful abuse OF the powers and franchises
granted to said corporation. - .
Resolved az the Senate cOncur) Inat me Az
torn"y General be and Is hereby requested 20 OK,
anime and Investigate the aforesaid charges ana
ascertain whether such unlawful combination or
conspiracy exists is about to be formed, 10 sum
non and examine Witnesses require the W"HNctiph
Of books and papers and TO conduct SAID nt"4lEd-
ton IN any part Of the State which may ID" Wos
convenient FOR that purpose. and 10 institute" such
actions and proceedings against corporations or IN
divduale the facts developed on said investigation
may Justify: also TO transmit to the Legislature
copy Of the proceedings had and evidence taken
before him Aforesaid.
Resolver. further. Tina, ". in the opinion o. mo
Attorney General additional legislation + nee - ,ry
10 enGbl, him 10 properly coniuc; Glii nvestga.
ton and compel the atter lance % witnesses ana
the production AMI discovery OF books and papers
or 10 defray the expenses incident thereto then and
IN that he BE- requested TO forthwith report
that fact the Legislature. together with state
mcni Of the nature and character OF the legislation
required for any and all purposes Aforesaid.
Senator Ford introduced the Excise bill o, the
New-York Chamber OF Commerce and TIE Excise
Reform Association Senator Foley introduced a
bill providing that questions OF TILE to pubic IN .
In Ne~YOrk civ may be ilac"I upon thr caltnI rs
of the Appellate DIV sion ~ tho Supr,m" Court any
day when the Court Sis and have he ring on tn
same day.