Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-01
Bon
Ami !
CLEANS AND PoLlsHEs
CONTAINS NO GRIT TO SCRATCH.
All Grocers.

=
I the manufacture and sale of gas in
Boston, from about $4,000, 900 to about
$50, 900, 900; and whereas it has been pub
! hcly alleged that the profits Of the com
| panieS engaged in such business are
sufficient to pay interest on all indebt-
edness of said companies, 10 per cent
dividends on the capital stock thereof
and further large dividend on said
| proposed increase; and whereas securi-
ties have been offered to the pubhc by
| banking houses, based upon such public
allegations of profits and which securi-
ties, it is alleged by the promoters there
of, have been and can be issued without
| the approval of the board of gas and
electric light commissioners; and where
as it is alleged that the management
and control of seven Boston companies
have already been secured for the pur-
pose of so initiating the capital engaged
in such gas business; and whereas it is
also alleged that the outstanding securi-
| ties and obligations of said gas COM
panies and of those controlling the same,
is greater than is known to the board
of gas and electric light commissioners,
and that there are ways of paying divi-
dends and profits thereon not known to
the said board Of gas and electric light
commissioner
| Now, therefore, be it ordered that a
! special committee Of this legislature,
consisting of seven members of the
house, to be appointed by the speaker.
together with such as the senate NAV
join, to investigate the foregoing al
legations and charges, with full au-
thor1ty and power to compel the attend
ance OF witnesses and the production of
books and papers, to employ stenog-
rapher and to report as soon as may
De, whether the allegations hereinbefore
mentioned or any of them are true, to
further report the present cost of the
manufacture of gas in Boston, the cost
OF the distribution thereof the amount
OF profit made thereon, the amount of
the capital, securities and obligations.
Whether legal or Illegal, now outstand-
Ing or offered for sale, based upon the
gas business of Boston, and the amount
OF the profits, dividends and interest
thereon paid, and what legislation is
needed, If any to enable the board of
gas and electric light commissioners to
Il& the price at which gas shall be sold
TO the consumer and by one comnany
to another and to limit the profits which
shaGl be made and the interest, profits
or dividends which may be paid upon
any and all securities or obligations
pased upon the gas business In Boston.
and what legislation is needed. If any.
10 prevent, restrict and limit the securi-
tles or obligations which may be issued
OF sold based upon such gas business
ana such other legislation, if any. as
tney may deem advisable In the
! premises
senator Towle of Boston filed with the
clerk or the senate the petition of G r.
hlng and w. F. Pease for the annoint
ment OF a committee to inyestieate the
present status, ownership and manage
Inent OF the gas companies of the citv
OIL Boston, designated as Bay State. as
Well as the Brookline Gas and Electric
company; also any association, trus-
tees or persons connected directly or in
ulrectly with the manufacture or sale
( or gas; under what circumstances and
by what methods and for what money
or other consideration said combination
OF management of all said companies
was brought about, whether any inter
ests or rights in any or all companies
and what interests We're injured or dis
( regarded in making such combinations.
! Wnether the laws or the public policy
! OF the commonwealth were infringed
and II SO, what legislation, il any, is
needed to remedy the same; whether
competition in business was desira Bile
and if so how 1t is to be obtained; and
whether any abuses exist in the carry-
ing on of said business, what they are
and how they may be prevented. and
whether any legislation is needed and
what to prevent said gas business being
conducted as it is at present. The pro-
vision is made in the petition for the an
polntment of committee and for the
power to send for persons, books and
papers.
Mr.. Miller of Boston introduced a bill
to incorporate the Commonwealth Pipe
Line Company. The incorporators named
are: Samuel Pearson, William Wilson
Mercer, w. r. Mercer, D. J. Kelley,
George Kelley, J. w. Hutchinson, w. L.
Roberts, E. c. Clapp, H. c. Young and
W. j. Meagher. The bill gives the incor-
porators practically the same rights and
privileges accorded the Massachusetts
Pipe Line Company two years ago, but
the new company proposes to furnish
gas for so cents a thousand feet instead
of go.
| Mr.. Horgan of Boston introduced a
bill to revoke the charter of the Massa-
chusetts Pipe Line Company, said cor
poration to be subjected to the provis-
ions of sections Al to 45 inclusive Of chap
ter 105 of the public statutes.
| Senator Quirk has filed with the clerk
of the senate resolve which provides
| that whenever there is any strike or
lockout caused by reason of reduction
Of wages Of the employees of corpora
ton and such strike or lockout is not
averted by amicable arrangement, then
the state board of arbitration shall have
the power to employ expert accountants
who shall be empowered to examine the
books and accounts of such corporation,
and after such examination, II the find
ing Of the board be that the corporation
is able to pay per cent dividends on its
capital stock, then there shall be no re-
duction of the wages Of the employees
of the corporation. If the corporation is
domestic corporation and does not COM
ply with the regulations of this law, the
penalty is forfeiture Of charter. In case
Of a foreign corporation refusing to
obey the law, the penalty is that it shall
cease to do business in the common
wealth. The resolve authorizes the
| board of arbitration to sit as court
| and receive evidence under oath.
Four petitions with bills were sent in
byt James H. Mellen of Worcester. They
were presented by Representative Nc
Laughlin of Worcester. The petitions
are more formidable than the bills
themselves. The petitions ask for legis>
lation compelling alien street railway
corporations to make returns to the
board of railroad commissioners, enab-
ling the city of Worcester to establish a
municipal electric lighting plant; for
legislation relative to the election OF
parks commissioners, and for lesisla-
ton to prevent persons from holding
commissioned office in the volunteer
militia, who may be exempt from army
or navy service by reason of public
office he may occupy,
Senator George of Haverhill has filed
bill with the clerk for state high
way through the Merrimack val
ley from Lowell to the sea, not less
than three miles are to be built in any
one year, mile in each of three local
tiles, those being Lowell Haverhill and
Amesbury. He has also introduced q
bill to prohibit insurance combinations
from coercing insurance agents and
brokers; this measure is aimed at the
Boston hoard of fire underwriters