New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-21
PLATT CALLED AN MIGRATE
MCARREN SAYS HE HAS TREATED
CROKER BADLY.
AN INTERESTING DEBATE AT ALBANY
ABOUT THE PRICE OF GAS AND THE
ETIQUETTE OF BOsSIsM


Albany. April Ex-senator Donnely to-day moved
to discharge the Committee Cities from further
consideration of his bill to establish municipal
gas plant In the city OF NewYork. He explained
the provisions OF the measure and said the ques-
ton involved was not legal one. but one merely
OF expediency He declared that existing laws con-
corning the manufacture OF gas were inadequate.
There was practically a monopoly In the manu-
facture OF gas and the people should be allowed to
compete with this monopoly. In regard to the cry
OF confscaton of property. he said that there was
under the Constitution such thing as an ex-
elusive franchise. There was no reason why gas
companies should enjoy exclusive franchises. There
was nothing radical or communistic In this propo-
sition. Many cities in Europe owned their own
gas plants. and also many cities In this country.
Two notable instances were Wheeling, w Va. and
Richmond. Va. where the gas plants had been en-
trely paid for out OF the profits. What the people
Of Newly wanted was cheaper gas. and this bill.
providing that the price should not be greater
than 70 cents thousand cubic feet, seemed the
only way in which II could be had.
Senator Stranahan recognized by the Chair
to speak in opposition to the measure. when he
interrupted by a motion OF Senator Rsines for
recess until O'Clock.
When the Senate reconvened. after the recess
Senator Stranahan resumed his argument He was
not prepared to state that the proposition might not
at some time become feasible: at the present time
n
the city had stated that the city had already ex-
ceeded It's debt limit and was for that reason un-
able to carry out the mandate Of the people for a
system OF rapid transit. There had been no show
Of public sentiment for this bill. and the purpose
purely political The lowest figure at which
this plant could be established from $5.OcoooO
to s30O0O0C0 Before the city embarked on this en-
terprise 1t should proceed with rapid transit
Senator Grady said that In all other parts OF the
State the people supposed to know what they
wanted but In New-York II was sufficient for the
officials to express a desire for any particular OBJ
ject to have 1t denied them by the Legislature
Senator Elsberg said he believer in mu-
ncipa ownership Of such Industries. but in view
of the fact that the political chieftain Of the or
ganlzaton now in control OF affairs In New-York
has openly stated that he running the city for
the benefit OF his own pocket. he was not prepared
to turn over the mana cement of so great property
Senator MsCaTre1 protested that there had d been
fairs Of New-York for the benefit of his own
pocket. There was not decent man In the city or
in session. The people had never been treated TO
manifest in this investiga Everybody knew
the relations which existed between political lend
ers. 1t was pretty generally understood that Mr.
Croker had treated the Republican leader In fair,
honest and manly way; He knew Of no instance ,e
into such dirty work as engaged this committee.
He did not know who was responsible for this, but
If they had a spark OF manhood they should feel
contempt for themselves.
Senator Grady also denounced Senator Elsbergs
reference to Mr. Croker This committee he said,
introduction into the business world of Mr. Cro-
kers They might with much greater profit
have inquired into the introduction into business
Of Mr. Platts They would have found that
Immediately after the passage Of bill permitting
foreign corporation TO do business In this state
Mr.. Platts son found to be worth $4,000
year to that company. No Democrat had ever
pointed the finger of at Mr. Platt because one
of his sons at the head Of trust company.
and another was In law firm going from one de-
partment OF the State Government to another
acting attorney.
Senator Donney's motion to discharge the com
mittee from further consideration OF the Dill was
lost by strict party vote OF 20 to a.