New-York tribune., 1899-06-15
THE TAXPAYERS BETRAYED
HOBoKEN CoUNCILMEN STAND BY The
STANLEY SYNDICATE. d
VOTE TO PAY 800 YEAR FOR LIGHTS wHrcH
WE'RE OFFERED FREE FOR YEAR AND

AT $50 YEAR AFTER THAT.
At a meeting OF the Hoboken Common Councff
yesterday afternoon the North River Light, Heat
and Power Company. which wants to enter into
competition with the North Hudson Light, Heat
and Power Company, controlled by the Stanley syn
dicate renewed its proposition to light the streets
OF Hoboken free for the balance Of the fiscal year
and to charge not more than $50 light, under
tract thereafter, providing the Council would
grant the new company the right to erect poles and
string wires within the limits of Hoboken
The North Hudson Light Heat and Power Com
pany, which now enjoys the contract. Is charging
at the rate OF ssS 20 light BY the action OF the
Tax Board I'm falling 10 make an appropriation tho
wise would run for three years The Council Cham
Der thronged with taxpayers. VINO asserted mat
they considered the proposition of the new COM
When the new eompany's proposition was made
sent up to the clerk. 1t several yards long and
contained an earnest request that the new com
pany's offer be accepted. as IL would result In
Ssr The shsney syndicate's company, through its
TREASURER w. G.. Shaer. made an offer to the
Council to enter into contract witn ~ the ety for
term % Ss oe at cent nf rom e S s eon
price. This, IT was explained would save the city
more than $4,000 for the unexpired term OF the
President A. r. Bonita OF the North River COM
pany says that his offer of free light for year and
q contract OF $50 or less for light thereafter means
a saving to the city OF $1,000 in the next three
years.
DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR TAAPAfERS.
1t was evident from the start that the Demo-
cratic machine members OF the Council did not take
kindly to the offer Of the new company and would
hold out in favor Of the old concern and the con-
tinuance OF the monopoly. This became apparent
when Councilman George II. Steil made a motion,
which was seconded by Councilman Oscar From
mel that the taxpayers be allowed hearing on tho
proposition of the North River company.
Chairman James II. Londrigan said that the COM
haT baau rafar
to a committee.
steil and Frommel insisted that the citizens had
a right to be heard on matters OF PUBIC importanee
and the crowd In the lobby began TO get uneasy on
seeing that the chairman was going TO choke them
off without any ceremony
The chairman refused to put the notion and 10
the surprise OF all declared the COuncu Adjourned
for a recess Instantly bediam Dfoke zoos ana
syndicate's Councmen while a number gave vent
to their feelings by indulging In Kisses The cit'
zens rushed forward to the railing, and several men
taunted the City Fathers with being afraid to grant
When the Council reconvened the majority OF the
Board realized that bad break had been made In
nanve and the Committee on Lamps and Gas re-
ported in favor of allowing the hearing
HEARING ON THE PROPOSITION.
L. c. Fugazz Of the Hoboken Taxpayers Asso-
ciation. was the first speaker. He presented pet.
ton from the association urging the Council to ac-
cept the offer OF the new company. He said that
competition would be good thing for the city and
for private consumers. He said that the North
River company not only promised to furnish free
a light thereafter II public competition invited
in contract. but promised to let the city use its
poles providing the city made up its mind
some day TO an electric light plant OF It's own
Ex-State senator William 8 stuhr counsel Of the
Taxpayers Association, said that the new COM
pany's offer was purely business proposition; which
no ordinary individual would take long to consider
before accepting: He said that II the Cogncimen
were acting in the best interest OF the city tney.
would give the contract to the company furnishing
the best light at the cheapest price
Congressman william p. Daly said that when cor<
poratiOns fight the people get the Denent lie re~
marked that the monopoly was already coming GOWN
In its price. He said that the Councinen we're unos1
Of the people by giving the electric hght con,raoS
TO company furnishing light at the lowest price,
THEY MEEKLY OBEY THE SYNDICATE.
The Councimen then took another long recessk
and in the evening demonstrated that they did not
believe in allowing the taxpayers TO enjoy free elec
tric light for they accepted the offer OF the od
electric light company to reduce the price OF hsnt
under the present contract from sl3S 20 a light to
500. .. ,., ,h,
North Hudson company for FIVE years ineiudins tn9
Mr. Frommel, who was elected on the Sluzens''
ticket this spring, and Mr., Stetl. who Is an inde.
pendent Democrat. voted against the resolItio1
awarding the contract. Both made VgoIou3
speeches. saying that the Board was not acting
fairly toward the citizens at large: ,.,,o, ~ ,,a
affirmative thus shutting out the new companya
Peter II. Kessler the lone Republican menoer OF
the Board voted with the machine men,
The action OF the Council will be taken 70 th9
courts for review. ,.-
Rumors were afioat last night that some peculiar
influences have been at work upon the Councilnen,
who voted pay SEQ for lights instead OF accept.
Ing free lights for year, offered by the new cons
pany. and then being in a position where tne cilx
would be charged $50 or less a light Thereafter.