New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-24

made arguments IN support OF the iIedsuIV anu
Thomas ]. Creamer. Assistant Corporation
Counsel. in behalf OF the authorities Of New
York City, and Assenblyman Gale, in behalf Of
residents Of Queens County, appeared IN opposi-
ton to IT,
MR. ROOTS EXPLANATION.
Mr Root was the first speaker. He said;
Gentlemen. The sole purpose Of this bill is to
enable the Astoria Light Heat and Power Com
pany OF Queens County, TO manufacture gas IN
one part Of the city Of New-York and 70 deliver
II in another part Of the same city. Ihe com
pany is controlled by persons VINO have large
interests in the Consolidated Gas company
which owns the greater part Of the STOCK or tnls
Astoria company The sole authority conferred
by this bill Is to let the Astoria company lay lts
pipes from the gas plant It proposes TO erect IN
Queens County beneath the waters Of the East
River to Manhattan Island, where IT'S mains
will connect with those OF the companies II pro
poses TO supply with gas. There Is no other
franchise conferred than for this purpose
may state that our bill is modelled on that
which was passed IN the interest or the East
River Gas Company, with the exception that we
do not have any right TO lay gas pipes III New
York unless we first secure permission from the
city authprites whereas the East Klver Gas
Company did have that right awarded 10 II
Our object simply is 10 connect our gas works
in Astoria with gas mains already laid IN the
streets OF Ncw-Gork
We plan TO do away with ten -manufact-
uring plants in New-YOrk NO great city now
permits the manufacture Of gas within its lin
its London long ago made all Of them go far
outside. Paris has done the same. so nave
Vienna and other places. The people about the
gas plants are continually bringing suits and
making complaints on account OF the nuisance.
The only reason why the company has 10 come
here and ask this privilege from the Legislature
is that there Is a narrow strip OF water when
must be crossed between the point where the
works are and the city.
Mr.. Root explained that the city con-
stantly encroaching on the property occupied by
the gas plants. and gradually driving them TO
find other quarters. II was putting streets
through their premises, until II had become an
absolute necessity that they should make some
change He then submitted maps showing That
the city is taking property between sixteenth
and Eighteenth-sts. along the North River
where the Consolidated Gas Company has nine
gas tanks one large one Just having been com
pleted at a cost Of 100000. Proceedings he
said were IN progress 10 take for street and
dock improvements about half Of the property
This would take two tanks out entirely, cut TWO
others In half cut of a slice Of land. and the
big tank lust completed with II. The other half
of the property could not he used for making
gas any longer. Mr.. Root continued:
Where. then. shall the companies go? They
cannot 60 into a residence section OF the Guy
and ruin property there. There Is nowhere tHey
can 20, except across the river. II Is not ohly
desirable for the city to get ria OF ther ous
ness but an absolute necessity Tor the COM
Danies 10 go The principal competitor ot the
Consolidated company is the New-AmsteIdam
company which IS now doing this same INN,
and what the Consolidated asks oI you - ID"
play.
THE PRICE OF GAS.
Mr.. Finn asked if the new company did not
expect 20 charge the prevailing rate OF - ~
1900 feet.
That's what we hope 10 DO" replied Mr..
Root
Mr.. Finn called his attention TO section or
the bill. which provided that the new company
might change the rates for gas. "now prevail
ing in the city,
THAT would enable your company 10 charge
more than the other companies wouldn't 1t
asked Mr. Finn They must reduce the rate -
complv with the schedule nXed by the Leslsla
ture, but you could charge - 10 rlsht aIons;
Mr. Root said thai was not what was ihlehoeu. CO.
''Thou would you De willing 70 amend the plii
bv striking out that word now IN Section =
asked Mr. Finn .-
Certainly" said Mr.. Root ana 'ne '"'"t'
made.
PAY FOR FRANCHISE DEMANDED
Assistant Corporation Counsel Creamer said
the situation had changed so much since he hrst
contemplated il that he was almost inclined To
ask for another hearing. He had looked Tor arVal
ao.rr a nv "A
cern IN d new form lie wanted u give 'Iie VIC
chairman of the committee, MI MdZet, credit
for having presented the bili "lthout kho"tne
what il would lead TO. Then he Appeared on De-
Mo of the people Of Queens County. VINO, ne
s,id had been told al OF sudden OF the propo-
sftion which was on foot 10 concentrate al OF
tba odors Of the metropolis In one al the most
beautiful spots in their borough ana pie up
r. n,,Ieorre on their waterfront he urged
that summary or hasty action should not be
taken !, ,l5 "sor
,his coron,ittee TO countenance the interruption
~ ths new city charters provisions as REGARDS
valuable franchises. The corporations III o'neI
cities nave 20 pay FOR their tIaHCHlses' anu az
made 10 bear a fair share OF the taxation hSIe
II IS proposed to give inVaiuapie pfNieseS io'
nothing ~ - ,,oa q 5iror-
ont state Of things exists The corporations nave
~ nav half Of the annual expenses OF the clty:
which amount TO $70,UOO,OOO 1t Is the pollc! vi
the people OF this State ana those eo'eIIiIS
these cities to sell franchises 70 the hlshest % pu
der and the charter provisions nave hllhsraV ,ha,
been accepted in good faith. Now 1t seems that
the great untaxed companies are 10 rule
QUEENS COUNTY's PROTEST:
Assemblvman cyrus b. Gale. OF Queens spoke
,,.,t He .aid the ills which the Legislature
had heaped on Queens County were the cause
of mis- being sent To Albany second tiIhe' me
neople Of his district had ought homes theIe ana
40 interested ~ its development 1hey hau
Taen nrsviug for a bridge over the East HlVer
10 add 10 the value Of their property, ana eN-
ra.ted sorr,, day 90 get IT, Now all their pros
rrects were 20 De dashed 10 the ground by me
sudden intervention OF the gas company 70 seize
tbeir wafer front. They already had barren
leland on one side, with its stencil. when SIX
rne6 The people in their summer homes Dy ths
sea Now It proposed TO concentrate an an
the bad odOrs Of the metropolis on the o'hei 9Ie %
d roak. Queens "A sandwich Of stinks ne
wanted il understood that they were not an hSn
hsrrel or a dumping ground or the meTopohs
Mr. Finn moved hat a further CONSIDERATION non
or the bliI be postponed until Tuesday ana TINS
lcar