New-York tribune., 1900-05-10
EFFECT ON GAS COMPANIES.
WHAT SOME OF THE OFFICERS SAY RE-
GARDING POSSIBLE APPLICATION OF
THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.

Officials of this city were interested yesterday IN
the reported opinion of Acknowledgement Dawes
that gas companies and electric light companies
having contracts with the State municipality 10
furnish lights come within the provisions OF the
labor law prohibiting them from working their
employees more than eight hours A day The gas
companies and electric light companies in this city
have contracts light the streets and public build
ings. receiving large sums annually from the city
for such service. If the opinion of the Attorney
General Is to prevail several Of the city officials
said yesterday. the companies can he compelled TO
comply with the eight hour regulations or lose the
money they get from the city.
Controller Coler when the opinion Of the Attor-
ney-General wa brought to his attention said to
a Tribune reporter:
II companies having Contracts with the city work @
proof is given to will hold up the bills OF the
companies No complaint has yet been made to me
Obliged to work than eight hours day.
Corporation Counsel whalen said he did not care
to talk of subject which his opinion might De
asked officially. The question To the application
OF the labor law to gas companies supplying lights
to the city. he said might before the courts.
The principal gas companies Of the city seem to
be taking philosophically the reported opinion of
the AttorneyC;eneral. Mr.. Doane. treasurer of the
CONSOLIDATE ted Gas Company, said 1t would not be
possible to say without some dellberaton just what
effect such measure would have his company.
That was matter for the directors to attend to.
There is not single person connected with the
work as few hours eight. The Offices open
from a. m to p m, and even then there is COM
plant from the poor people that they cannot have
a chance to attend gas business because the
hours at headquarters are not long enough. Down
town the office hours from 10 a. m. to p M.
but the men get to work before the former time
In answer to other questions he replied
Perhaps 1T might be cheaper to cease TO be a city
contractor. Lighting for the city is but a very
small part Of our business. that of any other
ing public buildings and streets. But / cannot tell
what will be done about the matter.
At the New Amsterdam Gas Company's office the
following statement made:
the offices open from A. m. to ; D. m Still
outside of ire need for men, the ruling would
not have great effect. because at present
dictated to in the matter of wages and hours We
are permitted if we to hire outside of the
union but if we work overtime re-
ported. and next time wish open the streets
the city authorities refuse permit The
pany Will ably wait for developments before
doing anything. Our company will be affected Just
like all the others. however, for all do about
the same sort of business.
The superintendent of the Standard Gas Light
Company said:
We have just much work do and If we must
DO II in less time than at present shall have 10
employ more men. And IL can't raise the price
free; So the consumers would feel the law as we'll
the COmpanieS