New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-31
FIGHTING DIR. MONROE.
Concerns Scrre Mandamus
to Make Hin, Sign Contracts.
FREE" LIGHTS FOR A YEAR

FREE" LIGHTS FOR A YEAR.
Because Commissioner Monroe of the Depa-t
ment Of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity re-
tected all bids for the city lighting il the last
year only December after the companies had
furnished the city's light for a year they served
him yesterday with mandamus to compel hin. to
sign the contracts Their petitions declare that.
although their contracts were held up. they had
received and filed many orders from Commissioner
Monroe as TO the lighting and that since the
making Of the bids the city had held their deposits
S2hout interest TO them. The action. the petitions
declare. taken TO protect the property Of the
stockholders. whose trustees the petitioners
This nandamus will be returneble in the Su-
preme Court January L. Commissioner Monroe
said yesterday that aside from that, ne didn't
ascertain great deal about it. but turned the case
over 10 Corporation Counsel Rives. Mr.. Rives had
NOT received the papers yesterday afternoon, but
he is familiar with the ground covered b. the &C
ton.
It all goes back to the turning down OF the bids
Of the various lighting companies-ir name differ
ent concerns; really. only one said Mr.. RiVes. Be
OF this monopoly and the excessive prices 1t
permitted the company TO charge. Commissioner
Monroe refused 10 consider the bids Then fol-
lowed his plan for e municipal Lighting concern,
with the bitter fight against 1t in Albany, result
ing in its defeat Meantime. the city had been
using the gas and electricity. There had been no
6 70 PAY Tot ba ored 70 sT
the city considered = fair price, TO De ac-
further rights then let the city stand sut tor te
rest Of the bills jury decide what really
fair price. To this the lighting companies
would never consent
Mr.. Rives said he had always held that the money
must be paid for the lighting; the only. question
was how much When Commissioner Monroe re-
fused consider the bids committee was ap-
pointed 10 consider them and after long InVeStga-
ton Of the prices and similar prices IN other large
cities recently recommended that the contracts be
not signed. This long delay Mr.. Rives thought
would be the point which the lighting companies
their competitive bids is ludicrous, said Re. As
told them, il ike person writing out one bid
with his right hand and another with his lei
The companies which obtained the manuanuS
were the Standard, the Northern Union the Central
Union, the New-Amsterdam. the Brooklyn Union
Edison Electric Light Company, the United Eec-
tric Light and Power Company and the Brush
Illuminating Company.
''Among the remarkable incidents which future
students Of municipal history viii observe viii be
that the great city OF New York was lighted dur
said one OF the cou- EEL The student Of mUnic-
ipal economy may ascertain ON this was &c
complisked BIZ reading the vosumluouS petition o.
Mr.. Sherru an. Mr.. Sterling, Mr. Beardsley and NJ.
Henmens WHO represent the various interests now
seeking TO escape the loss or million dollars.
ultimately have to pay this biii-probably during
the ensuing year-the further remarkable fact Will
be noted BY a student OF local conditions thar from
zero the cost OF lighting the city suddenly rises
10 twice the normal figure on the withdrawal from
Office OF q great economist Aside from the legal
its political significance not be lost sight OF,
since Mr. Monroes successor. If he has TWO years
hills &c paw during the first year OF his term. viii
appear at Disadvantage