New-York tribune., 1903-04-10
INDORSES MONROE BILL.
Big Mass Meeting at Cooper Un'on
Takes fiction.

Cooper Union was crowded last night by the
mass meeting held under the auspices of the Order
of Acorns TO urge the passage by the legislator
of the Monroe bin. which provides that the city
shall be permitted erect own public lighting
plant A parade of the Acorns preceded the meet
ing. In the hall parts of the huge petition to be
sent 10 Albany were stretched on the walls.
Grand Oak Johnston. president of the order. in
presenting Borough President Cantor TO the meet
ing asserted that by November next one hundred
thousands citizens would be wearing the Acorn's
button.
President Cantor IN brief address. outlined
the growth in this city of The idea OF municipal
ownership Of public franchises.
During the present year he said. 'ft has been
shown through the efforts of the commissioner in
charge of street lighting that the city is robbed
by the monopoly supplying light TO the city
The names of the vice-presidents Of the meeting
then read.
Colonel Robert Grier Monroe Commissioner Of
the Department of Water Supply. Gas and Elec-
tricity. the father of the BILL said in part:
Prices fixed by open competition one thing
and prices fixed by a monopoly effected oy COM
bining many independent franchises into trust
are another and it is from the latters prices that
New-York is suffering to-day. This condition has
come about gradually and blame cannot ps tat
however, which must be met. and any adninistTa-
ton failing to meet it Is unworthy OF pqpulF OF ffe
and the only difference between this burden wnicn
and the citizens and public debt incurred os ee
mtsappropria ton of public money Is ina li0 PO0
I can say that. while Ner-York has given away
much, much remains to protect and conserve. ald
that a careful examination of the hgatng p, pILEl.
leges extended will show that none are exclusive
and none are perpetual. The city can yet secure
competition. and vigilant officials will see that tne
city gets back rights they expire; But now
great provocatiOn. let us enQeaVOr 10 dp-
ply the most moderate remedy available
The bill is still in committee, and we are IN
formed by the press that the lighting interests IN
tend TO smother it. Their great wealth gives them
great power but in this instance that power VIII
not prove strong enough to thwart the will or the
people Of this city.
Resolutions passed approving the course
taken by Commissioner Monroe and pledging him
hearty support in his fight against lighting cor
porations and indorsing and approving the means
for municipal lighting plant The Legislative
and Cities committees of the Senate and Assembly
and the Governor were requested to aid the meas
further resolution calling upon the Mayor TO
urge the Governor to use the power and influence
Of his Office in favor OF the pending bill was also
adopted.
w c. Kreusch Of the executive committee OF
the Acorns read g message from the Merchants
Association indorsing municipal lighting plant
Ex-senator John Ford said In part:
After my experience in Albany it Is great salts
faction to be here. The atmosphere at Albany is
sIIrcharsed with grab It is just such meetings as
this one that have frightened the men behind the
grabs.
The last speaker was John De Witt Warner. VINO
said that until recently he had entertained small
hope that the legislature so largely elected TO do
the bidding Of the opponents Of the BILL instead OF
its proposers" would act favorable on the PROPOSE
tion but the popular sentiment aroused of late had
encouraged him to hope for favorable legislation