New-York tribune., 1903-04-21
KING APPEALS TO ODELL.
Asks Emergency Message for City
Lighting Bill.
ALSO FOR R. R. BOARD MEASURE.

William r King chairman of the committee
on franchises and transportation of the Mer-
chants Association accompanied by D. Z.
Mead, the assistant secretary Of the association.
and H. D. Dumont, of the office staff. called on
Governor Oden in Albany yesterday IN refer
ence to the Finch bill increasing the number
and powers of the State Railroad Commission
ers, and the bill to empower New-York City to
construct and maintain an electric light plant
for it's own use. Mr.. King said regarding the
visit:
called upon Governor Odell and had long in
terview with him for the purpose OF urging nm TO
send an emergency message requesting the iegls-
and powers Of the state Railroad Commission and
to pass the Municipal Lighting bill. to enable the
city Of New-YoTk to install and operate its own
electric lighting plant.
Is tRs HSSsd I S
by Gdt the gt bs
carefully, investigates the history Of the com com,
BY them against public policy and Tor purposes Of
5d tne 6onTSl SI hs p h
two great Gombnesmthe street Taway imonopSlss piles
unchecked in the process OF consolidation and
absorption of the rights of the public. They con-
Because they control them without due regula-
fSa 0y Both hase % imposed Upon the
people enormous body OF fictitious securities in
The charges arising from these watered securities
burden Of great magntnde upon the
taxes BY means Of this overcapitaization the
companies have exacted enormous volume or
profits from the people Nevertheless they with
hold from them the efficient service which is the
only justification for their franchises.
The interests Of the people must be served by
legislation If legislators unwilling 10 face
the issue and do their duty, they must be forced
purpose to permit this question to disappear from
the public sight and attention. In case the iegis-
Iature adjourns without action upon these bills,
the Merchants Association will agftate persist
entity throughout the entire State for special ses-
The issue is one which must be fairly and squarely
met by ma atority party, which Will be reSpons-
BILE if existing conditions are continued 1t is our
purpose that that party shall be forced TO meet
the issue and declare whether IL stands for the
combines or for the people.
''My interview with Governor Odell.' said Mr..
King was more than satisfactory. He thoroughly
appreciated the conditions of city to-day in
regard to railroad transportation both surface and
elevated and also the condition OF the gas and
electric light problem-that they both monopo-
ues or trusts in the extreme they absolutely
control these vast privileges of supplying both
light and transportation the people In my in
teryiew he sympathized with every word 1 said,
agreeing with me that my portrayal of the con-
dfttons was true, and that he would do everything
in his power to relieve the people. OF course he
said. 1t would be necessary to consult with the
members of the legislature in order 70 see what
could be done. | am not opposed TO con-
solldation, but opposed to that form of con-
solidation whereby the public at large becomes
nothing more than football to such corporations
as control public highways both under the sur
face and above the surface. We propose TO keep
this agitation going until get proper relief We
shall ask for extra session of the legislature
unless these bills are passed