New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-26
NEW GRAB BILL APPEARS.
.S5coeping Po5cers for Electrical
Com Danics-Situati0u DcpI0rod.
Try -ruEcn,rH TO THE TTrRrNr-l

.,-,..,,. 1ror-r 25 -T-ndeterred bv the ouburst o.
r,blic protest at the manner In which the Assem-
Nv has been dealing with pending leglslatloh =
cor,uttee o. that body TODAY reported laN'i9'' ,
a, measure which is pronounced by mans 10 "e
one OF tho worst grabs OF the SESSION i..'
I'm mentioned in to-day's Tribune ntfoon'e3 ny
Assemblynan Merritt c0nfers ON electTlcal manu-
featuring conpanes or those using electricity mus
beuefcerflv including street surface uoileS I"els
the right 20 take land IN any part q me S'a'e %
condemnation proceedings. y uTa1le 10 ''"le 1
an agreement with the owners OF tne anus -
C@A-e il amends tho existing law, "hlcl Games
he necessity Of obtaining the consent OF i''aI
authorities by giving powers 10 eieStr'oai com
parics. as follows:
II incorporated Tor the purpose Of manui2ctlTlHE
ana using electricity for producing light heat or
ll~srer and actually engaged On producing or sup
plying electricity which IS used 10Y hslslne i IN
V.Hfsce or town in This State. or N produclng OF
ne srV trolley or other public railroad N this
state TO acquire real estate or any interest ineFeLi
either by agreement with the owners pr. il u Re
TO agree. ny conoe lnlAlo4 ~, - Reformation
lsE OF this state snd 70 hold. improve r'' anu
enspy the property 50 acquired.
nc committee before reporting this hill added
sEaittle amendment providing that the companies
.kn,,l6 not have the right 10 condemn any land
ch II the State took ii. could add 10 the Aaron
AZ Reserve But this is only minor anleilo-
uient and leaves the hill with its fn- VICIOUS
-o-acte- undieturhed Il is a typical pro-coTpora-
,IRr Rim drawn solely in the interests q certain
corporations comforting almost unlimited powers
"a dispensing with these generous gifts without
~ slightest recompeuse to the state
&c fact S. that even the more experience
Ierslators are achast AZ the fashion in which the
usssent legislature is conducting itself, partlcn-
lsrlv in the Assembly. Important measures are
ssrnrned through on fake rolcalls. hills lnVolV-
ffE millions or surrendering inestimable public
rkghts are passed with only pretence OF debate
Half the time the members ere unaware % What
bi Is being voted on rapid is the progress down
ne calendar. Moreover. there be little doubt
Tat the rumors OF grating are widespread.
TIhe passage Of the Remsen East River gas grab
was followed by a multiplicity Of dire reports. The
decent Members Of the Assembly have literally
hhld aD their hands al the way things going.
One OF tho best known and most respected mem
brrs OF that body said 20 The Tribune representa-
tive yesterday;
A7alle fashion IN which corporation interests are
being attended &c mere IS ECandalous. No matter
how much the public desires piece Of legisa-
ton and no matter how much n IS needed. the
whisper that corporation opposes 81 b. suficieut
20 XIII H. Cheirrsen Of several important commit
tees are notoriousy IN tie pay OF corporations
una IN the scandal smells 10 heaven. II
q p shameful situation.
II is with this atmosphere existing at the Cant
tol that the C-avsth Wilcox Bedel Wis emerge
rom one committee lnamended save al the 6i-ec-
ton 81 their author. and it De truthfuilv aid
thaS there exists little II any dolhf that f1e mn
q eiia 'ted into law. despite The storm Of protest
my have created throughout State