New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-26
TIE WRONG WAY.

The East River Gas COmpany's bill which IS
En- charge ibis year, as Il was last, OF Assem-
byTuan Remsen, has been favorably reported
by the Committee on Electricity, Gas and Water
Supply, somewhat to the surprise OF observers
at Albany, who were not looking for Its appear
ance ,ust yet II Is therefore necessary TO
include that there is danger OF Its passing, es-
reci6ily as the attitude OF the municipal gov
crnInent has not been clearly defined Some OF
the dispatches have said that Mr.. Guy, Assist
ant Corporation Counsel, who IS representing
the city at Albany, was opposing the bin for
about the same reasons which his predecessor
effectively urged last winter; but apparently
Mr.. Guy has not seriously exerted himself. and
there Ore reports from the capital that he has
not yet received decisive orders from home.
We said last year. as we have said recently,
that the main purpose which the company m
nounces and which Il probably desires TO carry
out by means OF this bin Is advantageous 70
the city. II is exceedingly desirable that gas
making establishments should be excluded from
parts OF the city where they are a nuisance,
and the manufacturing operations conducted at
a distance with little offence as possible
The municipal administration took that view
of the matter year ago, and would gladly have
cO-operated with the company TO effect a suit
able arrangement II the proposition had come
before & IN a proper way. Mayor Low ex-
rlained bis position clearly and left no room
Cor q suspicion that be was unwlsely opposing
g merit0rious project lie showed that the city
authorities had fun power TO deal with the
subject end declared that ~ the company had
applied 10 the Board OF Aldermen FOR a fran
chise and asked the Board OF Estimate 10 put
fair valuation upon 4 there would have been
no trouble. But the company preferred to take
The chance OF getting an Objectionable bin
passed without observation.
That was q fault and, as Il turned out a
blunder. OF procedure. IntrinsicaIly the bin
was bad IN several respects. This year Mr.
Remsen assures the public that its offensive
features have been removable declared last
year that II was altogether excellent-and he
calls particular attention 20 the disappearance
OF the provision comforting electrical privileges
on the company. IL seems 20 be a fact that
the bin has been improved IN that important
detail. but we are not Informed that several
other conclusive objections have been over
come. Originally the bin contained a sneaking
little clause which 0stenslbly required a recon-
pense TO be paid to the city. but in fact let the
company OF scot free. That Is, Il provided that
Tor valuable grants IN the territory formerly,
comprised in Long Island City Il should nav
the same percentage OF its receipts IN that re
zion which Il pays IN Manhattan for fbe right
70 supply public and private buildings with gas;
nut, inasmuch as II merely supplies other com
panies here, the compensation WIS officially de.
clnred TO be entirely iilusory" The cornnanv
paid nothing 70 the city then, and consequently
would pay nothing thereafter. That was mar.