New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-03
TO PAY GAS TRUST PRICE
SURRENDER By THE CITY.
Colonel Monroe, Who Fought Bill,
Noe Calls Offer Reasonable.

The Mcclellan Board OF Estimate and Ap-
rortonment ana the Department Of Water sup
ply, Gas and Electricity particularly thS gas
part OF it) have dropped plum into the capacl-
Gus nav of the Gas Trust. There does not appear
to be any uncomfortable struggle over the drop
either. Controller Grout is resting in the nav
with the other members Of the board and Com
missioner John T. Oakley.
The Gas Trust is to get its price for itS gas
The old bill. the holding up Of which caused
comment eighteen months ago, when Controller
Grout and Commissioner Robert Grier Monroe
denounced It as extorton, is to be paid at Its
face value and it is going to be happy family
again. with the framed legend Reform turned
to the wall.
Meanwhile, the Gas Trust is indulging in
chuckIe which, II it were metred and sold to
the city at so much a foot. would yield quar-
terly dividends Of so per cent
one of the unexpected developments Of the
situation is that Colonel Monroe, who year
ago was eager for the city to resist the alleged
extortions Of the Gas Trust, now says that the
company's present offer is the whole rea-
sonable, and that he would be in favor II ne
were Commissioner, OF accepting it,
Controller Grout struggled against quick de-
scent into the nav OF the trust until Coiohei
Monroe said 1T was a safe plunge TO take. Now,
apparently, ne regards the NOiiips1AiJ F--N~'
S24 rs for Welsbachs as fair. for he intimated
yesterday that Colonel Monroe's Endorsement
of Commissioner OaI1ley's attitude in accepting
the company's bid had greatly impressed him.
Doubtless the subject win be thrashed out at
the meeting OF the Board Of Estimate and APP
portiorulent to-day There is a vague rumor
that the city, under Section Al Of the charter
has the right to go ahead and build a municipaI
lighting plant. The Gas Trust apparently does
not take much stock in this suggestion 1t de-
cided yesterday to increase its capital from $50
100000 to S10OO00O00.
In the campaign last fall there were appar-
emily well founded rumors that the Consolidated
Gas Company was assisting the friends OF
Mayor Mcclellan in his canvass. Tanmany
Hall had all the money it needed
Controller Grout in March Of 1903. when Com
missioner Monroe advised the rejection OF the
Gas Trusts bid. said that it would be gooo
thing for the city to refuse to pay the com
pany's bills, and compel It 10 produce its books
in court and demonstrate the worth OF It's prod
uct after which the city could pay just What
gas was worth. The Gas Trust vent on Iur-
nishing gas at so much hundred feet 1t Is
understood that the last negotiations between
the city and the company were conducted oy
Walter r. Addcks younger brother OF j.
Edward Addcks Of Delaware.
Neither the Controller nor lhe Nld9ot SS94''~N
disposed yesterday to say much about the agree
rnent between the Consolidated Gas Company
and the city over terms. At the Office OF Con-
uersszsr Grout there seemed 60 be undue elation
because Colonel Monroe, who now Is practising
law. had found the new condition OF affairs such
that he advised the acceptance OF the COM
pany's latest bid for WeIsbach lamps. az which
there viii have TO be about twenty-five thousand
at S24 20 each. When Colonel Monroe was
asked about his attitude. he said:
IT think the offer of the Consolidated Gas
Company to furnish Welsbach lights at $24 40
each a good and reasonable offer. / would
have accepted such an offer were 1 in the place
Of Commissioner Oakley
It is said by Colonel Monroe's friends that ne
tried hard to get the Consolidated TO reduce It's
price In 1903 10 S25 p lamp. and that he would
have accepted its offer If it had been so re-
duced.
tive study and I am prepared to coincide with
his view that il will be we'll for the city 20 agree
upon the terms proposed by the Consolidated
said Controller Grout.
Mayor Mcclellan said he was not prepared
to say whether he would favor the contract with
the gas company.
How do you think the acceptance Of the
Consolidated Gas Company's own price har-
monies with repeated declarations in Demo-
cratic platforms in favor Of municipal owner
ship Of gas plants. etc" ne was asked
'The last platform declared for the municlp-
aIization OF the Staten Island ferry and such
other utilities as could be brought about said
the Mayor THAT very broad. and 1 think
we are keeping our promises