New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-29
THINK 0DELL WILL VETO 1T
Niagara BILL HEARING.
Governors Attitude Said to Shoe
His Intention.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

iBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Albany. April @S-Four hours of discussion on
the Niagara Power bill before Governor Odell
to-day served only to emphasize the criticism
already directed at this measure. but result
OF the trenchant and pointed questions asked by
the Governor the general impression existed at
the close OF the hearing that he would veto the
bill. In opposition to the bill there appeared
representatives of the Merchants Association and
Citizens Union of New-York City. the Buffalo
Chamber of Commerce citizens from Rochester,
representatives of tho American Scenic and His
torical Preservation Society, the Niagara Park
Reservation Commission. and also OF large
number OF power and electrical companies whose
interests are affected by the proposed bill. On be
half OF the measure there present dele
CATION OF citizens from LockpOrt, number of
stockholders and directors of the company, and
ex-Judse W. NJ K Olcott, counsel for the COM
pany
The arguments urged against the bill sub
stantialy the same that have been advanced for
the Citizens Union since the bill first intro
duced. Robert Van Iderstine presented a brief.
and pointed out the chief dangers OF the bill.
Among the evils he declared the bill would work
unlimited Of the waters Of Niagara.
which would permit drawing off the falls:
limited right to furnish and supply electricity the
right to sell electricity to cities towns under
contracts freed from all statutory charter
strictions. the broadest right Of condemnation OF
property. the right 10 enter IN and change the
grade OF any street end erect poles In any COM
munty in the State. II further pointed out
that the bill would give all these franchises and
privileges away without precision for recompeuse
to the State. Mr.. Van Iderstine alleged that the
franchise Of the corporation had already been sold
for $LoJNco
THE GOVERNOR INTERRUPTS
It was this feature Of the measure that seemed TO
impress the Governor. for when defencsc Of the
measure. Fred Corey attempted to eu,id5'o this
point the Governor interrupted. laying copy &C
the bill. which he had been reading. aside.
There is ore thing which I would like 20 have
you give Information about" said the
Governor. What do you think Of the policy Of the
State continuing TO give away property in n man
outlined I'm this hIl?'
This evidently sfooH the confidence OF the friends
Of the bin, and Later. when an attempt was made
TO show other companies Md received similar
rights the Governor again broke in. Dome ,.,,,
think that this thing has got 20 stop son1ewhere7
Edward HaEaman Hal, q the American Scenic
ana historical Preservation Society. protested
against the bin cndangering the beauty az the
falls. II. d. Dumon:. OF the Merchants Assoc,.
uon fled an objection from that body 10 the hin
W. 3. Hoyt. Of the Buffalo Chamber Of Commerce
explained the development OF the Niagara Lock
port ana ontario Company from company or
ganized TO provide water to Lockport to n general
power corporation. asking the legislature 10 call
its business public. lie declared that the citze,s
Of Buffalo were at present asking the national gov
eminent to build ship canal which would be
affected by the rights asked by the power COM
pany. He pointed out that the terms Of the bill
would permit the company TO Invade c--erv com
munty Of the State. and evade municipal regula-
lions in New-York City. A large number ~
private power companies including the General
Electric Company. protested through representa-
tives against the wide powers conferred by the b11
rival corporation.
Judge Potter. former law partner Of the late
ex-senator T. E. Ellsworth. argued against the
bill and dramatically introduced In evidence an
amendment drawn in the handwriting OF his former
partner which materially limited the scope OF the
BILL but which had not been Incorporated The
Niagara representatives declared that they had
never It, but had accepted number Of otber
amendments from ex-senator Ellsworth The posi-
ton Of the ex-senator toward the measure was the
subject OF considerable debate
JUDGE OLCoTT CAUSES AMUSEMENT.
The oratorcal part Of the defence of the bill was
conducted by ex-Judge w. NJ. X. Olcott who raised
several laughs at the expense Of the Citizens Union
and severely assailed the for its attitude on
the bill. He said in part:
The Citizens Union expresses It's opposition to this
bill here 1t is accustomed to express itself with
vigor. II deals more In criticism than creation and
IS sometimes less valuable to the State for that
reason. 1t criticses an amendment introduced at
Its suggestion mere are some people you can't
satisfy. and the Citizens Unon-sometimes its
criticism is good. sometimes it's awful.
Now. the campaign that has been carried on
against this bill is disinGenuous to say the least
animadverted against by attacks directed against
the Assembly, the Senate and the executive sim
ply by reason OF the fact that they arc public of-
cials. The logic Of the situation this measure IS
with | don't say that If IL were not | shOuId
not be here but l should want a larger fee We
have two prices-a smaller one when the logic is
with us. "A larger one when have to do in
tellectual stunts
The opponents of this measure remind me Of the
wolf in H1sops Fables who trying to find an
excuse for eating up lamb. At last he discovered
that ancestor OF tho lamb had once taken a
drink OF water above the point a stream where
his ancestors had been accustomed to ba the ooh
said he, now Will eat you up for your ancestors
diminished the supply of water my ancestors had
TO battle in
This is absolutely germane TO the question for
this is the objection that the other rival newer
companies, which desire to maintain a monopoly
are raising. ~
Following ex-Judge Olcott large number of
citizens Of Lockport and representatives of the
Niagara Power Company argued for the bill The
Governor reserved his decision but II is generally
believed ne VIII strongly disapprove the measure.
FIX WEEK OF EXECUTIONS.