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-
rortionment ana the Department Of Water sup
ply. Gas and Electricity particularly the gas
part OF it, have dropped a plum into the oapaci-
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 ma"
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 extortion, is to be paid at It's
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 indulgtng IN a
chuckle which. II it were metred and sold 10
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 aLeseu
extortions Of the Gas Trust, now says that the
companys present offer is. on the whole, rea-
sonabe, and that he would be in favor II ne
were Commissioner, OF accepting It,
Controller Grout struggled against a quick ue-
scent into the nav Of the trust until Coionei
Monroe said 1t was a safe plunge to take. NOW
apparently, he regards the companys price
S24 rs. for Welsbachs fair. for he intinaIeu
Yesterday that Colonel Monroe's Endorsement
of Commissioner Oakey's attitude in accepting
the company's bid had greatly impressed MIN
Doubtless the subject win be thrashed out at
the meeting OF the Board Of Estimate ana APP
portiorrlent to-day. There is vague ruInof
that the city, under Section Al OF the charIer'
has the right to so ahead and build munlclpSl
lighting plant The Gas Trust apparently does
In, SIG
cided yesterday to increase its capital from SoU'
100000 to S1OOOOO.OO0.
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. Tammany
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
nanvis bills and compel it 10 produce It's books
in court and demonstrate the worth OF us prod
uct, after which the city could pay Just what
gas was worth. The Gas Trust went on rur-
Disbing gas at so much a hundred feet. 1t is
understood that the last negotiations between
the city and the company were conducted by
Walter r. Addicks younger brother OF j.
Edward Addlcks of Delaware.
Neither the Controller nor the Mayor seemed
disposed Yesterday to say much about the agree
ment between the Consolidated Gas Company
and the city over terms, At the office or Con
aera.7sr Grout there seemed 90 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 Welsbach lamps, az which
there win 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 Wesbach lights at S23 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 a lamp, and that he would
have accepted its offer If it had been so re-
duced.
colonel Monroe gave the subject exhaus-
tive study and 1 am prepared to coincide win
his view that il will be we'll for the city 10 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.
monies with repeated declarations in Demo-
cratic platforms in favor Of municipal owner
ship Of gas plants etc. he was asked.
''fhe 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 was very broad, and think
we are keeping our promises
R
NEW HALL AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.