New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-15
CAN'T PAY GAS BILLS.
Permanent Injunction Restraints City
OffcioIs-Grout Getting Evidence.

Justice Dlckev. in the Supreme Court, in Brook
iyn yesterday made permanent the inJuhcuoh oo-
tained by Clarence J. Shearn. couflsel Io' IN
gresham William r. Hearst, preventing mayor
MCCLELLAN Controller Grout and City chamberlain
Eeenan from paying any money TO inc Soilsoii-
dated Gas Company and its allied interests on 'le
contracts lately entered into by COMMISSIONS 'ah-
ley in behalf OF the city
= The Controller has turned his attention 70 the
estimate by Cary T. Hutchinson. an engineer.
turned in to the Board Of Estimate year ana
q half ago concerning the cost and equipment OF
o. municipal lighting plant. Il is understood that
Mr. Hutchinson will be one of the Controllers wit
nesses.
Commissioner Oakley. after q conference with
the Mayor. issued the following statement:
made the contract with the lighting companies MES
vice I sttIl think the terms l obtained were the
best that could ne obtained in the absence Of any
my powers In the matter, I went 70 the Board OF
Estimate ana to the Corporation Counsel MT.
sponsibiliry Of my Office TO execute the contracts
Ezth the representatives of the gas and electric
lighting companies, | made the contracts. I had
ing 10 my understanding the Controller thought
the terms obtained were good
change Of front, nor do ] think II within my
Grout told the public that he thought the con
Iracts made and the terms OBTAINED were sood:
HIS own expression was that the contracts were not
tdeal bet showed decided progress 1or inc peneht
20 be expected that We could obtain ideal terms.
The saving the city at the very smallest esti.
exceeds S250000. nothing OF heading OH
q tedious ana expensive litigation.
Mr.. oakiey's statement then goes on to argue
that because the Gas Trust pays heavy taxes that
IS g reason why IL should charge exorbtant rates
for lighting. He repeats the statement OF 7 c.
Martin. Of The Electrical World and Engineer"
declaring that II is unfair TO make comparison
between the high prices charged here ard the low
prices charged in other cities. He ends by saying
that he doubts very much IF the litigation threat
ened by the Controllers refusal to pay these bills
and the lighting companies determination to have
them paid VIII result in good terms for the
city as were offered and accepted under those much
discussed contracts"
When Mr.. shearn was asked about the signid-
canoe Of the permanent injunction he said;
It means for the city possible saving of 5000
and 81 go 00 year for the future. For the gas com
panies it means that for the first time on record
of manufa curing and distributing gas and electric
light These figures VIII be such revelation TO
ship Of both gas ana electric lighting plants should
be irresistible.
Controller Grout said that he was at work on the
proposed investigation of the lighting.
4 have not changed my attitude in any respect
since my statement Monday said the Control
Ter. The investigation 1 will Ike VIII not De a
secret one. ! am nOW gathering information We
must have before we can proceed with the nvesti-
CATION We must have this Information to serve Is
a basis for the coming INVESTIGATION We cannot go
hunting Ter Information with brass band. Ihat
as soon as they have obtained it / will subpoena
witnesses. The law makes Il perjury 10 testify
falsely under oath, and II witnesses should refuse
10 attend or to bring books ana papers; l should
so If it should be held by the supreme Court that
the justices OF THAI court have, not the power TO
legislature TO widen my powers that may deal
with contumacIous witnesses"