The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-28
WEAVER WINS A
GREAT VICTORY
Republican Organization
Forced to Yield.
NO HOLD UP OF PEOPLE
After a Conference With Durham and
His Lieutenants the President OF
the Gas Company Withdraws
His Proposition For the Gas
Lease Extension.
(y the Associated Press.)

Philadelphia, Pa, May 27.-After a
contest lasting five days, the "Repub-
lican Organization, led by Insurance
Commissioner Israel w Durham, was
forced today by public opposition and
clamor to abandon it's efforts to extend
the lease of the city gas works to the
United Gas Improvement Company
for seventy-tive years. Thomas Dolan
president of the company, today for
warded a formal letter to the presi-
dents of the select and common
branches of city council withdrawing
his proposition to advance the city
$4,000, 000 in consideration Of the ex-
tension of the lease which the COM
pany now holds. This action was
taken after a protracted conference
Senator Nichol and Select Councilman
Charles Seger. who presented the gas
lease resolutions in councils.
The withdrawal of the United Gas
Improvement Company's offer is UNI
doubtedly a signal victory for Mayor
Weaver in his fight with the 'organi-
alton" though it does not mean the
end of the battle. The injunction pro-
ceedingly brought by David Smyth,
former director of public, safety aud
Peter E. Costello, former director of
public works against Mayor Weaver
and their successors. Colonel Sheldon
Potter and A. Lincoln Acker, TO re.
strain the mayors oppointees from
conducting the affairs of the two de-
partments. is still to come up for ar
gument and the leaders will make
determined effort to have the temper
airy injunction made permanent.
Since last Thursday, when the mayor
created the first sensation by oustinC
Directors Smyth and Costello and APP
pointing their successors, great pres
sure has been brought to bear upon
the councilmen by both sides and the
organization leaders have steadily
maintained confidence in their ability
to have the gas lease passed over the
MAYORS veto. Popular opposition be-
came so pronounced, however, that
enc by one members of councils VINO
voted for the lease began to
show a disposition to accedc to the
wishes of their constituents and today
with almost a week intervening be-
fore the lease should come up for final
action. the mayor required only seven
votes in select council and ten in COM
mon council to sustain his vote.
1t became evident that the leaders
were losing control of councils, but
they were saved from putting their
strength to the direct test when the
United Gas Improvement Company
withdrew it's bid. Commissioner Dur
ham. State Senator McNichol ana
Councilman Seger held a two hours
with President Dolan with
the result that the company officially
q assumed the responsibility of with
drawing the lease.
Mr. Dolans letter to councils states
that the notifications to the original
lease bill, reducing the price Of gas.
were not in accord with the offer Of
the company, but that they would
have been accepted. Owing to the op-
position on the part of the people,
however. MIR. Dolan's letter stated the
company was unwilling to enter into
any contract with the city looking tc
any variation of its present lease.