The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-03
SENATE BOLT ON GAS BILLS.
FATE or STEVENS MEASURES rs
IN GREAT DOUBT.


ALBANT, May 7.-The Republican Senators
held a caucus tonight on the lighting bills
introduced by the Stevens committee, and
there was split, The session lasted
until AN
The caucus at FIST was called az q con-
ference TO consider and act upon as party
H. easures the seven bills reported by the
S.evens committee. which were introduced
T. carry out the recomm endations Of that
committee.
when il was proposed to turn the con-
ference into a caucus ten Of the Senators
left theroo These we're Bracket. Brown,
Cassidy, Coggcshall, Davis, Fechter, Gard
ter. LIIommedieu, Cobb and Human.
Senators Amber and Wilcox did not attend
the conference, but they were understood
90 stand 10y the boilers.
Senator Armstrong while remaining In
Tie caucus Is understood TO oppose rs cent
Cos. though he said no would support all
Of the measures. The Senators leaving
tie caucus were not in entire accord in
their sentiment with respect to the bill.
Senators Cassidy and Coggeshall we're
opposed TO all the bills,
Senator Bracket said that he left because
he would not be caucused to the State
public service commission bill and was ready
70 beat all the bills rather than let that pass.
Senators Davis, Brown. Fechter and Gard
ner are understood to be opposed to 70 cent
gas.
Senator MoEwan Of Albany and Senator
Wilcox Of Auburn, who did not attend tho
conference. also are understood to be OPP
posed to the Stevens bills, and It was said
they would join the independents. On an
average the odell triumvirate in the caucus
could muster but q votes on some PROPOSE
tions and p on others. It requiring 20
votes to pass bill.
As the caucus broke up Senator Raincs
remarked regarding the Senators who had
retired:
They are not Republican Senators. they
do not deserve to be counted as such. They
have walked out and deserted the party
on these measures
Senator Cooper tried TO quiet Senator
Raines, but the former was In a white heat.
When he became calm Senator Raines
stated that they would be able TO get the
twenty-six Republican votes necessary
to pass all the bills.
This means that Gov. Higgins Is to be
forced by the Odell triumvirates tomorrow
10 utilize all the influence Of the ONCE Of
Governor to bring the independents into
line.
we have made these bills party meas
ures, all seven Of them. and the Republican
Senators in the Senate will vote for them
as party measures, said Senator RRines
in explaining the results Of the caucus.
Senntor Raines meant that an average
Of twenty-one or twenty-five Republican
Senators, a majority OF the caucus. had
voted to make the bills party measures.
we have amended the rs cent gas bin
40 as to provide for a rate OF 80 cents
added Senator Raines.
In view Of the split in the Republican eau
Gus there was much interest az 10 what
position the Democratic Senators would
take, for il the in dependent Republican
Senators who went out Of the caucus stand
firm the Republicans will need FIVE or six
Democratic votes TO help them pass the bills.
III, hills include the one fixing a seventy
five cent rate for gas, the one reducing
the Iios OF private and public electric
lighting, the one authorizing the city TO
establish a municipal electric lighting plant,
the one regulating tho pressure and
standard Of gas furnished; the one provid-
ing for an inspection OF meters and the
one establishing a State public service
commission to supervise and regulate the
operations Of gas and electric lighting and
power companies.
There were invent y-eight Senators present
at IN, sat Two-Ehberg Of New York
and Carpenter neither Of whom felt well
left their proxies. Senator Elsberg at
tended, but left early, but Senator Car
renter did not come TO the Capitol
tonight. Senator Barnes had been e1-
cused on account Of illness and Senator
Hill Is in Europe, while Senators McEwan,
Prime and Wilcox were absent, With no
proxies present and without having been
excused.
II had been asserted that there we're a
dozen Republican Senators who would not
attend a caucus OF support the Stevens
h az party measures, 80 to-night's meet
ing Of the Republican Senators when II
was announced was styled a conference.
After the conference met Senator Stevens
explained for an hour and half the work
and recommendations Of the COMMITTEES.
He was followed by Senator Page, another
member Of the Stevens committee, who
talked for half an hour.
Then came questions from all sides In
dioating doubt as 10 whether the seventy
five cent gas rate agreed upon by the com
mittee was not 30 low a. 10 mean practical
conhscation and criticisms OF the establish
ment Of a state public service commission.
some Of the Senators thought an IS or
90 cent rate advisable, but Senator Stevens
went into the matter In detail, with a view
Of showing that the committee had decided
upon a price that not only would be fair
10 the public but fair 10 the corporations.
While the conference was on, Senators
Faines and Malby said IL had proceeded
sufficiently TO satisfy them that there would
be more than enough Republican votes 10
Pass the Stevens bills In the Senate and
minated that there would be a number Of
Democratic votes In the Senate for the bills.
The Republican Senators expect that
the TammAny Hall SENATOR viii get In