The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19
BurNbdHl S Phillips
GuStcn Catering Only.
IIe s I2I ha$SaA 81.
CITY HALL FOR LIGHT INQUIRY
FIRST PUBLIC SESSION DOWN FOR
NEXT THURSDAY.

Counsel 10 he Chosen on MOnday-Henry
w Taft Asked TO Take the job, but
lie Cannot PrOmise-ChairmanS stevens
Owns Gas and Electric stocks Himself.
All the members OF the joint committee
Of the Senate and Assembly which was ap-
pointed 10 look into the public Lighting
situation in this city got here yesterday,
Senator Grady one Of the two Democratic
members, was appointed a committee on
site" After looking about for while. he
decided that the old council chamber in
the City Hall would be an ideal place for
the public sessions Of the committee. The
room is large and comfortable. Since the
council was abolished it has been used for
public hearings and meetings Of the Board
Of Estimate.
Senator Grady called up Mayor Nc
Clellan at Lakewood on the telephone. and
his Honor consented to the use Of the room
by the committee. The committee met in
secret session at the Murray Hill Hotel
last night and Senator Grady presented
his report. At the close Of the meeting
Senator Stevens announced that a selection
Of the room was the only business done.
Counsel would be selected at a meeting
TO be held in Albany. In all probability
the first public session will be held in the
City Hall on Thursday.
From another source il was learned that
the post Of counsel was offered to Henry
w. Taft, former school commissioner, a
brother Of the Secretary OF War. At first
no declined absolutely to take the Job,
saying that he had an important case on at
Washington which would take all his time
for several weeks.
At the earnest solicitation Of the Republi-
can members Mr.. Taft consented to con-
slider the offer and said he would have his
answer ready at o'clock, Al that hour,
however, he was not able TO give the com
mttee a definite answer and the subject
was dropped until tomorrow night.
Mr.. Taft was mentioned last year as a
possible candidate for Governor on the
Republican ticket and has been talked Of
later az a candidate for Mayor.
Once, when he wGs member Of the
Board Of Education, Charles Buckley Hub
bell the president, had a mighty war Of
words with Mayor Van WICK over the
public schools at a meeting Of the Board
Of Estimate After a while Mr. Hubbell
grew tired Of the fray and, turning TO a
Must keep this thing up?'
Go on" said one of them. Don't let
that little blathersldtc rattle you"
Mr.. Taft was in the group. History has
it that he was the man who gave the answer
but he never would admit it,
II was said last night that the Demo-
cratic members of the committee, Senator
Grady and Assemblyman Palmer, had
made a demand T. be allowed to name
associlts counsel 10 represent the minority
in the investigation, but that they had
been unceremoniously turned down
Senator Stevens said that the committee
had considered no requests from the Demo-
cratic members.
Inan Interview yesterday Senator Stevens
denied that he had been put out Of the
gas business by a legislative investiga-
ton.
How about electric Light" he was asked.
That IL a different matter" he replied
Il was once the president Of the Potomac
Electric Light Company and the United
States Electric Light Company Of Wash
ington, d. c. Down there when the Dist
riot Commissioners think a company is
charging too much for service they have
a way Of cutting down the rates. merely
sold my stock in the electric light com
panies in Washington and got out"
Senator Stevens admitted that he still
owned stock in gas and electric light COM
panies, but said he did not recall owning
any in the New York companies which
are now furnishing light TO the cityA
The Municipal Ownership League, OF
which W. II. Hearst is the chief light. sent
a letter TO the committee last night Offering
all kinds Of assistance In the matter of
counsel, experts and data.
In conformity with the direction Of Mayor
Mcclellan, Deputy Commissioner Good
win, Of the Department Of Water Supply,
Gas and Electricity, wrote yesterday to
the lighting companies informing them
that their bids were rejected. This was:
You are hereby notified that have rejected
all the bids received at the public letting.
held on the 18th inst, for lighting streets.
public buildings. sc. You are entitled TO a
return Of your security deposit, and may
obtain IL on surrender Of our receipt to the
COMPTROLLER.