New-York tribune., 1905-03-06
THE GAS SITUATION.
Hone of Solution Lies scith Coz
ernor-TaM of Message.
fay TELEGRAPH 10 TKB TRIBUNE.l

49,. 1tercp 6Tyhe hope OF gas legislation for
NE present session viii be dehntely reaSea or de-
.ss.ed .n the next few days Inc posiuoh or 1he
"--oo- Sneaker Nixon and the majority OF the
0O-,-l.o, 0ONs-.+S- h.s been outlined beyond perad-
So II bo+h instances they distinctly favor
@ -,a5,sI legislation. but the Senate remains
,s,,r,,a end determined, and ar present not only
-. .,s situation but shows every evidence OF
..st,s 10 defeat such legislation. No one is
.,-s nv the report Of the Fitzgerald bin by the
S.,,.oe on Miscellaneous Corporations last week.
ct, cent gas IS, IN the minds OF majority of
,.sIstors q price too low To- ask OF the corpora
80 when it comes up all the Democrats will
ably vote for II, and they VIII be beaten.
5aer when an 50 cent bill comes from the Republi-
- s,5e all the Democrats safely vote against
:. ss = ,oo high, and enough Republicans will join
ss with them TO defeat It. many believe All
"a. < sn obvious sort Of manouyring that de-
,,s few but pleases the Senate's sense OF huuor.
ne hope OF the situation lies in the Governor.
snA,sI message from him, reinforced by plain
.,,,tnr and possibly by unInistakable action. will
% srs,tlve He has been advised by Speaker
-, and other leaders 10 take such steps Those
10 have talked with him. even since the develop
eBts OF last weeks Republican caucus are con-
snoes that he stan hopes and expects some gas
l.rislation and that his hope is not mere idle
6rsarnIre but desire, backed with no small de-
termination. 10 see that party policy and pledge
are carried out. Whether he VIII at once send
message or wait little longer before acting is still
8 matter Of doubt.
The talk OF a legislative investigation has been
revived in the last few days. \ resolution calling
,or such action was introduced by Senator Page
from New-York. early IN the session It is now in
the hands OF the Finance Committee, and could
probabIy be reported. This might act as club 10
drive the Iobby's influence 10 cover and as such
Esapon it may be employed this week But none of
those legislators who believe IN gas legislation have
lsny Illusions. AL realize that there must be hard
land uphill fight before anything can be accom-
rushed in the present temper OF the Senate The
disgust OF the better element OF the upper house
both at the cause and the character OF last weeks
psrformanCe IS shown openly and freely. "A
victory for the lobby, unqualified and overwhelm-
ing IS their frank description OF the gas contest up
70 the present moment
There is some chance that the stock tax measure
viii pass this week The legislators have practi-
caIy made I'D .leir minds to get money from this
source. They are still considering certain amend
raents the result OF the hearing Of last week.
The most important OF these amendments is the sub
sitution cf percentage tax the market value
dstooks sold for the rat tax Of s. proposed IN the
PsIclnE measure. which taxes the sale OF q share
q Delaware, Lackawanna and western at 353 no
!, = 'cse f So q Sri Ttfo Sc sIeS' con G0Ion, mon
iorTn.ty with that imposed the Paris Bourse and
main issue Of taxing stock transfers the Iegsiature
has apparently reached q decision which II will be
We need The money" is their frank explanation.
two months OF session nothing has been accom-
lplshed Not single important legislative measure
lhas been passed. The tax measures have even
loeen reported from committees for the considera-
is practically where II was at the outset of the
session. Even the State Census bill is stiN waiting
final action. Already. IN adtourning the Hooker
keep It in session until beyond the middle Of April
and talk of extra session is to be heard. The
tie-up gas has prevented the introduction Of
many important bills that are waiting a favorable
party and State Issues that has seldom been
equslled, and no present avenue OF escape Is In
view.
For thess reasons this week will be crucial If the
problem passes the Stock Tax bill and sees new
light n gas IL viii still hDd II hard TO adjourn be-
fore the last week in April and no one inagines
that anything beyond a Jau1rning through OF Ine
tax bfII y take place this week The responsibility
for al this rests E-h the Senate which is follow
ing q Fabian policy partly to crafty personal re-
sentiment at the loss OF its extra list parity 10 give
evidence OF its Independence and partly because OF
rhe unusual jealousy and bad feeling TWO months OF
session have developed inside the Senate itself,
EbS0-prio- OF Hamilton County into tNltoTl
hgl VIII be the subject OF hearing on Wednesday
before the Assembly Committee on Internal Affalrs
ard II Is eEpected 70 be warmly contended. The
chief opposition is said 70 be that or many old
County and some people in Fulton County, prin-
c.pally IN JohnEtown and Gloversy1le. Hamilton
County has no county court, the cases being tried
n FNllror County and the cities Of JOhnstOwu and
Gloversve deriving the business and other Dement'S
OF the present situation.
A large number Of other bills will be the subject
Of hearings this week. Among the more important
will be that on the Gardner Brooklyn autonomy bill
and or the resolution for the investigation Of tele
phone conditions before the Senate Finance Com
rnittee. also on Tuesday