New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
CONFIDENT OF CHEAP GAS
MAP BE 8O-CENT BILL.
Ne7c-YOrh Republicans Look for
It's PASSAGE.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

IBF TELEGRAPH
Albany, Feb. 2S.-The confidence that the lobby
has steadily maintained in its ability to hold I'M
all gas legislation has been seriously shaken in
the last two days The party leaders. on the other
hand have grown steadily surer that an SO-cent
gas measure, favored by the Republican leaders
accepted as a party measure and having the full
approval and support of Governor Higgins
would be passed Throughout the week there
nave been conferences. Senators Raines and
Malby were with the Governor to-day for some
time and it was generally believed this was the
topic under consideration, Although Governor
Higgins has steadily insisted that the attitude
Oh the Executive should be to pass on legisla-
ton only when 1t reached him It is generally
believed that he would view with disapDrovaI
failure to live up to the public expectations
Therefore It is assumed that after the session
OF the Miscellaneous Corporations Committee on
next Thursday, the committee which last week
held up the Fitzgerald 7O-cent gas measure
there viii be sudden and striking Developments
Tax Commissioner William HaIpin, who has
been busy at work advocating the measure in
the last few days; Senator Elsberg and other
New-York City members are confident that an
So-cent gas bill will be brought out and nassed
and the party leaders, who were inclined to he
respondent last week have regained their for
mer falth that the party pledge on this question
VIII NC luIiileo' whether because of executive
assistance or merely because of a fuller Iegsla-
tive realization of the political effect of last
weeks victory for the lobby is not vet known
The main fact is that # is now regarded as GER
tain that there will he a gas measure granting
some relief to the people of New York
Ihere was further gas hearing to-day he
Tore the Senate Cities Committee. The bill con-
sdered was the Foley 75-cent gas measure In
faVor OF this bill, ex-senator Guy spoke for the
city administration and Senator Foley for the
bill itself, as its ntroducer number of law
yers opposed the measure. In discussing it c.
T. Matthewson. representing the Consolidated
Gas Company, said
When the people OF the CITY Of Navy York
got dollar gas thought that there was rest
for the weary, but they want 7O-cent gas
despite the fact that the price Of materials has
gone up cOnsdera bly,
How about your stock?" That has gone up,
too. hasn't it, asked Senator EIsberg amid
general laughter.
Ex-SenatO" Charles l.. Guy, representing the
| city administration. met rather awkward sit
uaton when Senator Lewis. after evoking a fiat
statement that the city asked for the measure
/ tracts:
Don't you think the city would do better il
| it came to the legislature with clean hands in
! stead Of after having made contracts with the
| gas company behind closed doors and Withou.
! the knowledge of the Mayor
Ex-senator Guy declared that the contracts
! had been made by the Commissioner and the
Controller. Mr.. Grout is usually regarded as a
pretty careful man." he added.
"Yes," the sarcastic rejonder but he
| has changed his mind about the virtue Of those
| contracts, hasn't he?"
Mr. Guy admitted this The hearing was ad-
| jOuTned for week.