New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-08
GAS SITUATION TANGLE.
CAUCUS TO-DAY
McCawen Fauors Fitzgerald BIZ for
Pmty Purposes.
fpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


1 Albany March Seldom in legislative history
! has tbere heen such complete tangle as now
exists in gas legislation. to solve whlch a t'epuo
lican caucus has been called for to-morro" might
! The Fitzgerald bin narrowly escaped coming 10 p"
vote to-day. All its enemies Ilned up 10 io'ce ~ "
issue -
we want the bill calculated Senator Met arren'
smacking his lips. "AIl the Democrats VIII vote TOT
the bill with clear conscience knowing that IL 1t
passes il will unconstitutional since II plates '
n~ice too low and that if it fails they Will nave
been able still get record 1hey VIII 'Heii &c
able To nav all their party debts by Young SoluiH
against any possible measure fixing the price a.
SO or 20 cents is the Democratic scheme 10 ue
feat sas legislation and still to place the burden on
the Republicans ~.
At a conference of Republican leaders the fltz-
gerald bill was discussed this afternoon Ihe oo-
iectors above mentioned were urged oe"''"i
Rafnes asked postponement until after party con-
ference tomorrow night. The substitution Oh an
sO-cent bill proposed. but no agreement beyond
a possible tentative programme OF Pos'po'eilet
was reached. ,
u is well known that Governor Higgins earnestly
advocates remedial Legislation ard has not aoated
his insstence the passage OF a gas measure
The probability is that the Fitzgerald bill will be
sidetracked tomorrow by the debate on the City
club amendments to the Raines law and that some
dednite party programme will be formulated to-
morrow night at the caucus Here a Repuohcah
party gas measure will be proposed and possibly
advocated.
The activity Of the lobby this time is still felt
ana pressure is being eXerted to kill legislation
Friends of the lobby unanimous in their insist
ence that no gas bill be passed The friends of
gas legislation insist that the Governor will soon
send a message and that further activity of the
lobby will be attended by sensational revelations
and make similar assertions but the situation still
seems far from solution
A further complicating circumstance is furnished
by the notice given by Senator Page, of New-YOrk
to-day. that, unless the Finance Committee report
ed his resolution calling for a legislative nvesu-
cation of the New-York City gas situation at its
meeting to-day, he would discharge the
committee Al the recent Senator Page
said of his resolution Il don't propose to be used
any longer as the bird dog to flash up the game for
other people 10 shoot at"
The pressing of his motion will inevitably pro-
woke a sharp and bitter controversy
In the Senate to-day the effort postpone debate
on the Fitzgerald bill called out curious debate
IN which all the enemies of the measure urged its
immediate consideration. Tammany Senators join
ing with Senator McCarren. Finally. the discussion
crystaized in motion TO adjourn made by Sena-
tor Ranes. All the foes of gas legislation, headed
by Senator McCarren, aided Fitzgerald In prevent
I'VE want the BILL said Senator McCarren, with
obvious meaning. Finally Senator RaineS reminded
the Republicans of the recent and the fact
that gas was still a pending matter with the Re-
publican members. He renewed his motion. de-
clined allow the skipping of his bill amending
the Raines law, to permit debate and attempted
to get vote. The reference to the caucus brought
Senator CoggeShaI to his feet with protest. Il
object TO the revelation of secrets he said
with a SOiemnity provoking general mirth.
Ruled out of order, he appealed from the decision.
Several points of order We're made and there was
Finally the Raines motion prevailed and the Sen
ate adjourned.