New-York tribune., 1905-03-03
GAS BILL REPORTED.
Committee Lets Fitzgerald Measure
Ont Without ApproUGI.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1RuNB.l

Albany March 2-Contrary to general ex-
pectation, the Serate Committee on Mscela-
neous Corporations to-day reported out the
Fitzgerald 70-cent gas bill, not as bills are
usually reported, with the approval of the COM
mittee, but in the perfunctory fashion that puts
the measure before the whole Senate without in
| any sense expressing the approval of the COM
! mittee. In other words. this committee, having
by it's previous vote expressed its disapprovaI
of the measure, to-day, put it out, that the
whole Senate instead of the committee, should
bear the responsibility for the failure of gas
| legislation and that its members might be
freed from the charge which has been made
that it was holding up" the bill.
Two interpretations are possible for this ac-
ton; first, that the threat made al the coa-
ference last night that if this bill were not re-
ported the finance committee would report a
resolution introduced by Senator Page and ask
ing for legislative investigation, would be car
ried out forthwith; second, that the opponents of
gas legislation were convinced that as a result
of the long conference and full discussion of last
night the majority OF the Republican Senators
were opposed to gas legislation and that gas in
terests would not be endangered by any such ac-
ton, while the committee would be freed from
onerous personal responsibility.
BY far the larger number Of legislators were
inclined to place the latter construction on the
/
| tion Of the Governor has been made plain. The
| leaders of the Assembly have personally assured
the Governor of the readiness of that branch of
! the legislature to carry out his wishes or the
party programme. While the conference last
night took no action, majority of those present
| to-day expressed the opinion that any action of
| the conference, would have been hostile TO any
| remedial gas legislation. The result places the
! burden of responsibility clearly on the Senate.
! In the action of last night multitude of diff
ferent conditions were apparent. Not few
! Senators still feel personal resentment because
/ their extra lists cut by Governor Higgins
| ana that, element played part both in the
| struggle over the Morgan bill and over the gas
measures The NeW-York City RepubIica MS
/ lyn We're far less enthusiastic It was indeed
doubtful If their votes would have been for anv
1 gas bill. Senators Raines, Malby McFwan
Fancher, Goodsell and White Were also in line
! Tor the desired measure. There were possibly
| two or three more, but the lineup last night
| II the opinions of the majority of those present
| are a fair index. would have been oyerwhelrninp o
! against any action making cheaper gas for
| New ork City party measure.
1t is still possible for the Governor TO send a
| special message TO the Senate, but a nessa ea
the Senate committee to-day lies in the fact
! that the bill reported is lower than the Drice
already agreed on by many favoring some lesris-
latlon as a fair price. The introduction of a new,
| Dill would bring fresh complications dan eero,s
! to desired legislation. The party leaders I5oTs
determined to go on with the fiebt and If u,iII
be resumed next week.