The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-21
CITY GAS INVESTIGATION.
IT'S MAIN PURPOSE As SOME SEM
ATORS SEE 1T.

| Il IL TO Put the Gas Companies Under
Obligation 10 OdelPs Political Machine
and Render II Unnecessary TO Have
ANY Relations With TRmmany Hail
ALBANY, March 2O.-The New York city
! lighting investigation Is the subject which
now absorbs the attention Of the members
Of the Legislature. Every one is wonder
/ ing just how far the committee will Co. Il
was asserted tonight by some members
Of the Senate that the main purpose OF
Chairman Odell in sandbagging the Con-
! soldated Gas Company and the Brooklyn
| Union Gas Company with legislative
| investigating committee was to cut any
| financial and political ties which these
! companies may have with the present
administration In New York city and put
! the companies under complete obligation
70 Mr.. Odel and his political machine.
! These Senators went on 60 say that only
in the event Of the big gas companies re-
, fusing TO come 10 terms with Mr.. Odell
and his triumvirate of Legislators, who
! are controlling the Legislature in Mr..
| Odell's absence in Europe. would any legis-
lative action be taken TO the serious detH-
ment of the gas companies. One plan for
making the big gas companies friendly 10
the Odell machine is 10 provide a sliding
soale for gas and electric light, both to
private consumers and to the city which
Odell and his friends argue would render
it unnecessary for the Consolidated Gas
Company TO have any relations with Tam
many Hall, as the city officials then would
have nothing to say regarding the prices
for public lighting
These friends Of Odell further say that
! there could be legislation concerning gas
! franchises about 20 expire and street open
ing privileges which would place the gas
! companies beyond the reach Of Tammany
officials and at the same time place the
companies under lasting obligations TO the
| Odell machine.
It is in view Of this situation that the
Stevens investigating committee is being
| termed Mr.. Odells grievance investigat-
/ ing committee, for the reason that MIR.
Odell expects through the operation Of
! the committee, to have all his grievances
| against the gas companies amicably settled,
/ 70 the detriment of the Democratic organi-
| zation in New York city and to the full
| satisfaction Of Odell's political machine,
! all for the purpose OF aiding Odell's Candi-
! date for Mayor in New York city next fall.
Senator Stevens's grievance investi gating
! committee held meeting tonight after the
| Senate session and named Charles r. Ho-
| falling Of Albany as the sergeant alarms
/ Of the committee and George II. Shotwell
! OF New York city as the official stenograph r.
! The committee did not discuss the question
| Of selecting the counsel, but will meet again.
| About every political lawyer in New York
| has applied for the position Of counsel for
/ the committee. The committee has con-
sidered the name Of Juli-n 7. Davies Of
| Davies, Auerbach johnson Tor appoint
ment as counsel.
on motion Of Senator Ranes the Senate
! tonight authorized, the Senators on the
investigating committee 70 remain away
from the Senate sessions and hold continu-
Gus sessions,
The bill recognizing the New York city
police force, prepared by the committee
of nine selected at the meeting II the Cham
Der Of Commerce was brought 10 Albany
tonight by I. Ludlow Christie. the secre-
tarv Of the committee. IL will be intro
duced tomorrow. some Of the Repub-
lcan leaders in the Legislature don't take
kindly to il. Senator George r. Malby
thought the best way would he 10 pass
law permitting the appointment OF the
Police Commissioner for an indeterrrinate
period permitting his removal only on
charges and giving him complete control
Of the force and the appointment Of the
mana ping head. Thus he argues, re-
sponsibihty would be fixed and the remedy
TO correct evils promptly provided II the
Mayor Of the CITY did his duty.
II Is expected that the indirect tax meas
ures, taxing mortgages, stock transfers
and life insurance premiums ana the
Raines law amendments putting II up 10
the building. fire and health officials in
cities to see that Raines law hotels complied
with local ordinances will be passed in the
Senate this weeE,
Senator Page tonight introduced the
Marshall bill OF last year providing for
the selection Of candidates for Office and
delegates 10 party conventions by direct
vote of the people.
Assemblyman Moreland introduced a
bill which provides that nc. one can be APP
pointed a locomotive engineer unless he
has served three years as locomotive
fireman.
The Assembly and Senate tonight ad-
iourDed out of respect to the memory OF
Assemblyman Frederick +. Perham, who
died at the Albany Hospital this morning
The members Of the lower house proceeded
TO the undertaking rooms where the re-
mains were resting and viewed them prior
10 their shipment 70 New York city to-
morrow morning.
A week ago tonight Mr.. Perham took
an active part in the debate Of Senator
Titzgerald's bill providing for a monu-
ment 10 the victims Of the Slocum disaster.
He had resented what he called playing
politics with the sacred memory OF the dead.
The next dav he was taken i'll. having arisen
from a sick bed to come back TO Albany
to attend TO his legislative duties, and
double pneumonia set in, resulting in his
death this morning.
MIR Perham was a member Of the Assem-
bly, Judiciary Committee and was one Of
the mon bers who took a pronounced posi-
ton in favor Of thorough investigation
into the charges against Supreme Court
from the Assembly will be appointed to
attend the funeral in New York city and a
memor ial session will be held at later
date