The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-25
plss Lcnr n,lLs, SAYS uAioa.
Answering inquiry From Albany Abun'
"InNPstlgatIUn.


Answering In0nir, From Albany Abnu'
"Intestlgation.'
albany. Jan a. Gov higgins said to
day to couple Of Merchants Association
pilgrims who urged him 20 favor a legie'a-
tive investigation Of public lighting in Ne"
York city that he not only had no power
20 bring about such an Investigations but
that Il was hrs pelscBal opinion mat before
an investigation was ordered II should
be established whether New York city
did not itself have power TO cope with what
ever evils might exist
Mayor Mcclellan replied yesterday 90
the letters sent him by Chairman George
r. Malby OF the Senate Finance Committee
and Chairman James T. Rogers Of the A
semby WAYS and Means Committee in
curing If the city government requested
and desired an inl estigation by the Legs.
laiure of the public lighting situation OF
this city or could attend to IT itself; " men
this letter was mailed to Maror Mcclellan
last Saturday from the Fifth venue Hotel
after il had been talked over by Chairman
Odell and his friends there was 40 attempt
made to hide the fact that the parpoee OF
it was to put the responsibility OF Gaining
for legislative investigation ON the CITY
administration.
he would feel justified in requesting legis-
lative investigation II would be necessary
20 know the scope Of the contemplated IN
Quiry. He adds.
The corporations engaged in the lighting
business do not owe Their origin 70 the Guy,
but 10 the state and the city cannot exercise
over them the same power anu authority
which tho LEGISLATURE possesses
The Mayor then proceeds to rub il in by
pointing out To Messrs. 'halby and Rogers
that II the Legislature really wants 10 do
the city some service IL can do 40 better
by passing some of the bil!S affecting light
ing now before it THAI by worrying over
investigation committees. He says:
have caused to Ice introduced into the
Legislature q measure conlerring upon the
CITY the power and authority TO establish ana
maintain municipal lighting plant, and my
purpose in 20 doing was 10 prevent ltlshtloh
designed to delay TINS nndertaklng The
prornpt passage ~ this measure
Whether the Legislature passes this bill or
not the city has the power and purposes 70
proceed with the plan as the only sure remedy
FOR existing conditions.
In this connection might add that within
The erection OF a plant which will urni4h
electric light for an important area OF TINS
city. and an confident ihst wi, w,thbln ~, I0ur
pleted and will result not only in the saving
annually OF large sum Of money, 20 The city
but will demonstrate the praCticabihty OF
using the city's refuse for fuel,
But The power OF the Legislature 20 give
relief is not confined TO the benefit i may
give 10 the city directly. The general con
sumers OF illuminants can also, be relieved
especially so far as the cost OF gas is con-
seG Ss E Ssdy 10. G n PRhs'
proposing to lower the price OF gas. but none
OF them has been passed understand that
a Senator from this city, MIR Fitzgerald has
n bill now before the Senate fixing the price OF
gas at 70 cents per thousand cuolc ieet Let
the Legislature pass this bil ana u wiz anord
At $40
can get no such relief except from the Lesls-
latnre
The Mayor also urged the passage this
session OF his measure for the inspection OF
gas meters and regulation of pressure in
gas pipes under local supervision. Under
the existing law the State inspector of gas
Is supreme in these matters.
In closing his letter Mayor Mcclellan
said he had no suggestion TO offer rs to
whether or not a Legislative committee
should be appointed. That lie said, Tas
something the Legislature would have TO
decide after its committees had heard the
testimony 10 be presented at the public
hearing to-day in Albany on the lighting
bills which have been introduced. The
Mayor added:
ing from legislative Investigations; We have
had four such invest cations OF the lighting
another in 1885 again IN 1886 ind then In 1890.
one OF whiCh-that Of iSs5--was most thor
ough, but in spite OF these Investigations the
city and the gns consumers here find them
selves still without freedom OF contract in
this matter. and they Will remain so In spite
Of fifth invest CATION unless the Legislature
gives prompt relief to liberate us from this
condition. and the Legislature alone can do II.
do not wish to be considered a. Offering
any protest against Investigation If after
consi6 Grafton you believe such course TO
be wi But | do urge that. without any
waste Of either the public's time or the
public's money. this LEGISLATURE could by
passing these remedial measures grant last
ing benefits 70 the people OF the city Of New
York
Despite the fact that tho Aldermen had
been served with notice that il they did
not send the application OF the Manhattan
and Bronx Electric Lighting and Power
Company for a franchise to lay wires under
the streets to the Board of Estimate they
would be mandamused. the board l'ester-
day rejected the application, on the ground
that M the city was about to 60 mo the
public lighting business il would be trad
visable to make any more grants TO light
ing companies.