The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-05-23
TUMULT in PHILADELPHIA
Citizens Aroused Over Lease Of City
Gas Works BY Councils.
Widest FRENZY AT CITY HALL

Uproar Of Protest as Action Is Taken
Police Called to Clear Galleries AZ
Crowd Calls CounciImen "rhieves''
and "Robbera' - Ring Declares City
Needs Money
Philadelphia. Pa.-Under the lash Of
the leader of the most perfect political
organization in any city in the United
States, the City Councils, which con-
sists of two bodies, patterned after
Tie upper and lower houses of the Ma
tional Legislature sold out the rights
OF the people to the United Gas I'm
provement Company amid ain excite
1pent and uproar with out precedent
in the history of rotten politics in this
rim g-ridden city. The gas works of the
city were tur1Ed over TO the United
Gas Improvement Company for term
Of seyenty-five years for S25,000,000,
which is to be paid in installments be-
tween the date of the passage of the
net ana the year 1907 1t is estimated
that the ultimate profit of the gas COM
bination will run close to billion.
I'lle town was soon in an uproar.
The disorder in the Council chamber
when the final vote was taken was abb
s0lately without precedent Thousands
Ct citizens surged around the City
Hall. Every available inch in the part
SET aside for spectators was packed
ana jammed beyond description. As
TIE vote was announced there went UP
roar Of rage that made even the
most subservient tools of Israel 5.
Durham, the leader, quail and turn
Eiyid with fear From the spectators
gallery there came a quick instant
shrek of 'Thieyesr' "Robbersw
Shame! Shamer'
The men who had voted expected a
demonstration, but nothing quite so
tuuultuous. They were so frightened
By the outburst that they dared not
leave their pls es until police protec-
ton was afforded them and the crowd
began to melt away.
The crowd continued to hiss and call
tie Councilmen thieves and other
started to clear the gallery. AS the
people moved out they sang uncom-
rlinentary songs In clearing the gal
iery there were several clashes be-
tween the police and spectators, but no
Gne was hurt.
All through the session of the Com
ZION Council there was disorder. In the
Select Council there were 60 many po-
licemen on duty that no one dared to
Interrupt the proceedings. There was
Il ither a cheer or a bass when the bill
Issased that body.
he agitation resulted in the Com
non Council amending the bill so as
ta provide for slight reduction in the
Easee of gas The present price, 81
fof 1000 feet, remains until 1911; from
1871 to 1921, 95 cents; from 1921 to
1896, 80 cents; from 1886 to 1856, So
cents and thereafter until the expira-
lion in 1880, so cents.
The Finance Committee had before it
two propositions, one from the United
Gas Improvement Company and the
othcr from p. Smith & Co, bankers
of this city, representing New York
and Philadelphia capital.
The Smith bid differed from the other
IN that it proposed to share profits
with the city at the rate of one-third
for ten years and one-half for the re-
naming sixty-hye years, and also pro-
vided that the city could reduce the
price of gas as the profits increased
A subcommittee reported in favor of
the United Gas improvement Com
pany. The report stated that the city
was in immediate need of $49000,000,
and that the present borrowing capac-
ity of the municipality was only $15,-
100000. In view of these facts, the
report ST. led. the best the city could
do would be to lease the gas works for
4 long term, the money to be paid in
advance.
a letter from Mayor Weaver asking
the committee to postpone action was
read, but no action was taken
The committee then announced itself
ready to hear from citizens. Select
Councilman Charles Seger, Repub-
lican organization leader. moved that
each speakers time be limited. This
suggestion was received with Kisses
and cries Il "ShaAew and Rob
bersm Order was resored with diff
auIty and Mr.. Seger's motion was
withdrawn.
Those who spoke against the United
GaS lmpIS ement proposition We're
John G. Winston, Chairman of the
Committee of Seventy; Francis B.
Reeves, Chairman of the Committee
Of Nine, appointed at recent mass
meeting of citizens; William Potter
former Minister to Italy; w. T. Tilden,
Of the Committee of Nine; G. w. Nor
Fis representing the Smith syndicate,
aud ex-Judge James Gay Gordon.
Al the conclusion of the meeting
which continued stormy throughout
the committee fayorably reported the
gas company's lease to the Common
Council.
Fifteen minutes after the bill had
nassed the Common Council it was
taken up by the Select Chamber.
which had take a recess to await the
measure. it was read c.ickly and a
motion TO postpone action for the pre-
eDt was defeatcl.
Samuel Crothers. who ought the bill
! this chamber, shook his fist in the
faces OF the leaders and said it was
"the blacklist crime ever perpetrated
by Councils of the city Of Philadel-
phin'