New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-28
NIAGARA GRAB" BOBG UP.
SaddIedOn t0Cassidy Bill By CIcUer
Amendment.
IBr rr1EaRAPH 70 THE FBIBUNE.l


Albany Aprn 27-By that sort % mAnipuls-
t,on which IS known in other spheres as "a shen
game" the Leggett Niagara bin. which was re-
committed 20 the Assembly Rules COMMITTEES
yesterday. suddenly appeared IN a more or less
rsmodelled form as an amended Cassidy power
blu. ana even Senator Cassidy was aghast az
the sudden change IN his little bll. which he has
protested for months WIS only an attempt to
please a constituent power company Of his IN
Elnira.
Under the terms OF this new amendment power
companies obtain the right now possessed solely
By railroad corporations TO enter on and con-
denim lands necessary for the transmission OF
shelr power. The disingenuous explanation for
the whole proposition. lying in the assertion that
railroad law IS amended 70 at power companies
also" falls 20 the ground simply because while
there Sc IN the Railroad Commission a check on
the railroads, which can only condemn after
they have secured a certificate OF public con-
venience ana necessity, there would be no check
on the power companies.
But the technical objections are far less Sig
nincant than the manner in which the Cassidy
bin was transformed. This measure. after be-
ing criticised for many weeks had BILL has
Numbered undisturbed until its author suddenly
asked for its passage No sooner had he done
this than Senator PHommedieu. who put the
Niagara bin through last year, arose and asked
70 amend the bill and sent his amendment to
the clerks desk
What does Il DOR was asked.
1T is merely an amendment" said rHomne-
dieu. by those who desire the right 20 transmit
electric power. Il transposes certain actions
OF the Railroad law and makes them conform
20 the use OF electric corporations"
And might add" put IN Senator Cassidy,
that this bill OF mine has more TO do with
Niagara Falls than with the moon. A man who
erects and uses power transmission line will
not destroy the beauty OF Niagara nor disturb
the government, as some people seem to think"
did the bill originate with the Senator" IN
auined Senator Marks. 'or was It handed to
Nm? It looks 10 me though the gentleman
was handed gold brick and that he did not ex-
actly know where It came from nor what It
contained"
Senator Cassidy asked time 10 examine the
LHommedieu amendments and the Senate's
acceptance Of it was made contingent upon his
approval The minute the amendment reached
the desk 1t was hustled away to the printer and
no little doubt existed to the exact wording
OF this late change One thing was certain,
however. and that was that OF the Cassidy bill
there remained nothing but the title ana the
former bad reputation. The Niagara Senator
had simply used the Cassidy bill, which was
ready for passage, as a vehicle on which to load
his new bin, thus avoiding all necessity for COM
mittee work. hearings or even protests. The
conservative opinion, however, seemed 70 be
that the extent OF the damage done by the
amendment was not 70 menace Niagara Falls
With the possibility OF fresh attack, but rather
20 open the whole State 70 the dangers Of con-
oemnauon for power transmission, for the new
bin provides for the transmission. not the gem
GRAFTON. OF electrical power, and affects not
merely the Niagara, LOckpOrt and Ontario
Power Company, but every power company IN
the State.
The bill IL strongly opposed by the Citizens
onion representatives, who to-day issued a
etateInent attacking the bin as amended. The
fact that il has been held back so long Is urob-
ably the real hope for its opponents. It will
require the most slilful management 70 pass a.
Cor II VIII not be available for vote until Mon
day IN the Senate. but IL can be advanced ia the
shape OF an amended Leggett bill IN the AS.
eenoly At all events the mask is on and Il is
nere thai the power interests VIII make their
nnal fight.