New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-29
tpr TELEGRAPH 70 THE rr1RuNr.l


Albany April 2S.-The decision of the legisa-
tive gas investigating committee carrying the
recommendations as told above was announced
unoficially at midnight after the COMMITTEES
had been in session FOR several hours The
Democratic members, Senator Grady and AS
sembyman Palmer. left the room before the
decision made known and refused TO sign
the bills, but announced their decision was not
final and might be reversed tomorrow 1t is
assumed, however they will refuse to agree
Prior to the announcement Of the findings
Senator Stevens had a long talk with Speaker
Nixon and Senator Malby. supplementing
similar conference of the entire committee earlier
in the day. None of the three would indicate
the character of the discussion. but at its close
Senator Stevens went back to the meeting, and
it was an hour later before the result
known. AS they came out both Senator Grady
and Assemblyman Palmer declined to discuss
the findings of the committee or their probable
action, insisting that they had not had time to
digest the report
Authority is conferred on the city to use sur
plus water acquired for the purpose of water
supply for the creation of electricity to be used
for public lighting, but water power cannot be
condemned by the city for purely power pur-
poses. This is similar to the provision stricken
out of the Mayors water supply bill.
The following are the more important of the
provisions of the bill prepared by the RepubH-
can members of the gas committee to create
State public service commission of three mem
bers with powers closely modelled those of
a similar Massachusetts commission. This
board is to be entirely independent and the cost
of maintaining it is to be State charge. The
bill was originally drafted by Assemblyman
Merritt, of ST Lawrence, and introduced as a
separate bill earlier in the session. 1t has been
modified in some particulars. The general pow
ers covered the following heads:
First-General supervision of all corporations
maintaining wires in any municipality Of the
State for furnishing gas and electricity for light.
Second-POwer to examine all corporations
under its supervision as TO their methods and
conduct of their business.
Third-Power 10 investigate the quauty or
gas supplied and recommend improvements.
Fourth-POweT to fix standard of illuminat-
ing power of gas and require that 1t be met
Fifth-Power to prescribe methods OF book
keeping for corporations.
Sixth-Power TO require corporations to sub
nit annual reports showing details of their
condition, amount of capital stock and bonded
Indebtedness, their receipts and expenditures
dividends and expenses for the year.
Seventh-The commission is tC make an an
nuaI report to the legislature covering service
corporation as the Railroad Commission report
does railroads.
Eighth-Power to enter on property of corpora
tions to examine the books to subpoena wit
nesses.
Ninth-Hereafter no corporation Of this char
acter be Incorporated or exercise powers
until il has secured a certificate or authorlty
from this commission, and corpora tions now eX-
listing ara compelled to secure the same GER
tifcate.
Tanth-Stocks and bonds Of these corporations
shall not be issued hereafter without the ap-