New-York tribune., 1905-01-26

people when even less than 75 cents would give
large profit. Electric light charged Tor AT even
higher rates. he said. The interest or the Hluhlcl
pality should safeguarded by allowing 1t to light
its own streets. parks and public ouldihss' anu
to relieve the people il might be necessary TO sell
light TO them he declared. The Controllers letter
goes on:
l believe that the city has to-day sufficient su-
thorfty TO make all proper and needfW lnVesusa-
ton both for its own purposes and as the basis Tor
legislative action. Did not so believe should at
once join in the request for legislative investga-
ton
have now before me as Controller bids for gas
and electric lighting for the period from January
l90S To March ls. 1904 In this period no contracts
existed between the city and the monopoly or its
constituent companies. The companies are.
therefore. entitled recover only the reasonable
value of their services. Under Section li9 OF the
city charter have in such a case substantially
the power to inquire into the fair value of
these commodities and to summon and examine
witnesses. as your proposed resolutions would con-
Ter upon a legislative committee. have entered on
such investigation. and my power has been bit
tery resisted. | have resorted 10 the courts for
warrant Of arrest to compel the giving of testi-
mony. and in doing have relied upon the same
provisions of law-Sections S4, e55 and $50 Of the
Code of Civil Procedure-upon which a legislative
committee would have to rely if the authority were
dehed / have to-day. after such contest and long
argument. obtained the warrant, and have thus
sustained the authority conferred upon me by
and my remedy my authority was dehed,
thus substantially the would be those of
a legislative committee and believe are entirely
sufnclent for the present emergency.
II anything is to be inquired into to the execution
the 1904 contracts. Mayor by direct authority
of his commissioner. or by the aid of his com
missioners OF accounts. can supplement the scope
Of nv authority would call your attention the
fact that already. although as yet / am without
the evidence be given by the companies them
selves much proof has been made showing that the
prices both and electricity excessive.
This will doubtless be made very clear when the
proC+ of the companies Is compelled and 1t Will be
IN IN
day. and such proof viii furnish the necessary basis
for laws restricting these prices.
I have had but difficulty, other than the
Willingness of the lighting monopoly TO reveal the
cost OF its product and that is the refusal of the
whom | chose. ! unwilling to accept the ser
vices OF the Law Department itself for reasons
first. because il had in il no one familiar with the
technical questions involved and. second because
the inquiry. Its representatives have publicly
such disbelief. and its chief has stated il to me
personally. / was naturally and l think properly,
unwilling to accept the services of Counsel who
did not believe in the case. I have therefore been
compelled to accept for the city the voluntary and
uncompensated services Of MessrS Henry Yongo
and Thomas Z. Donnelly. who possessed the reuui-
site technical knowledge, and having confidence in
their cause have demonstrated the power of the
Controller by obtaining for he arrest
removed either by the Law Department now retain
ing these gentlemen or by the legislature amending
the charter so as TO permit the Controller TO re-
tain private counsel when need exists, or BY my
pensated services which, in emergency good
citizens should be. ana. as have found. are ready
10 render. The latter course is hardly fair how
ever, Tor the city OF New-York to pursue.