New-York tribune., 1905-04-21
RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION.

The investigation Of the gas and electric light
business is making steady progress. Former
legislative inquiries conducted in this city have
produced more public excitement but we doubt
| if a single one Of them has promised more ben
efiCal results at a corresponding stage. The
counsel to the committee felt constrained yes
terdav 10 repudiate a sensational statement at
tributed TO him. which would not have obtained
general credence if It had gone uncontradicted.
1t is known that Mr.. Hughes was not the COM
mittee's first choice. but it is due TO him to say
that his final selection was fortunate. With lit
tie opportunity for special preparation he has
shown q remarkable grasp of his subject, and
has succeeded in eliciting from reluctant wit
nesses a multitude Of highly interesting facts.
II is worth noting. moreover that the investiga.
ton has been conducted quietly courteously and
without any effort at playing to the galleries -
It has been shown that the lighting business
is an absolute monopoly: that handsome divi-
dends have been paid on large overcapitaliza-
ton: that the price charged for gas and electric
light is far in excess of the cost of production
and distribution and that in some parts Of the
city, ct least gas is supplied at such a pressure
greatly to increase the cost of given
amount of light We think it is safe TO sav
that these things have been proved. There is
also much uDrefuted testimony to show that the
gas furnished is in large measure Of inferior
quality and that the pressure is deliberately IN
creased for the purpose of increasing consump-
tion and consequently making the bills heavier.
II there is no mistake about that the fact serves
to explain why compulsory reductions Of price
have been Of no benefit to consumers It also
clearly suggests the advisability OF demanding
from the legislature something more than n
further reduction.
If. at a dollar thousand feet, gas bills are
not smaller. but larger. than they were when
the company was permitted to charge a higher
price reduction to so OF 15 or 20 cents tbo1.
sand would give no assurance of relief.
Nor is the cost Of gaslisht the only or even
the most important consideration Poor gas
at high pressure is dangerous and unvvhole-
some The public, in whose streets the uonop-
oily has acquired great privileges, have an annie
right 10 demand that a good quality shall be
furnished az a not more than sufficient pressure
The law is supposed to guarantee such service
but the law is i'll adapted to the purpose II
needs 20 be so amended that the city autbori.
ties will be able TO apply it for the protection NJ
the public. and may be held responsible for n
failure TO do so.
We have not alluded to certain inportaDt mat
teTs in evidence, because we shall probably heor
more about Them. and they may be omen 70 dis
pute--to strange discrepancies IN the valuation
Of plants, for example; TO the enjoyment OF fran
chises apparently outlawed. and to the Navor-s
blunt statement that the companies using the
underground duets have been robbing +bo
city" But the results already obtained arc
enough 70 Justify the investigation and com
rnand public respect for the committee and itz
counsel