New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-06
LEGISLATORS LOSE GRAFT.
JOKER IN BILLS PASSED.
Better Gas or Double Mains
Addicks Sees G0Uernor.
IBY TELEGRAPH - THE rRIBUNE.I


scandal attaching 10 the defeat of the S0-Cent
Gas bill yesterday developed here tonight when
it was widely reported that the legislators who
sold out yesterday We're not getting the PRICE
they contracted for, This was foreseen yesfer-
day, and several who were suspected of making
arrangements were warned, The POSITION said
to be taken by the paymasters is mat the con-
tract was for the defeat Of all bills, while all tho
goods that were delivered was the slaughter of
the S0-cent bill the bills fixing the quality and
pressure of gas slipping through.
These bills are now thorn in the side of the
gas magnates. and a result. they are paying
that percentage of the contract actually car
ried out. 1t is believed this was what the Gov
ernor had in mind this afternoon when he said
in reply to q question as to whether he would
call a special session for the gas legislation as
We'll as for the Hooker case. in order to pass the
SO-Cent Gas bill:
You mean with the votes of those who were
against IT yesterday" with significant smile
and then refused any further explanation
The fact that this result was prophesied yes
terday and the fact that the same thing hap
pened last year in the case Of the Remsen East
River Gas bill payment for which was refused
after Governor OdeH vetoed the bill. on the
ground that the contract was contingent on
IT'S signature. are furnishing no little satisfac-
ton the who voted right on it yester-
day
MEASURE CALLED DANGEROUS
The clearing away Of the obscuring clouds
after the gas climax OF yesterday has revealed
the fact that the victory of the Consolidated
Gas Company was less sweeping than had been
first imagined in the defeat of the S0-cent gas
measure. To put the case briefly the defeat OF
this bill left the price of gas unfixed but the
passage of the other bills provided drastic
means for fixing the standard both of quality
and pressure. Moreover, the best test of the
alarm created among gas interests by this fact
lies in the hasty visit paid by Walter R Ad-
dicks. representing the gas companies. to Gov
ernor Higgins this morning, when he assured
the Governor that the inspection which makes
provision for these details was a bad and dan
gerous thing
The joker" contained in the gas bills AMI
put there by the Stevens committee and the
Attorney General TO accomplish just this pur-
pose was the result of a shrewd suspicion
that some of the bills might pass and some fail
and that it was Wisest TO put as much as pos
slble into each bill Consequently the require
- ~ III qCillIS VI SeiS We're inserted IN
noth the Dill fixing the price to the city and
that 10 the consumer. The former bill as
result OF the iudecision of Senator Brown,
passed and the company faces the situation.
Either II must put in different mains for serv-
ing gas 10 the city to keep il up TO the legal
requirements, or it must keen ali it's gas nm 10
that requirement, for the gas sold TO the CITY
and the private consumer passes through the
same mains. This determines the problem of
pressure and quality and this provision is made
the more drastic by the other bill regulating in
spection.
INSPECTION MUST BE DAILY
The important section of this bill. which is OF
vital concern to every consumer of gas means
this: That the local commissioner of water sup
ply gas and electricity is to appoint inspectors.
who are to test the gas manufactured furnished
or sold in New-York. This gas is to be inspected
at least once daily and as frequently as the
commissioner may direct. and the inspectors
must report, under OATH to the commissioner
daily. The commissioner must file these reports
daily and the reports become public records.
open to the inspection of citizens If the quality
or pressure of gas creates criticism or protest
the responsibility and the blame can thus be
placed the commissioner or traced to the
perjury of his subordinates. This and the dras-
tic requirements that the gas must meet, have
occasioned the comment that the victory of the
gas lobby was less sweeping than at first imag
ined. 1t also indicates the resourceful fashion
in which the battle was waged by the friends
of the proposed remedial legislation.
Moreover, the deciding vote cast by Senator
Walter L. Brown has already produced one re-
suit Yesterday n. E Ransom, q constituent of
Senator Browns, the man generally be
lieved to have been selected to succeed d. C.
Middleton Forest. Fish and Game Comrnis-
SiOner. To-day the Governor nominated James
s Whtpple, Clerk of the Senate, for this position
Senator Cobb had offered 10 vote for the gas
bills yesterday on assurance from the Governor
that he would reappoinr Mr.. Middleton. and was
bluntly told that the Governor was not issuing
trading stamps for votes. Senator Prime. who
voted against the gas bill has already been de
feated in mis- county caucus. and will in all prob
ability never return to the Senate after his pres
ent term.
HIGH PRICE FOR VOTES QUOTED
Even in the closing hours Of the session 70
day the main interest centred In the scenes of
yesterday. Hardly q member recalled a scene
such as that when Mr.. Brown sat between a rep
resentative of McCarren and the representative
of his party and. turning a deaf ear TO all ap-
peals, defeated the gas measures. Discussion as
to the price of votes yesterday has been general.
but while the talk of bribery and corruption is
heard everywhere. while prices high $50.
600 and $4,000 are quoted for single votes, such
circumstances are not and cannot be proved. and
their truth or faISity must remain unknown.
That the Governor will sign the bills that
TO him and leave TO the Mayor the re
sponsiblity for the others is regarded as alb
solutely certain. The agreement is said TO exist
that no faction shall be represented; otherwise
no pledge has been made. The Governor said
in his talk with the reporters to-day tha' yyo
Republican leaders had sent word that they
would vote for the gas bills on assura nee or
the appointment Of their respective candidates
for certain offices
Governor that was not making my appoint
ynents in that manner or with trading stamps.
The six gas bills passed by the legisla ture are
now in the hands of Governor f1lss!-lS. ~ ~ - -
the Senate late yesterday afternoon the sen
ate amendments to the other three We're con
CURED in without opposition oN the Assembly
this morning.
"PIT" CROH'E GIYES Up.