New-York tribune., 1905-02-23

SENATORS DISAPPEARED.
GAS MEASURE HELD UP.
Tammany's Bill for City Relief De
serted at a Crucial Moment.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuxE.l

Albany, Feb. 22.-A sensation was sprung in
the legislative attitude toward gas legislation
tonight when, after long hearing the Fitz-
gerald bill, Senator George Malby attempted TO
get together his committee to report a gas meas
ure. To his surprise the committee had
ished: Senators Cassidy. Wilcox. Coggeshall.
Cullen and Fitzgerald. all ardent champions of
gas reform. had disappeared, Senator so
precipitately that he left his hat behind him.
Resentful and indignant, Senators Malby and
Goodsell sat alone. while messenger boys hunted
members of the committee miscellaneous
corporations. but though a quorum had been
present just before the close of the hearing. it
had escaped.
I'VE are sorry Senator Fitzgerald did not
main. as he requested to do" said Senator
Malhy, somewhat scornfully, so he could have
moved his bill 1t seems that when get all
ready to give the people Of New-York City just
what they want find the representatives of
the suffering public running away. We will
give them just one more chance at a meeting to-
morrow morning, and if they don't attend they
must take the consequences and shoulder the re-
sponsibility. They seem to have seen light
that is not apparent to the other members"
Not for long time has there been so pro-
found sensation here as this incident caused
tonight, and it is believed forecast little
trouble for gas measure such as has been ex-
pected. The preciptate flight of the members
TIE essnrlittee psfrtieUla -ly OF the Tam0any
Senators whose bill was under considera-
ton, is generally being talked OF tonight
failure of the committee to report some gas
measure tomorrow, particularly if it were due
TO the failure of the members of the committee
TO attend, would produce serious and danger
Gus situation. The Tammany sincerity in seek
ing to give New-York City gas legislation is
thoroughly exploited, that Senator Fitz-
~ fo5O read hNyM IA W or
Mcclellan, lacked the nerve TO stand by his bill
when it had chance of being reported.
The Senate Committee on Miscellaneous Cor
porations this afternoon gave hearing on the
Fitzgerald 7O-cent gas measure. Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Charles L. Guy appeared for
the New-York City administration, and declared
that it wanted not only cheaper gas. but bet
ter gas and a more accurate system Of meter
inspection.
THE Mayor" said Mr.. Guy. believes that the
city already has authority to construct it's own
lighting plant and intends to do so. Neverthe-
less he asks the legislature to pass the bills now
before it authorizing the city to take such ac-
ton in order that the stablishment of mu-
nicipal plant may not be delayed by litigation
1 am instructed by the Mayor to urge this COM
nittee to report favorably at once the Fitzgerald
bill Mayor Mcclellan. however, as you know, Is
a very practical business man He realizes that
in the past, reductions in the price of gas have
What the people of New-York City are interest
ed in especially is not merely reduction in the
price of gas but reduction in the amount OF
gas bills which they obliged to pay from
month TO month. In order therefore, 10 insure
the beneficial results of Senator F1tzgerald's
measure the Mayor has had presented to this
body bill introduced by Senator Foley. provid-
ing for 75-cent gas, and also providing for local
jnspection of gas meters and amending the pres
ent law as to inspection in connection with quail
ity of gas.
s'Under the present system OF State inspec-
tion of gas meters have made no progress
for twenty years There has been no tndica-
tion of any atternpt to discover an Improved
meter or to bring about greater accuracy in
the measurement of gas consumed. In the next
place the present law is wofully defective, in
asrnuch as it requires three violations, under
test Of that feature Of the law dealing with
the quality of gas. The city administration be-
lfeves il has power now to go ahead and con-
strlct a municipal light plant and 1t will go
ahead and construct it, The only question in
regard 10 the legislation is this It is always
advisable to prevent veXatiouS litigation
wherever there is doubt to the law. There
is a great deal Of difficulty in floating "A neces-
sary bond issue. If you will grant the legis-
lation embodied in what is known as the
Mayors Municipal plant bill you Will GO away
with the possibility of injunction proceedings
and much litigation"
The bill was opposed by Charles F. Ma athew-
son and other representatives CT the gas COM
panies. who argued that the present price of
gas was lower than in the large majority of
cities.