New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-19

half for the remaining sixty-flve years. and also
provided that the city could reduce the price
of gas as the profits increased.
The committee began its session with the hear
ing of the report of subcommittee which ia
vored the lease Of tho United Gas Improvement
Company. The report stated that the city was
in immediate need of $49000000 and that the
present borrowing capacity of the municipality
was only S15 900. In view Of these facts. the
report stated, the best the city could do would
be to lease the gas works for a long term Of
years the money to be paid in advance, and
that the offer of the United Gas Improvement
Company was the best proposition in hand
A letter from Mayor Weaver read, asking
the committee to postpone action for the present.
No action was taken the request
The committee then announced itself ready TO
hear protests from citizens. Select Councilman
Charles Seger. one Of the Republican organiza-
ton leaders Of the city. moved that each speak
ers time be limited. This suggestion was re-
ceived with Kisses and cries of "Shame" and
Robbers" Order was restored with difficulty,
and Mr.. seger's motion Withdrawn.
ACTION CALLED A CRIME.
Those who spoke against the United Gas I'm
provement Company's proposition were John c.
Winston chairman of the Committee of Sew
enty. a municipal reform organization; Francis
B. Reeves, chairman OF the Committee of Nine,
appointed at a recent mass meeting of citizens;
William Potter former Minister TO Italy; w. 1.
TideG. a member Of the Committee OF Nine;
Ci W. Norris. representing the Smith syndicate,
and former Judge James Gay Gordon.
At the conclusion of the meeting which con-
tinued stormy throughout. the committee IA
vorabiy reported the gas comparys lease to the
Common Council. In the latter body the debate
was bitter and aroused the spectators to such
q pitch that the proceedings were frequently
disturbed by Kisses and other cries of disap-
proval. The chair half dozen times threat
ened to have the gallery cleared, but did not put
his threat into execution until the bill had
passed. when he completely lost control OF the
crowd Several amendments offered by OPP
ponents of the lease were voted down,
Fifteen minutes after the bill passed the Com
mon Council it was taken up by the Select ChaIn-
Der, which had taken q recess to await the meas
ure. 1t was read. quickly, and a motion TO post
pone action for the present was defeated. SanueI
Crothers. who fought the bill in this chamber,
shook his fist in the faces of the leaders ana
said il was the bIackest crime ever perpe-
trated by Councils on the city of Philadelphia
Those who favored the bill said the city was IN
urgent need of money and that public sentiment
was not against the lease.
The Committee of Nine tonight issued the
following statement ito the citizens of Phila-
delphia":
You received to-day the most insolent afrront
from your councilmen given to the people
of any great American city. Despite reason ana
respect for the rights of the people. the city
councils voted to confer upon corporation the
unhampered control of your gas works Your
committee. appointed by town meeting. now
calls
First to awaken to your injuries, which are;
A-Insult to your declared opinion and the
expressed wish of your Mayor asking for delay
B-Theft Of your property.
C-Enslavement for three generations TO a gas
monopoly.
Second TO rise in your might and by personal,
unceasng effort make impossible the consum-
nation of the greatest steal ever attempted:
A-By assemblage in every ward, by personal
demand and pressure upon your local council
men.
BY full and immediate use of the cards and
literature distributed by the committee, as well
as other forms of written protest.
CIBy preparing for a great rally that will
block the final attempt 70 complete the con-
spiracy when the ordinance is again considered,
after the Mayor has vetoed it.