New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-14
PROBE BRIBERY CHARGES?
ALBANY GAS .AFTERUATH.
Senators U7ho Yotcd against 50
Cent Bill Nay Be Questioned.
[Br TELEGRAPH 10 the rrrBrye.I


Albany. May ia quiet Investigation be-
gun possibly as the result of representations
o. the Citizens Union. is said to be going on
under t.e direction of District Attorney
George W. Addiugton Of this county de-
termine the extent To which charges OF bribery
in the recent legislative fight that ended in ths
defeat of the 80 cent gas bin can be sus-
tanned by direct proof Mr.. Addington VIII
not discuss the case. His friends are not par
ticuIariy sanguine as To its results but it 3
entirely possible that some OF the Senators who
voted against the bill may be- asked to answer
any questions Mr. AddIsJou may decide u
ask them.
For example. it is suggested that senatoS
Patrick II. GIcCarreu. who led the fight
gainst the bill on the door Of the Senate, who
spoke against the bill. and vro displayed an
intimate knowledge Of the cost OF maHUfaet-
uring gas. surprising that OF many Of tha
officials Of the Consolidated Gas Company who
appeared before the Stevens committee. may
be one of those who viii be questioned by the
District Attorney All this is not a matter
OF exact knowledge, for Mr.. AddinSton viii not
reveal his plans
The rumors that attended the defeat of the,
so cent bill were precise and had common cur
rency. It was asserted that the price of votes
against the bill opened at $4,000. slowly
during the debate and then violently in the re-
cess that followed the first defeat OF the bill
passed $4,000. and in one case attained the un-
usual figure of $4,000. but all this is rumOr
! which has not been proved true
The plain fact is that vote was lacking
! to pass the bill and that after sensational all
! day session the bill perished. Subsequently fc
| was reported that the full price agreed on vas
not paid but that the fact that six out OF ths
seven gas bills passed was being used as basis
for horizontal reduction" This fact started
the impression that the special session to la
convened on June u. to consider the charges
against Justice Hooker. would be quite prepared
10 pass the gas bill previously rejected by an
overwhelming majority. The Governor. who has
| not yet returned 10 Albany has far declined
to indicate whether he will give the Legislature.
that is the Senate (the Assembly passed the billa
| unanimously. another chance in gas.
Considerable interest has been created in the
| last week owing to the fact that no less than
/ eleven gas. electric lighting and power COM
| in some instances and more restricted in others
| have been Incorporated Obviously this activity
| is the result of an effort 10 escape the restric-
| tions which the bill creating State commission
| to regulate public service corporations. would
7 impose If Governor Higgins signs II. for under
! the terms Of this bill new corporations must
/ have a certificate Of authority from the commits
! sion analogous TO the certificate OF public neces-
/ sity and convenience issued by the Railroad
/ Commission before they can begin operation.
| and the commission has the power To withhold
| this If it choose. The companies already incor-
porated will escape the regulation; hence this
rush.