New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-15
REPUBLICAN SENATORS PASS PAGE RESOLUTION.
5FTFR TEST YOTE KILLING AMENDMENT TAlflIANY
IrES 4RE FOR Gas INYESTIG4IION

ti-es there must be something rotten in Dem
mark.
Senator Cassidy occupied an hour in pas
sionate denunciation OF the attempt TO pass gas
legislation. He declared that property rights
were too sacred to be played politics with
He cited the veto by Governor Odeil of the
Niagara grab bill of last session one OF the
causes Of the lack OF competition for New
York lighting.
Next Senator Coggeshan attacked the reso-
luton, and there was sharp interchange of
personalities between him and Senator Bracket
There was further debate. Senator Malby
making earnest plea for the resolution. and
then the CoggeshaIl amendment offered
Senator Raines urged the defeat OF this, point
ing out that the legislature would naturally
adjourn in four weeks, and that this amend
ment making the investigation one for the
whole State instead OF for New-York. would
make report or the committee before adjourn
ment impossible. Then came the rollcall and
defeat of the amendment by the vote of % to
-. During this rollcan the excitement was APP
parent. At its close IL clear that the gas
interests beaten. and the scramble to get
on board began. when the rollcall on the main
resolution began
BATTLE TRANSFERRED TO ASSEMBLY
While the passage of the resolution to-day
future proceedings still somewhat doubtful
The resolution will be handed down in the AS
semby by Speaker Nixon tomorrow morning.
1t viii be referreik1o the Ways and Means Com
mttee and could be reported at the meeting of
that committee tomorrow afternoon But this
situation now arises: An investigation would
be a long drawn out affair and the legislature
would be forced to stay mere at least until May
to receive the report and pass recommended
la~rfe
enough votes TO pass such legislation. then there
is reason to believe that the gas corporations
win find compromise wiser than further contest
and on their own initiative propose reduction
to 80 or even an 80 cent basis Such pro-
posal would probably end the fight. In other
words the object of the fight has been to reduce
the price of gas in New York City. That reduc-
zion accomplished. the end will have been al
tanned, and it is distinctly matter for the gas
corporations TO say how the end shall be at
tanned.
son TO believe that the Assembly will hardly be
precipitate in acting on the resolution and q
few days of grace may be left 70 the defendant
corporations. But delay in the Senate i'm
perilled the whole gas fight, and no such delay
viii be permitted in the Assembly. The present
week is fairly certain TO see some definite steps
toward settlement investigation and the date
OF adjournment will be largely Influenced by
this circumstance. IF there IS an investigation
committed, Senator Elsberg Will probably be
chairman.
The close of the first stage of the gas war
icSlNCS lHc IcGlSlAluTe WIN Ine general cOilEtC-
ton that the Governors firm and unyieldin: at
htude saved the day, for even at the session
last night there were enough votes TO beat the
resolution, and the change of front did not come
until the wee small hours of the morning
The first evidence OF the effect OF the passage
Of the Page resolution was the arrival tonight
Of Charles F. MathewsOn. who has represented,
the Consolidated Gas at the various hearings
Mr. Mathewson arrived at 10 o'clock and soon
was busily engaged in a conference with Sena-
tor Aids He paused long enough in his con-
ference to say that he had no information on
the probable action of the gas corporation
WIN they accept SO-csnt gas without ightr'
he asked
'-Eighty-cent gas is murderous." he said.
sadly.
He exchanged greetings with Senator afalby
Il am here, with my coat or" said he smil-
ingiF.
Going To give US some hgures?' inquired the
Senator
Figures. was the answer why. 50 many
that with tears in your eyes You viii intro
duce bill raising gas to 81 10"
Long after Mr. Mathewson arrived there was
a grand rally in the lobby OF the Ten Fysk
Gene Wood. Senator McCarren Moe"
Dinkelspiel Senators Coggeshall, Gardner and
Cassidy and half dozen Assenblymen gath
cred IN groups and held earnest conferences
In their private conversation all present ex-
pressed the opinion that the Page resolution
would pass the Assembly.