The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-10
NO CHEAP GAS FOR THIS CITY.
THE REPUBLTCANS DECIDE TO
DEFEAT THE 10 CENT BTLL.
senate Finance Committee Decides TO Re-
port the Page Resolution Providing for
Special Legislative Investigation or
the Lighting situation In This city.


ALBANY March 9.-The Senate Finance
| Committee met this afternoon and con.
sidercd the resolution introduced by Sena-
tor Page at tho instance of enjamin b
Odell Jr., and William X. Hearst. pro-
viding for a special legislative investigation
Of the New York city lighting situation.
The committee was in session fifteen minutes
only when it was announced that 1t had
been decided by party vote 10 report
the Page resolution. amended so as to pro-
vide that the committee shall report the
result Of its Investigation 10 the Legislature
as soon "a possible with such remedial
legislation as it may deem proper. This
resolution is concurrent one and must
pass both houses. MS il makes an approprin-
ton Of $4,000 for the expenses Of the In
yesiigation.
The committee. according 10 the reso-
luton, is TO consist of three Senators and
four A-semblymen. to be appointed by the
presiding officers in each house respectively,
and it is to examine into the reasonable
ness Of the gas and electric light charges in
New ork city, the cost OF production and
the amount Of capital actually employed.
he committee ~ also authorized to IN
quire into the conditions surrounding the
execution Of the New York city light CON
tracts for last year. ii IL authorized to
employ counsel and Is empowered TO en-
force the attendance Of witnesses and the
production OF books and papers and to
administer oaths.
This resolution will be reported 70 the
Senate tomorrow and tabled for con-
slderation next Tuesday morning 1t is
the general opinion that the resolution
has not the slightest chance of passage
and that 1T will be defeated when II comes
up for consideration on Tuesday.
After the Page resolution has been dis
posed, of 1t has been agreed that the Senate
shall consider in general orders the Tam
many 70-oent gas bill, introduced by
senator Fitzgerald who represents big !
Tim" Sullivan's district. The Republi- |
can Senators are going TO defeat this bill /
Then the Tammany Senators are going
TO oppose any gas reduction bill whether
me price Is 80 cents or 30 cents, which may
be propose ed by Mr. Odells legislative |
This means that there will
>e fourteen Democratic votes against IA
cheap gas bill for New York city. and there
ire sixteen Of the thirty-six Republican
senators VINO are opposed to cheap gas
'ill. a gas investigation, or any action OF
my KIND touching the New York city light
ne situation.
The reasons which actuate these sixteen
republican Senators are many and varied
,ome Of the Senators are opposed TO MIR
)del and his legislative triumvfate be-
luae they ara more favorable TO Senator
'latt Others are opposed because of Mr..
,delIs desertion Of Frank S. Black for
nlted states Senator while others firmly
elieve that Mr.. Odell and HIS legislative
-uinvirate are simply engaged in a hold-up
anne upon the big gas companies Of New
ork CITY. and they refuse to becc me a
arty % any such attempt al a shake down. /