New-York tribune., 1905-05-25
LAST ARGUMENTS On GAS
BROOKLYN NAY GO DARK.
Impossible to Fill Pressure Require
ments an That City.
tBv TELEGRAPH TO THE rRiBuxE.l ]


fore Governor Higgins occurred to-day Coinci-
dent with the appearance in opposition of the
gas attorneys and the representatives of the
Citizens Union. the Municipal Ownership
League and the Village President OF Potsdam,
Senator McCarren and Senator Gardiner, OF
Brooklyn, and Senator Coggeshall of Oneida.
N of whom took more or less part in the de-
feat OF the SO cent gas BILL came TO town All
insisted that they knew nothing about even the
mere plan for hearing.
The corporation attorneys attacked the 75
cent city consumption bill and the measure ere
ating state commission. The Citizens Unions
representatives Joined with them only in the
attack the Commission bill Senator Stevens
and Assemblyman Merritt Of the legislative
committee listened to the argument but took
no part in it.
Dire catastrophe and dense darkness was pict-
ured by William N Dykman, representing the
Brooklyn Union Gas Company. in the event that
the pressure provision Of the price bill became
law. After having told how the light Will be
Quenched automatically in the larger part OF
Brooklyn by the attempt of the corporation to
fulfil the pressure requirement, Mr.. Dykman
achieved a contrast by reading a letter which,
he declared. had been sent him without solicfta-
ton. declaring that If the bill passed Brooklyn
would become living volcano"
We can stand the loss Of money" Mr Dyk-
man declared, after presenting figures TO show
that produce gas cost the companies 7S.6
cents thousand cubic feet But this pressure
provision. this is impossible; ii IS say, entirely
impossible. If your exceency signs this bill at
the extremities Of Brooklyn there will be not
flicker Of light II is a danger that threatens
every consumer" Mr.. Dykman protested less
bitterly against the price provision indicating
that his pany believed that the loss to the
nd +ba
would he little more than $4,000 at most. and
possibly not more than $1,000 He maintained.
however. that the courts would hold the bill
constitutional. since IL imposed too low a price
to permit fair profit
Charles F. Mathewson. representing the Con-
soidated Gas Company rather sharply criticised
the work Of he Stevens committee and declared
that il had attempted 10 do in four days what had
taken a Massachusetts commission four months
10 accomplish and that the results were there
lore inaccurate. He submitted mass of figures
showing that the total value of the Consolidated
Gas Companys plant and property including
franchises. now amounted to about $4S,oO0000:
that =! cent gas bill would have reduced their
net receipts for last year So 100000 and enabled
them 10 earn but 212 per cent their invest
meut. He joined in protest against the press
ure requirement and read letter from President
Humphreys of Stevens Institute declaring that
the law impossible OF enforcement. even if
enacted. so far as New-York City was concerned.
Thomas 0. Horton. Of Richmond, opposed the
measure on behalf of a local company.
The Citizens Unions opposition to the State
Commission bill was voiced by Julius Henry
Cohen. who argued that the bill was an in
fringement of home rule; that it put the regu-
lation Of gas out Of the reach OF the people.
since it lodged il IN a body not directly respon-
sible 10 the voters of New-York City. He de-
clared that the same defects that the Union
urged against the State Railroad Commission
will be reproduced. He opposed the section
which grants TO the commission the right to
pass plans OF cities for municipal works. and
finally he dwelt the evils that might arise
from the lodging of such vast powers in the
hands Of q corrupt politically controlled
mission.
I'VE can afford to wait for cheaper gas in
New-York City" said he. rather than pay so
high price for it in the shape of this bill now.
He pointed out that the provision which allows
the 10 be fixed, only once in three years
might be used by the gas corporations, which
could get enough petitioners TO have price
fixed and then it would have TO stand for five
wears
Thomas Gfleran and William A. De Ford OPP
posed the bill for the Municipal Ownership
League The latter made some severe strc-
lures the legislature for the defeat of the 50
cent bill. ana propounded the following conun-
drum: If il took the gas lobby but four days To
get control Of the votes Of twenty-four Senators
how long would il take them to get control of a
commission Of three members?"
Mr. De Ford asked for an extra session TO con-
slider gas and also to investigate the means by
which the Stp-cent bill defeated
The president Of the village of POtsdam Ohe
home town Of Assemblyman Merritt the author
q the bid appeared in opposition 10 the meas
Ure, declaring that he believed it was measure
aimed 10 prevent the people of Potsdam from
carrying out their plans for municipal plant,
which were opposed by a power company in
which Mr.. Merritt is interested. He told. the
Governor that his people regarded the measure
as drawn for this purpose particularly and that
the voters of PotSdam would hold the Governor
politically responsible for his action on this
measure. There is a local fight against Merritt
ia the county and this preteXt is being used to
prevent his denomination
Al the close Of the hearing Governor Higgins
talked with Assemblyman Merritt and Senat tor
Stevens both of whom favor renewal of the
fight on the S0-cent bill the extra session, but
the Governor said subsequently that nothlng
that might be said to him by any legislator
would affect his decision in the matter of an
extra session.
Does that mean that it is all up TO Justice
Eooker?" he asked
IT'S all up TO Justice Hooker and me, that's
what il means he answered, with smile