The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-04
THE MINORITY GAS REPORT.
They Dissent Prom the Recomme ndAtiOns
for . state Commission.

They Dissent Prom the Recommendation
for . state Commission.
ALBANY, May S.-The minority report,
submitted by Senator Grady and Assem-
blyman Palmer to-day from the Stevens
investigating committee, reads:
The undersigned, a minority OF the Joint
committee Of the Senate and Assembly APP
pointed pursuant to joint resolution adopted
March Ie, 1905. for the purpose OF investi-
eating and examining into the lighting stua-
tlon In the city Of New York, do hereby re-
gpectfuly report that We dissent most partlcu-
lrly from the specific recommenda tons
reported by such majority. and from the bill
submitted, In accordance therewith, for the
with powers now vested in the Legislature
and providing for procedure which, whether
Intended In that direction, could easily be
employed for the blaokmal OF the corporations
effected OF their subOrdinauon TO the politi-
cal demands Of a majority OF such commits
We take exception TO what we must regard
a. IA want OF fairness on the part OF the ma
iority Of the committee in dealing with the
municipal lighting OF the city OF New York,
II it was deemed necessary 20 state that tho
Mayor had dsapproved the action Of the
Commissioner in signing the contracts for
1905 Justice required that the reference be
accompanied by the statement of the Mayor
that he had entirely satisfied himself that ell
that Commissioner Oakley had done in that
connection was entirely In good faith and the
Comptroller Of the City Of New York had
testified that while the contracts thus signed
yet IL must be said In that behalf that they
we're the best contracts for public lighting
that the city had ever made, both as TO the
supply Of gas and Of electricity.
We find no reference in tho report 20 the
fact that the committee Investigated sorre
OF tho contracts made with the consolidated
GEs Company by at least ore private cor
pnration. with n view 10 sacertatning neither
Fuch contracts were irtended as induce
n ert 70 or a rpwnrd for official favOrs and
political influence The testimony upon that
point thoroughly refutcd the charge made
that the gss companies we're being exploited
for profitable contracts In exchange for
political favoIs, and proved the utter base
leSsn ess ~ the oft repeated sensational state.
mart that there was q si5,OCo, 900 contract
In existence in connection with the Astoria
gas nlant and that il had been entered int
as the price OF political friendship and Official
protection.
We have attempted but have been unable
70 make such comparison as would Justify
a concurrence in or an intelligent criticism
Of tho figures srhmitted In connection with
the report OF the majority o. tho committee
and tie conclusions based upon and such
arrangements ard deductions from such
figures a. arc submitted. We have not been
able TO complete this work in the time which
i was possible for MS 10 devote TO its proseou-
ton, End IN emitting any other reference 10
the report NJ the majority Of tho committee
Va ere not TO h. understood a. acceptinE
or rejecting any statement thorein contained,
except Ne herein specifically referred TO.