Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-27
TO WITHDRAW ITS BID
Latest Phase of Philadelphia
Gas Lease Middle.
COMPANY'S STATEMENT
THINKS COMMUNITY OPPOSED TO
CONTRACT EXTENSION.
Is Unwilling to Accept Ordinance
Passed or Enter Into Any
Deal Whatever.
COMPANY'S STATEMENT

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, May 2l.-"Organ-
ization' leaders are responsible for the
statement that the United Gas Improve
ment Company has withdrawn It's offer to
advance the city S25,000.0o0 in consideration
of an extension of the lease of the city
gas works This no doubt. is the outcome
of the conference between Messrs. Durham.
Seger, McNichol and President Dolan of
the United Gas Company early today.
At , o'clock this afternoon President
Dolan sent letter to President RanSley of
select council and President McCurdy of
common council, in which he said that the
United Gas Improvement Company would
withdraw its bid. Mr.. Dolan said:
The manner in which the whole subject
has been treated induces the United Gas
Improvement Company to believe that the
community is opposed to any extension OF
the gas lease upon any terms.
This being so, this company is unwilling
to accept the ordinance which has been
passed, or to enter into any contract what
ever with the city looking to any variation
of the terms of the present lease.
The United Gas Improvement Company
Gil that, for the reasons stated above.
should the pending ordinance become a law
1T will not be accepted by 1t.
Hearing Deferred by Funeral.
Out of respect to the memory of the late
Justice Dean of the state supreme court,
whose funeral takes place on Monday, COM
mon pleas court will not hear the argument
on the preliminary injunction granted by
Judge Ralston against the removal of Di-
rectors Smyth and Costello until Wednes-
day, May 81.
Joseph c. Auerbach of New York. who has
been engaged as special counsel for the
committee of seventy to fight the gas lease,
called on Mayor Weaver today. Mr. Auer-
bach said that he would issue a statement
later in the day.
Both Sides Working Hard.
PHILADELPHIA. Pa. May 27.-Mayor
Weaver and the republican organization
leaders are exerting all their efforts the
former to gain control of councils and the
latter to prevent a sufficient number of de-
fections from the organization" ranks to
sustain the mayors veto of the gas lease
resolutions.
ganzation' over the lease of the city gas
works it was not anticipated by any OF
those concerned in the fight that 1t would
extend beyond the confines of the city. De-
velopments during the past two days how
ever indicate that the entire state organ
ization is likely to become involved.
Since Thursday leaders from various
other counties have been coming here seek
ing information, and it is reported today
that cali has been secretly issued from
headquarters for a conference at Atlantic
City. n. j. 1t is rumored that state and
city leaders have been invited to attend the
conference.
Mayor Weaver was today assured of the
support of an additional select councilman,
making eleven in that body who are said
to be pledged to him. The latest deserter
from the ranks of those favoring the lease
is George b. Edwards. select. councilman
from the twenty-second ward, which en-
braces the suburb of Germantown.
AS divided up today council stands as fol-
lows on the gas lease proposition:
Originally voting against the lease-Se-
lect 4; common. o; total. -.
Recruits gained against the lease-Select,
. common. IS: total. %.
Votes needed to sustain the mayors veto
Select. II; common, "a.