The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-25
GAS QUIZ IS TAKING SHAPE.
COUNSEL HUGHES OUTLINES HIS
VIEWS or THE INQUIRY.

He's Not ProyTrust Nor Antitrust, and
His Only Client n the PeOpie-Grout
Oneru Aid-steVons BayI He'd BE
Glad - USe ne Aldermanie Chamber.
The Eas Investigators and their counsel,
Charles T. Hughes, got busy yestefoAy'
For the first time since the committee
was appointed by the Legislature ct Albany
the scope Of the inquiry began to take
dehnato shape, and II really looked as
though there was something doing
Apparently Mr.. Hughes IL in deadly
earnest. He seemed to be satisfied that the
Investigation was not ordered for political
purposes and that the committee would
never consent to be used 70 square the
personal grievances Of any man OF set OF
men In public or private life.
when I consented to act a. counsel In
this Investigation he said, 't was with
the distinct understanding that could
not be called OF at any stage by any po-
htical boss OF organization leader. That
was the bargain made with the COM
mitte0 when the matter was preached to
me and mean to stick by IL. The inves-
tigation will be strictly non-partisan, and
wherever 1t leads We win follow.
Il recognize but one client In this cas-
the people. am not antitrust in the sense
that 60 around making q continual pro-
fession Of hostility TO the great corporations.
But am not for them either In the sense that
/ would defend their conduct Il did not
believe that they were acting fairly and
squarely under the law. In a word, do not
believe In attacking capital as such: neither
do believe in defending II as such.
As q lawyer nsver was connected
with the lighting companies in any way
have neither represented nor opposed
them. The nearest ever came to it was
when my former law partner, Paul D. era
vath, was attorney for George Westing-
house, president Of the United States LEO
trio Light Company, In some litigation Il had
concerning the installation Of overhead
wireR. Our firm was then Carter, Hughes
4 Cravath, and technically we repreSen
the United States company in the litigation.
As q matter Of fact, Mr., CTavath did nearly
all the work, although helped him little
on the details. All this occurred about
fifteen years ago. Since then the United
States company has become a part Of the
so-called trust. Mr.. Crayath took Mr..
Nesting house's business whom he left our
firm. This was the extent Of my connection
with the lgh ting corporations Of the city.
Accompanied by Senator Page, q mem-
bar Of the committee, Mr. Hughes visited
Comptroller Circuit IN his ofiice yesterday
AZ soon e Mr.. Grout beard Of Mr.. Hughes
appointment be offered to give him all
the information IN possession OF the Finance
DepaTtent bearing on the lighting aitua-
ton. In the course OF the conference Mr.
circuit gave Mr. Hughes the names OF several
experts who, he said, would undoubtedly
be able to give the committee data which
would enable them to find out tho exact
cost Of the production Of gas and electric
Mr.. Grout also presented to the COM
nittee copy OF ne testimony s tass sar ~
subject. Afterward Mr.. Hughes and Sena-
Dor Page spent some time in the bureau OF
franchises looking into the contracts which
the electric light and gas companies had
formerly made with the city.
Senator Stevens, the chairman Of the
COMMITTEES, called on Mayor Mcclellan
yesterday and talked with him about the
quarters In which the public sessions VIII
be held. Although not Of the same political
iSth seaSSr stexsnf T. sg Tt SG IN tSs
Aldermen's chamber by Mr.. Mcclellan
be said be would accept II for the sessions
Of the committee and that adtournments
would be taken over those days on which
ing day for the Aldermen Ia Tuesday.
No subppnas were sent out yesterday for
witnesses and the actual date for the begin
ming OF the examination was not set. Sen
ator Stevens said that the committee hoped
to get down to business on Tuesday, but as
there was q vast amount Of preliminary
work to be done be was not sure that the
investigation could DO started then.
The matter Of selecting junior counsel
has been left largely In the hands Of Mr..
Hughes. The committee will in all proba-
bihty indorse any selection he makes. He
was besieged yesterday With applications
from young Republican lawyers who are
willing 20 lend their services TO the com
mittee and he has a dozen OF more names
under consideration.
PRIVATE LI0HT PLANT FoR HOSPITAL
DR.. John W. Brannan, chairman Of the
trustees OF Bellevue and allied hospitals,
reported TO the Board Of Estimate yesterday
that the New York Edison Company had suR-
gested that a public hearing be held before
the board Of trustees decided finally upon
constructing an electric plant for the new
Harlem hospital, but that he believed the
best interests Of the city would be conserved
II the private plant was built, The board