Evening journal., 1905-06-02
GAS LEASE HAS
NOW BEEN BURIED
Philadelphia Councils With
draw the Ordinance by
Unanimous Vote
MAYOR WEAVER IL PROBE U, C, |.

Philadelphia, June 2.-Without a dis
senting vote both branches Of city
councils withdrew the ordinance au-
thorizing the extension of the lease of
the city gas works to the United Gas
Improvement company for a period OF
rs years.. for which privilege the COM
pany was to pay the city 5000, 600.
Select council also unanimously con-
firmed the appointments of Colonel
Sheldon Potter as director of public
safety and A. Lincoln Acker as direc-
tor Of public works. The galleries Of
the council chambers were packed to
suffocation with spectators, but there
was no disturbance and the action Of
the municipal legislators was received
in silence.
An unusual feature of the meeting Of
councils was the presence of Mayor
Weaver, accompanied by his attorney,
in room adjoining the upper branch
during the vote on his appointments.
He was prepared to appear before the
body If necessary, but was not called
upon to do so.
Another important move was madc
by common council when Alexander
De Haven, chairman Of the finance
committee, introduced a resolution fix
ing the tax rate for next year at $3.50
on 500, the present rate. The Repub-
lican organization leaders who advo-
Gated the gas lease extension claimed
that money was needed Immediately to
meet the expenses and asserted that II
the ordinance was defeated it would be
necessary to increase the tax rate.
Mayor Weaver, on the other hand,
contended that the existing rate was
sufficient.
Following the recall of the gas lease
resolutions the mayors secretary ap-
peared on the floor of the select cham
Der and presented the mayors commu-
nication referring to the removal OF
Director OF Public Safety David J.
Smyth and Director of Public Works
Peter E. Costello. and the appointment
Of their successors Colonel Sheldon
Potter and A. Lincoln Acker. The
mayor gave as his reason for removing
Directors Smyth and Costello "the
good Of the public service and the pro-
motion of more efficient administra-
tion Of the departments"
The mayor also transmitted to coun-
ellis vetoes OF four ordinances author
izing certain improvements, on the
ground that the increased expense
to the city would be illegal unless tho
question is first submitted to the vote
of the people.
II is said this was the first time in
years that the organization" whip
was not heard in councils. No orders
we're out and members spoke and voted
as their conscience directed.
Later Mayor Weaver sent a letter to
City Controller John NJ. Walton ask
ing to be supplied with copies of the
yearly statements Of the United Gas
Improvement company and the amounts
alleged" 10 have been spent by the
company for Improvements. He asks
also the amounts due with interest at
the end Of the year 1907 for the prop
critics belonging to the company. His
purpose, he states, is to secure as near
as possible a statement from which an
estimate can be made Of the amounts
that will be due and owing from the
city to the United Gas Improvement
company should the option to retake
the gas works be exercised by the city.
II am also desirous, before any fur,
ther time should elapse." the letter
continues. Ito have a complete inves-
tisation made as TO the correctness
and lawfulness Of the amounts alleged
by the United Gas Improvement com
pany in its statements to have been
expended and for which Il will seek
TO charge the city, should the latter
exercise its option to retake the gas
works"