New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-11
Gas HERE AND At ALBANY.

From the weller Of cross purposes, false pre-
fences, selfish machiIations and misinformatiOn
at Albany relating to gas legislation the fact
has emerged that Governor Higgins's determi-
nation 70 have some respectable action taken
under Republican auspices is gaining support.
There IS no longer any doubt as to the object
ct which, under instructions from headquarters,
Tammany members of the legislature are aim
ing. They want TO create the impression that
they are rallying TO the rescue Of the people
from the clutches Of a tyrannical monopoly
under the flag Of 20 cent gas BILL which they
are sure there IS no chance of putting through
and which as a matter Of fact, they would help
70 defeat if the necessity should arise. It is to
be hoped that none Of their political adver-
saries viii be guileless enough TO lend support
10 such scheme, though some of them may be
crafty enough to do so.
The plea for an 50 cent gas bill, or for some
compulsory reduction from the present price
doubtless commands honest and intelligent SUD-
pert in many quarters; but men must be pretty
sanguine in order 10 convince themselves that
such measure would put an end to the COM
llalnts of eXtortion witt which the atmosphere
OF me metropolis is filed. II is curious TO hear
consumers declaring in one breath that their
h-iis are larger than they were years ago. when
me price Of gas was much higher than II is now
and that the right way to relieve them from
lheir burden is 10 reduce the price still further
II me accusations which they so confidently
brlhs against the company are well founded.
lAefe IS no reason 10 doubt that It's ingenuity
would enable il TO do the trick of lowering the
quality, raising the pressure and SO compeIIing
increased consumption of an inferior product.
we do not say that current accusations are inst
Fsihaps they are gross exaggerations. This is
Feilod OF Tree expenditure and If is nv NO
means improbable that majority of those who
nave bitter sense Of being cheated raouiro
more hght than they did in former wears ord
Mohid nave bigger bills to pay than thev rsod
20 nave II there had been no change 81 49,
or qualliy and meters were above sDgnioto.,
me Iact remains, nevertheless. that firm he
iie1 almost universally prevails that tho 49,
FaH9 does MOI deal honestly with its customers
u our part as we have said before we should
'a'ilA Tie lhcessant denunciation to which the
company Is subject would be DISTRESSING 10 +Io
responsible officers of the companv ,,bo att
us policy and that, if they know themselves -
pe uIJusly accused, they would not merely vol
come, but demand, rigorous scrutiny 90 .hot.
management 4N'i
his brings us 10 a consideration Of tho pooe
BIZ, which, after stormy debate at what en-
describe as a caucus and others as a confaro,aC
OF Republican Senators, has been renorted nv N,
Finance Committee. The bill orders an investi
CATION Of gas and electric lighting in this c,tv
and that is what the situation and the STATE ~
public feeling call for-proyided II Is indis
putabie that an investigating committee comic
De SO constituted - To command public canf