New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-14
THE GAS COMMISSION.

The first report OF the State Gas Commission
is not, indeed, q world shaking document SEN
ator Stevens, who knows gas as an expert, may
find little in it's tables which be did not know
before, and the general public may be disap-
pointed that nothing definite has yet been done
in the direction of lowering gas bills, which is
the only part Of the commissions work in which
the public takes any interest 1t may be that
the establishment of the commission was Ill
advised. For our part, we believe that there are
too many commissions in the state and that the
habit OF creating a commission every time
some new work needs to be done or some old
work needs TO be better done is mischieyous.
Nevertheless, It is not wise for the legislature
in q 1T of Mysteries 10 undo what with delibera-
ton 1t did only a few months ago.
Give the Gas Commission a fair chance. 1t
may have serious shortcomings, but its doings
have also been much misrepresented, and. be-
fore the people make up their minds or the leg
islature attempts 10 devise new system Of adj
mlnistration, il should have its day in court.
Certain persons for political and others for
business reasons are anxious to discredit the
commission, and the Republicans should not
weakly and without knowledge assume that the
commission is failure just because those who
want 1t to fail say 1t is loudly and frequently.
The first decision Of the commission, one respect
ing Auburn, was proclaimed by its enemies to
be a betrayal or the consumers. 1t was sdlu I'D
have raised the price of gas, and much stern
moralizing followed The fact was that for the
greater part OF the city it materially lowered
the price though in a small section, where
ruinous gas war had been raging, a lower price
had for time prevailed. The war had ended
and the companies had consolidated. The COM
mission could not prevent this. 1t could only
limit as it did, the amount of new securities
and prescribe for the whole city a fair price,
which was for the majority of the consumers a
reduction much more than cOunterbalancing the
loss Of the cut rate which a few had enjoyed,
but which even they could no longer hope TO
retain.
The membership Of the Gas Commission was
not filled until July 20 last. 1t held its first
hearing on August s. but it was not Until the
middle of September that II bad looked over the
ground and organized a staff for permanent
work. Complaint is made that 1T has not recon-
mended reduction Of prices in New-York City.
Has it occurred TO the critics that it is still
giving hearings on that subject? Yesterday 1t
sat in Brooklyn and took testimony an appli-
cation TO lower the price in that borough. Pos
sibly it might have been more expeditions iD its
work. but when it is still taking testimony with
respect TO the metropolitan companies it can
hardly, lynch law fashion, announce a finding
just for the sake Of making its report interesting
and then try the issues afterward.
Let the critics be reasonable about this matter.
The commission may prove failure, but no
adequate basis for judgment on that point is
yet before the public. Any sudden and incon-
siderate repeal of the law passed last year after
careful study before its usefulness had been
fairly put to the test would suggest a harmful
lack of seriousness and continuity OF purpose
IN the part Of the lawmakers