New-York tribune., 1906-11-15
ROGERS FAVORS CITY.
WILL REFORM SERVICE.
Lauterbach Bess Nets to Halt
Staten Island Lighting Plant.

Edward Lauterbach. speaking for Henry II.
Rogers yesterday at the Controllers office made
it clear that Mr., Rogers does not wish to see
the city embark in the experiment Of munich
pal ownership OF a lighting plant on Staten lei
and. where Mr.. Rogers controls the lighting
company and the surface railway system
Mr. Lauterbach also said that Mr.. Rogers
was anxious 70 give Staten Island the best pos
sibe service, an attitude very different to that
which he assumed when The Tribune first>point-
ed out the intolerabie conditions in the borough
He added that Mr.. Rogers did not want the city
of New York 10 incur a heavy expense by going
into municipal ownership plant for lighting
Staten Island, and that he was authorized 70
say that Mr. Rogers wished TO do all I'm his
power to aid the Richmond people 10 get light
and better trolley service. that he would i'm
prove the plant OF the Richmond Light and
Power Company by the expenditure of at least
$4,000
c. F. Lacombe. OF the Department Of Water
Supply. Gas and Electricity, who has made
searching Investigations of the light and power
service on the island, made a report on his en-
tire findings there. He began by saying that
the plant of the Rogers company was old and
Inadequate. He has made such reports several
times, and his reports, together with personal
observations and Investigations made by Con-
WINGED the latter OF the necessity for a munich
pal plant on Staten Island site has been
bought for II already
Mr.. Lauterbach interrupted Mr.. Lacombe be-
fore he got very far. He said that it would not
be long before a new contract would have to be
advertised and that Mr.. Rogers very anx-
Ious TO do what he could 10 furnish better light
Ing and service for the islanders. He ad-
mitted that complaints of not complying with
public demands were justified. but he said the
company would be willing 70 meet the city in
furnishing better service.
Controller Metz said that unless certain pro-
visions were inserted the company would not
get a new contract. He said he wanted a con-
tract that would mean something one under
which the company could be penalized.
Mr.. Lauterbach said he was willing 10 accept
such a contract. and that he could speak for Mr..
Rogers.
Controller Metz asked how the company could
run many new cars If its capacity was only 10
he increased by about 90 per cent. He asked
Mr.. Lacorbe II that would he sufficient. Mr.
Lacombe said:
7 don't think It will be anything like enough.
They'll need great deal more than that"
Mr. Lauterbach proposed that Mr. Lacornbe go
over the report of the conpany's engineer and
said that anything suggested would be cheer
fully agreed 70 by Mr.. Rogers.
Mr.. Lauterbach then declared that the city
owed Mr.. Rogers $4,000. which he could not
get.
What stands in the way Of him getting it?'
inquired Controlle- Metz.
Inclination not TO pay, I suppose" retorted
Mr Lauterbach-
Whatever New York City owes it's willing
10 pay, if It's just" replied H-. Metz
Controller Metz then suggested that the COM
pany have someone talk over the matter Of
claims with him. He said:
Why don't you send someone up here bout
il? Suppose we meet and see what can do.
Why shouldn't ~ per cent OF the money be paid
and then let as get together and see whether
actually owe any NOR than that or if your
claims just
Mr.. LaUteTbach said that would be a good
thing to do and he would advise it, L would
like il understood" said Mr.. LaUterbaCh. that
Mr. Rogers doesn't wish 20 he hard on the city
expense OF putting up a plant on the island.
but would like TO have the people there get the
very best possible service in light and cars.
Controller Metz said that the city did not intend
to cease going ahead with the municipal own
ership plant and that the company would have
70 do its level best - increase the power of its
plant. MI Rogers would be willing, Mr. Laut-
erbach said. to spend some Of the $4,000 on
the plant if the city should pay half the money
il owed him.