New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-15
Y Y. GAS REPORT SOON.
cgEDDEN DEFENDS BO4RD
Commissioner Says Investigations
Here 4re Not Orer.
IRy Telegraph to The Tribune. !

Albany, Feb. 1.-THE State Gas and Flee
.-,csl Commission through ex-Judge Iucien 7.
chessen replied to-day TO the criticisms on it's
-.,ort and TO the Stevens bill designed to Iegis
lste il out OF existence He said that no recon-
ru,ndation as TO the price OF gas in New-York
r,y had been intended in the report on which
senator stevens based his action. and that the
commissions evidence at this time was not
complete enough TO justify any report
A second report, embodying its decision in
-sesrd 10 the reduction Of the price of gas in
Nsw-York City will come from the commission
non. il is expected. and stories are floating
.-ound here that it viii order sliding scale of
,ron s. 10 IS cents, or even fat rate of IS
os,ts 10 confirmation can be obtained. Mean
,lme. the prospect for the passage Of the so cent
Nil in both houses seems good. In the Assem-
nix where there is no objection, the bill as
amended on Monday night by Mr.. Agnew proba-
by will be on the calendar Tomorrow When
!, makes SIS appearance it viii be passed.
The senste Committee on Miscellaneous Cor
variations whose chairman is Senator Goodsell
viii give a hearing the Page bill tomorrow,
N oblge Ny. Mathewson. the gas lawyer. After
that the bin may be reported. or It may not
tbere is no choice as 10 either end Of the argu-
reni Il Il should be reported. it's friends think
II viii be passed by a narrow margin. They
feel more confident than they did last year. be-
cause OF the firm stand the Assembly has taken
and the Governors attitude and the action of
Senator Stevens. all Of which have created senti-
rnent in favor Of the measure.
Fx-Judge Shedden called on Governor Higgins
To-day 10 talk over the gas situation. After his
visit. the Governor said that Judge Shedden re-
GREETED that Senator Stevens was not more
famillar with the provisions of the law his COM
rnittee had --amed." Later Mr.. Shedden made a
statement explaining the gas commissions at
utude n which he said:
Upon the organization OF the commission 1t
was Immediately confronted with complaints
against The gas companies in New York. de-
rnan6ing an investigation as 10 the price OF gas.
An investigation was begun November 80 on
January !, under the provision of the law.
report TO the legislature was prepared, covering
The labors Of the commission UP 10 that date.
The commission IS criticised for not recon-
mendinC in that report an so cent price for gas
IN New York City, or at least for not express
ing 10 the legislature its intention in reference
thereto The commission studiously avoided
such a recommendation, as we deemed 1t highly
improper 10 90 SO
The law creating the commission provides that
Il shall investigate complaints as TO the price OF
gas. that a hearing shall be had thereon; that
upon such hearing the company shall be heard
IN its defence, and provides that the company
can appear by counsel II means that both
sides shall be heard and that upon the evidence
& decision is TO be made. The commission could
not consolidate the hearings against all the
companies in greater New-York and hear them
al the same time.
We say that il was improper for the coInnls-
sion sitting as a tribunal, 10 hear and declde
this important matter IN a fair and impartial
manner, with the interest Of the consumer, the
investor and the company involved 10 make A
public announcement Of its decision in advance
az the closing Of the evidence and the argu-
ment OF the case. Our decision would not staho
3 minute had such a course been taken. A
1udce upon the bench would be impeached, and
Justly so, II he should PREJUDICE the case.
What confidence could be placed in the decision
of commission so acting? The law does not
rroyide that the commission shall report TO the
legislature its recommendations as TO prices II
provides that the price shall be fixed by an
or5e- 10 be made by the commission.