New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-11
GAS RIVAL LOOKED FOR
Long Acre Co. to Apply to p. s.
Commission for Foothold an City.

1t seems not improbable that the Consolidated
Gas Company will soon have rival In the field.
1t is understood that the Long Acre Electric Light
and Power Company intends applying to the Pub
lie Service Commission for the First District for
permission to begin the manufacture and distribu-
ton of gas.
Should the company receive the consent of the
commission upon making application il is under
stood that 1t will begin the manufacture or
gas. Gas engineers express themselves as confident
that the Long Acre company if it enters into com
petition with the Consolidated Gas Company Will
sell gas at lower rate than that charged at
present. In case OF rate the price Of gas
may be reduced to 30 70 cents instead of 81
When the fight is over and side or the other
is vanquished the price of gas will again soar,
but 1t is probable that the people of the city will
eventually be the gamers. the Public Service
Commission will have the power 10 force the win
ming company to sell gas at a fair price
Although the Long Acre company has franchises
permitting il to manufacture and distribute both
gas electricity. il cannot engage in the manu-
facture and distribution of gas before obtaining the
consent of the Public Service Commission, pro-
vided in Section 6S OF the public service law which
says;
''No gas or electrical corporation Incorporated
under the laws of this any other state shall
begin construction or exercise any right prvi-
lege under any franchise heretofore granted. but
not heretofore actually exercised. without first
having obtained the consent and permission of the
proper commission. II the certificate of authority
Is refused. further proceedings shall re taken
before the commission. but applica dion may
be made therefor after one year from the date OF
such refusal"
Since the Long Acre company has not actually
exercised It's right before to manufacture and dis
tribute X evidently under this provision
OF the bill. Under the old gas and electric com
mission law the company could have proceeded to
manufacture gas when it willed without making
application.
The commissioners wcrc much annoyed over the
publication OF reports and alleged interviews pur-
PORTING 60 show that the commission intended 10
pun tho marlborough Metropolitan corporation out
of business
Il never made any statement to that effect"
heatediy exclaimed Commissioner EHstis. and
am tired OF answering foolish questions and deny
ing fool Uumors
Commissioner Bassett said that neither the COM
mission nor tho commissioners individually, had
considered fighting the Interborough- Metropolitan
combination The affair Is still in courts he
said Those questions which strictly under
our jurisdiction will occupy much Of our time.
particularly at frst that do think will TRY
diction."
Commissioner Wilcox WAS at The morning meet
Ing. but later left for his country homo. lie Will
return to the city this morning Both he and Com
missioner Eustis complained about the number of
FOOL suppostitious questions they We're called
to answer WHY. had To get out % bed at II %
o'clock last night said Nj. Eustia to answer
one of those fool questions"
Mr.. Bassstt said that the committee appointed
10 report on the bridge crush had arranged for
conference with Mr.. Stevenson. the Bridge Com
missioner. at the latter's Offices this afternoon
Tho appointment Of counsel is giving the COM
misston"rs increased worry Yesterday they vera
little nearer solution than ct the first os tho pre-
CodinE week Chairman WILCOX emplatlCaliy de-
MED that Mr.. Ellison, former Corporation Counsel.
was being considered. We certainly don't want II
begin by antaRonizug tho Mayor he said
The question OF whether the public service bill
would prevent railroads giving lower rates for OK
cursion parties discussed Yesterday. Some
lawyers hold that a literal Interpretation OF Sec
ton 81 OF the public law would forbid rail
roads from granting special rates clubs or8anI-
zations. Sunday schools and forth Section Fl
says:
NO common carrier shall directly or Indirectly
by any special rate. rebate. drawback or other de-
vice method demand, collect receive from
any person corporation A greater less
pensation for any service rendered 20 he
dered in the transportation Of passengers, freight
property. except authorized IN this act, than
II shall demand, collect receive from any other
person or corporation for doing 4 like ContempOra-
neous service in tho TRANSFORMATION Of a like kind
Of trafT1c Under the similar circumst ances
and conditions"
Commissioner Bassett admitted that he had given
this section especial study but refused ~ say how
he interpreted H. That and similar questions will
have 20 be determined by counsel fer the commits
sion. which only illustrates tho necessity of prompt
" finding and appointing good man fnr that
place. nc remarked