The evening world. Newspaper, February 24, 1903, Page 14

| Inspector of Meters Jastrow Alexander Will at Once Start an Investigation of Manner in Which the Public Is Held Up. stances of Outrages by Gas Combine. SAMPLE TALES OF GAS ROBBERY ‘TOLD BY THE TRUST’S VICTIMS. What can I do in a case of “hold-up” of this kind? MIOHABL SALTT. As matters stand now I will either have to move or elxe hove the Mutual Company again turn on the gas, and be robbed by it. A GAS TRUST SUFFERDR. I take pleasure in secing that your newspaper is after the gna thieves. © * * It looks a» if the whole thing, so far an the gas companies go, is a game of guess. JOSEPH LORIA. We are paying more for #5 than ever before and are using lens, JOHN P. COLE, I have been informed by the representative of a gas company that what we pny for is mostly alr forced through at high preasare, so that the hands on the dial of the meter show consumption that is not real. A READER, Our December bill was $4.80, which we considered to we dectied to be sore economical, We burned considerably te Pim January, but received a bill for $7.40, UNE OF THE COMB-O} wxtortion by the consolidated gas companies has aroused official action. power. He is a State official with an office at No. 1 Hanover square, and under his direction a corps of inspectors can be sent out at an hour's notice to make an inspection of every gas meter in the city. “My attention to the alleged overcharges by the gas compantes was first called through The Evening World,” said Mr. Alexander to-day. “If any person who believes that he has been overcharged by a gas company ends word to me I shall make immediate investigation. Official position was created for, and I have the power and means to make euch an investigation. WANTS TQ-HEAR COMPLAINTS. “Personally, of the consolidated companies.” Not only outrageous overcharges are the rule now in the office methods ate gas companies, but clerks ard officials continue the policy of insolence @isregard for patrons, as abundantly shown by the flood of complaining Ietters which come by every mail to The Evening World, Many of the letters also complain of the inferior quality of th nished, As it ly known to the officials of the Health Department thet Inne Tior gas in full of impurities, which are discharged into apartments when the flow is turned on, Health Commissioner Lederle is prepared to act. He ‘e to the pub- aid to-day that the impurities from inferlor gas were a menac: He health, and if a chemical aralysis of the gas now being furnished proved that it was below the standard he would be justified in taking prompt action Evidence of the wanton overcharges by the gas companies can be had @t every hand. Bills have trebled and even quadrupled In many instances of Victims of Extortion Write The Evening World, Telling New In-| The great public outburst against the unprecedented and systematic State Inspector of Meters Jastrow Alexander declared to-day that he gould at once institute an investigation and pursue it to the Hmit of his That is what my cannot be aware of extortions by gas companies matter 12 drawn to my attention. Then I am in a position to act. My see 4s always open to those who wish to make a complaint against any of the es a a PM aa IN aa tt ad BA aa THE WORLD: TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 1903.. SAVED BY PRIEST FROM EXECUTION James P. Sullivan, Bank Bur- glar, Who Was to Have Died in Chair To-Day, Reprieved at Midnight. HOPES TO PROVE AN ALIBI. Father Curry, of Thle City, Finds Fourteen Witn Who will ‘Swear that Sullivan Was Here on! Night Bank Watchman Was Killed | ‘The word of Father James Curry, pastor of St, James's Church, in James street, saved “Whitey Sullivan, one of the Cobleskill Bank gang from death to-day. On the priests's representation that he had evidence at hand that Sulli- van was in New York on the night of Nov. 26, 1900, when Mathew Wilson, town watchman of Cobleskill, was mur- |dored, following an attempt to rob a | bank in that place, Gov. Odell granted | ja reprieve of two weeks. If the alleged) allbl be establisned {t will result in a commutation of the sentence to be electrocuted. Locked away in the dungeon of Dannemora Prison waiting for 6 o' tok thia morning to come, when he expecied to go to the electric chair, Sullivan Knew naught of the fight Father Curry was making to save him. He did not know that the pastor of St, James's was stiting out the long houre of the night hoping against hope to find the Chief Executive, He did not know how this friend's heart was torn and how 4s the time wore on and midnight was passed Father Curry felt that defeat was to be his, One o'clock came—2, then 3, and at that hour from Albany flashed the tele-) gram answering his appeal: “Your appllcation for a reprieve for James P. Sullivan is granted. The Warden of Dannemora has been notified. ODELL,"” Hie Letter to Priest. Bullivan could not know those things, but he was grateful, and the Inst 2t- ter that he thought he would write on this earth was to Father Curry. It was received this morning, two hours after the time set for Bullivan's execu- tion. “ want to thank you, father, for all that you have done for me," tt read. “P am very grateful, but all you did for mq was of no use. I will go to the chair lke a brava man; I'll dle game. Good- by, Father Curry; I'l pray for you in Heaven,” “T hope to save Sullivan," said Father Curry to-day, ‘on evidence that will prove that he was in New York on the night that the erlme for which be ts under sentence of death was committed, Thore are fourteen witnesses, It's just a| man’s life that I am fighting for—not Sullivan, If ho ts innocent of the mur- der of the man whom, it {s claimed he killed, why, we should know It; he should have a chance for his life.” “Whitey” Sullivan, as he is known in. the under world, or James P, Sullivan, | as the death warrant reads, has been @ crook for a great many yei —_$<——— This is said to be a part of a scheme of the combine to get back the extra WRECK VICTIMS _ | Money spent for making gas when the price of coal was high. HOW BILLS ARE JUGGLED AND METERS DOCTORED) BURNED TO DEATH Flere are some communications that; hard should they notice thi, il ij i guest's Tmeswure ite ranve” of che | The Brenig World’ and, ate fetet te Four Mail Clerks Imprisoned in Bbuses to which consumers of gus are gubjected; sting you will do all in your powe ing this matter to a speedy tasie, Blazing Car in Cleveland Train r ' The Meter Was Crazy.” wid that these robbers of ‘the peopis| Collision Fought Flames Until { fo the Kaltor of The Evening World cine, 1am, very respectfullys Meal They Died Shave lately received gas bills entirely \ TRUST SUBPERER, ey Died. wut of proportion to former ones. When y Twiat His Bil, called the attention of the Kas com- of The Brouing, Wor: tbe to this fact they sent an official | re in secing that your | admitted, to use his own words, | § th ae, tlevegs Alle it TRAINMEN BADLY HURT. t “the meter was crazy.’ er were Over $2.50 The meter was taken out and another |? Was supplied by dn, but the bills were not changed. hen 1 called at the gas ollive they ‘told me thut the meer taken from my pince had been tested and found ail right; that they were not responsibie tor the words of thelr employees and unless the bilis were paid as rendered, whe wus would be turnce off at my pace, _ Kindly advise me what to uo in a game 0: “hold-up” of this kind? Youre very truly, MICHANL BALI. Juuwled the deters Here, where th + tWQ months my All the Kas I three Jets and a small heater, plained to the company |sent to investigate, ‘1 heard about it. Inst Iam positive we used more the period for which I paid $410 thin did for the month. it looks as if the whole thing, as far a! the gas companies go. Is a fame 0 Fo the Editor of Tus Kveuiny World: Buess, OSIPH LORI A. Thad been supplied with gas from Pays More, the Mutual Company for a number or eulng World: h to say that we are payin, than ever ong mor Yours truly, ears, and owing to & sudden very great Uaresse in thy gus tills, avout LW pet T made a complaint, wiiu the fe- that the company pur in « new bills were about the average t for # month or two and 1 was fectly satisfied, but not so with the company, for again my bill sud- Anor Very much, and upon mination of the meter 1 discovered the perfect had before, was entirely out of order, Was about the iimit, and 2 noti- tor & less. JOHN P, COLE. 238 West One Hundred and Twenty-ve ‘ond street, ial Saved Gas, but Bill Went Up. ‘Te the Editor of The Bvening World; Belng on» of the sufferers who 4 fleeced by the gas company, | appeal t you for advice. Our December ae was muoh, so we decided homical. We burned oonsiderubly change an outrage, igs itatat to the 1 moved to nue, Company furnishes the gas. dills were December's bill jumped to 5.90. | used was consumed by | T com: | and a man was | hat's all I ever | 1 got @ bill on the sth which was for $4.10—quite a drop, as during | that cost $5.60, but fore and ure using 480, which we considered £25 to be more eoo- ON in Januasy, but received a@ bil! This ammount la out Of all rommon anit CLEVELAND, 0., Feb, &—As the result of a head-on collision between a Wwest-bound passenger train and an east-bound freight train @ mile or two east of Berea, O., on the Big Four Rail- road last night, four mall clerks were burned to death and several trainmen were more or seriously hurt, The dead; Blackwell, W. H., head clerk, Cleve land, Kriesmann, F, W., Cleveland, ~, Cleveland, Walworth, L. W., Cleveland, the fourth victim, was not killed outright, but was so badly burned that he died within a short time. He was unable to make any statement and had life enough only to give his name, ‘Tne injured are: Ferguson, John, of freigat. Wish, William, Cleveland, engineer of passenger train, Coulter, Joe, express measenger, who was pinned between express matter in the car, was saved from burning to dowth by Uy passengers exUnguisning the flames that Were rapidly approach ing him. wo firemen, names not yet learned All the injured are in @ hospital n ft Cleveland, engineer io 4 teply a few days later that the moter Cleveland. Company and mate|had been inspected and found Tey | Tt is reported that no passengers were have thelr gas put in, pay-| was also notified to remit promptly or hurt. 0 A man the company would ta off ‘gas. The pesanser train was quite heavily “1 complained to the State Gad’ Meter | peopled, and many of, the v4 Inepector, but as course will take | Were school superintendents and teach- longer time than thowgaa company ¢rs on thelr way to Cincinnad to atte 2 mootng vf school directors and teaoh- rs e terdam Com- . © gas © n, com: | erg in that city. upply me with gas and palied 50 wait for the Paymneat of the | the ‘unfortunate mail clerks ware ‘oath . 1 without shutting off the supply, un-|caught like rate in @ trap within their epilation to the Con-| til my complaint 16 adjusted? car. which immediately caught fire, and a i ONE OF DHE COME-ONS, |belig locked in, they were unable to now I will either \r themselves, Wants City Gas Works, ‘To the Editor of The or else have th torn ‘on the gus and ve eee Are Insulting, employees enpevial yaa dompantes Siu I have ) Of rough "Mutual rom 40 to 10 e should be, T Gave been Infor Pay, for is most: ry th natal Bete meter who: tava | Blow on. our seg ators at atiaire to your paper | as bills are than they | d by represe - tives of 4 gas company that What we | y alr forced through Pressure Ho that the hands on wW consumption |p cone of the wreck ls but = few est of the city of Cleveland, and out immediately” on of the wreck from this olty, njurles to the train crews con- ted mainly of outs aid bruises and not considered serious. All but two Of the cars of the ger train were destroyed by & fire which probably from the overturning and ex: in the express and Sixty-seven Cars Burned, 97. LOUIS, Feb, M.—The car shed and aixty-seven street-care of the Bt. Louts soe jlay. TAX-DODGERG WILL HAVE. TO PAY UP. Inspired by Justice O’Gorman’s Decision, a Bill Has Been Prepared, Making Personal Property Stored in City Taxable. It Is Protected by Police Force and Fire, Department, and Should Pay Its Pro-| portion of the Cost, Irrespective of, Where Owner May Claim to Reside. Following the line of Justice O'Gorman’s decision, which is considered a | straight-out-from-the-shoulder blow at rich tax-dodgers, a bill will be pre-| sented in the Legislature making taxable all personal property contained in any residence maintained in the county of New York. This bill contemplates the levying of a tax on such property irrespective of the legal or other residence of the owners. It has been drawn already) and submitted to the Tax Commissioners and has received their unqualified indorsement. The bill was forwarded to Albany to-day with a letter from the Mayor.) It will be presented without delay, and it is the hope of the administration | that the measure will become a law at once. If it does, Tax Commissioner | Wells declared to-day, efforts of the department to “round up" all wealthy) taxpayers who claim residences outside the county will be made without de- WILL PREVENT TAX-DODGING. “We sincerely hope that the bill will be passed by the present Legisla- ture,” said President Wells to-day. “We have all along hoped for just such | a measure, Not only will it simplify and make more effective the work of this department, but it will also prevent the dodging of taxes by pretended | non-residents.” | The new bill is sweeping In its character. It gives the assessors author- {ty to make personal inspection of any residences in which it is claimed | taxable personal property is stored. The claim will be set forth that if such property is maintained within the jurisdiction of the county and protected by the municipal fire and police departments, such property is | justly subject to taxation, irrespective of where the owner may elect to vote. | This measure will reach all those millionaires who have sworn off taxes be- | fore the Commissioners while actually maintaining a residence in this city. It is wide in its scope. President Wells declared to-day that the new bill affords all ample safeguards and hits the mark. JUSTICE O’GORMAN’S DECISION CONCLUSIVE. “Justice O'Gorman’s decision,” said the Commissioner, “we regard as a victory for this department. It covers the ground fully and can have but one interpretation and that is that efforts have been made and are making | to dodge taxes by some of our wealthiest men. There is no ground on earth | to dispute that fact. The swoaring-off process has been adopted by rich men | to evade the payment of legally !mposed taxes. I don't say that we are per- fect in this department or that we are not liable to make a mistake, but I | do say that after investigation by this department when we impose a tax | for a certain amount that amount comes pretty near being the actual figure which the person taxed should pay. But they don’t do it and they evade this just charge by setting up the non-residence plea, | “How are we going to get at such people as the Vanderbilts at Hemp- | stead and others of that class at Newport, who we know maintain expensive | establishments in New York? We can’t get at them under the present laws, and that is the very reason we have had this new bill framed and sent to Albany. These people actually set up the contention that they have voted iu some cases as many as twenty years in the place claimed as their resi- dence, but still their habit of life indicates them to be New Yorkers. They take part in the affairs of New York, maintain residences in New York, live in New York a great part of the year and make their money in New York, but they are not willing to pay the small tax imposed, INCREASED POWERS ARE REQUIRED. “At present we propose to follow closely the line of Justice O'Gorman's decision, It will prove a great ald to us, It will have, too, a moral effect upon those who present themselves here knowing in their hearts that they lare legal subjects of taxation, but avoiding the issue by setting up a claim of residence elsewhere. Of couiwe the new bill confers great powers on the Tax Commissioners, but it is the only way out of the difficulty. We have the power now to discriminate, Why not give us the added power to dis- leriminate between the tax-dodger and the man who is really willing to pay his just tribute? We can't make the laws, but we can suggest,” FOR THOSE THE CAP FITS. Justice O'Gorman when seen by an Evening World reporter to-day sald: “Tt would not be proper for me to outline the scope, force or interpreta- tion of my decision. I think it speaks for itself. There may be tax-dodgers, That I am not personally aware of. It is for the Tax Commissioners to in- terpret my decision and apply it to the needs as they see fit or circumstances may warrant.” Comptroller Grout said: “While Justtce O'Gorman's decision is not a new principal of law, it certainly points out a practical way of determining whether or not a person is liable for taxes, In the absence of a better method the Justice's decision points a way.” CAPT. BROWN ASKS |ROOSEVELT SIGNS TOBE RETIRED. FOR COAL STATICKS He Is in Charge of Brooklyn’s|With Supply Bases In Cuba the “Hoodoo” Station and Would! Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean End His Days in Peace. Sea Are Safe. WASHINGTON, Feb, %.—President Rosevelt has signed the agreement drawn under the terms of the Platt amendment providing for the ecquisi- tion by the United States of a naval station at Guantanamo and a coaling station @t Bahia Honda, both in Ouba. @apt. Edmund Brown, of the Atlantto Avenue Station in Brooklyn, appiled for retirement to-day. He is sixty-six years old, and has been a pollceman contin- uously since 1878. Previous to that he had served five years Capt. Brown gave no reason for wish- ing to retire, but it 1s understood that he tw tired of the police business and intends t end his days peacefully in Bath Beach, where be hee @ fi Tt does not specify the price of the ie 00 nok ehow fils sdsencen | properties to be aquired by the United was one of the most active men in the! states, and this detail ig left to be set- signed by President Palma and was brought to Washington by Minister Squiers, department. Ls Ued by the usual legal condemnatory The precinct to which he has been| edt De decided exactly the amount of land it wishes at each place. With these two places properly fortt- fled as navel bases the Gulf of Mexico Nearly every Captain who has served tn it in recent years has died while in service, Bome other form of misfortune overtook those who survived. Thies The dooument had been previously | fry. would not be possible of oooupation by ® hostile feet and the Caribbean Sem pul unsafe fo may have something to do with the retirement of Capt. Brown. oder gay yp af the foros in 1864, resigned wee i; tation ot im 1886 od & New York's Fastest Growing Store, The news of this store i made to wear open or to \ style, We tought 600 heavy white Pique Waists their regular value. To-morrow they w tables, and you get the same percentage of saving as we did. They are made in the latest yoke effect, with pleated front, and are finished with lace medallions, puff cuffs and tab stocks. Choose to- MOFTOW ateeeeeececcenssseeneees coon A Great Sale of 38-in. All-wool Henrietta Cloth; « ors and black. . . 38-in. tures in COlTS..++.+++....eeeeceness 38-In. Worsted Shepherd Check: colors and white and black. ..... 38-In. All-woo!l Granite Clot! sirable color: me Each line good at.. Boys’ “Suit reinforced. Pants with patent waistbands, double seats and knees, and deep J turned-up hems. Suits warranted fast color; sizes 7 to 15; worth $3.98, at .. seeeee Dimities, in new designs, white grounds, stripes, at, per yardeeessece....cseeners Rothenberg cd. WEST 14™ ST. Are You Always In Touch With This Store? You Ought to Be—BECAUSE IT PAYS. is of utmost importance to the thrifty buyer. We don’ that can be turned immensely to your advantage. We ALWAYS have bargains. 1' in our announcements. Therefore, to be out of touch with Rothenberg’s means to miss many great economy opportunities. Women’s Tailored Blouse Suits. Tailor-Made Blouse Suits, made from finest all-woo! cheviot serge, blouse Lined with finest guaranteed satin, large pufl sleeve and postilion back; 7-gore flare skirt, handsomely tailored; colors blue and black; sizes 32 to 44; value $16.50, Also 300 Handsome Fancy Blouse Suits, in various new designs. like them ever before offered at the price......... vith tab effects and puff cuffs, mercerized lining; sizes 12 to 18; $7.50 values, at... .. $1.98 Waists at 98c. \ N WX WSs Made much like the women’s tailored suits, in the collarless blouse Dress Goods in Spring Shades. ate All-wool Etamines; colors and All-wool Scotch Tweed Mix- $3.98 Values, at $1.98. Double-Breasted Two-Plece Suits, strictly all wool, in mixed patterns suitable for semi- dress wear. Coats with mercerized Italian lining, wide French facings and large lapels; all seams Gheviots for Waists and Dresses at 9%. To-morrow we willofier on Special Tables a large lot of Cheviots in white grounds, with black polka dots, ‘a most desirable fabric for waists and dresses; special, per yard. Heavy Grochet Bedspreads at 89c. Special lot of full size heavy Crochet Bedspreads, regular price $1.25e0ee,...cssesssseneeeeseseoneres Satisfaction Guaranteed or Money Promptly Refunded t buy goods uhless we can get them at prices here are more in the store than are mentioned) The Finest Ever Offered at the Price. button over. Deep, broad facings, rich peau de soie, Nothing 2229.98 Girls’ Junior Blouse Suits. Fancy tailor stitching and newest flare skirt; in black, blue and brown; Taffeta, 3 $4 Walking Skirts at $1.98. at less than half stripe. suiti ith <teloee ‘ 4] i strip uitings, with <tripes In various: iM go on special yidths, Just the right welght for present and early spring wear. Tailor made, kilted style; lengths 36 to 41 inches; $4.00 value; _———. $$$ D Goods and Black Silk ress Uoods an acK OllKS. Special Values in Black Silks. 24-In. Black All-Silk Double Warp Foulard, 39 (4 20-in, Heav: uality All-Silk Black 39c 19-in. Black Peau de Sole, 85c. grade, 20-in. Heavy Quality Black Peau de Sole, $1 Grade. ..scccesese sic. cseceeee oe 19-in. Warranted to Wear Black Taffeta, 75c. Made from all-wool invisible hairline ‘ in the new flare | : 8c SPeCial atiovee cece @ , 8 59c. grade. 22-in. Black Peau de Cygne, 85c. grade. rade... + veer eens eaae sevens iberty Shoes. ‘More than 40 different styles. 39 % & # BS Colonial Ties and Evening Slip- pers in dull kid or patent leather, all sizes and widths; Patent Leather, boots or Oxfords, Louis XV. or military heels; Dongola Kid or Box Calf, patent or kid tip; S, SiVici Kid Oxfords, welt or turn soles, Cuban ‘ or Louis XV. heels; A Sizes and widths J ¢ complete ; $3.50 value atessessseceseceee polka dots, 32-Inc! waists and dresses, per yard 5% JAMES MeCREERY & CO. Ladies’ House Gowns. 3rd Floor, Albatross negligee robes,— ribbon trimmed, Colors :—pink, blue, grey, white and black. 12.50 ; Cashmere Gowns, — ribbon and lace trimmed. 12.50 and 15,00 Twenty-third Street, —=—=—=—=—=———=—_—_ roalnoad will con he backbone rail- y private en- Honda will for some ui imply as a place if cont, haps @ short line of nect the port with ¢! road all Anished |b; terprise. Honda timp probably be for the storage 0! SECOND FIRE VICTIM DIES. John Lenox Succumbs to His cn- juries and Daughter Can't Live, One by one the three members of the Lenox family, who were severely burned by fire in thelr apartments, at No. 663 First aven' ly Sunday morning, are dying, Yesterday the grandmother, Mrs. Annie Lenox, succumbed to her in- juries, and this afternoon her son, John Lenox, forty-one years old, died, The only remaining member of the family who is still alive is Elizabeth Lenox, thirteen years old, the daughter of the man who dled to-day, Bhe ts in & critical condition and the doctors hold out no hope of her recovery. The rendered al] the more pa- thetic be the girl and her grand- mother escaped injury if oy ted not returned tortie house to oy nad it re 4 if The ‘mae had been PRINCETON CLUB PRISONERS Examination of Men Taken in Raid Uatil There When the seven men who were ar- Stern Brothers A Special Purchase of Men’s Spring Neckwear of high-grade silks, medium and dark effects, in a large variety of designs, including self-figured whites and blacks. FULL SIZE SQUARES, open and folded, and FOUR-IN-HANDS, in two widths, value 7§¢ & $1,00 50c First Floor, Oriental Carpets and Rugs Kirmanshah, Tebriz, Iran, Khorassan, Fereghan and Mushkabad Carpets. Also a large collection of Kirmanshah, Iran, Sennah, Bokhara, Kazak and Shiraz Rugs, at very low prices, 200 Oriental Rugs [Shirvan] 86,90, 38.50, $12.50 to $45.00 — AXMINSTER RUGS, 9 x 12 ft., reproductions of Oriental designs, light and dark colorings, Value $24.50 Third Floor 319.50 Attention is Directed to the Splendid Showing of Cut Glass & Imported China also to the Art Object Department in the newly opened Annex, Third Floor, To-morrow, Plates, Cups, Saucers, etc., at % Below Regular Values; Course and Salad Plates, 25c and 350 After Dinner Cups and Saucers, 15c and 25c Tea Cups and Saucers, 25c and 350 Chop Sets, 83,95 West Twenty-third Street rested in th raid on the Princetonian Club, an alleged pool-room, in West Thinty-ninth street, were arraigned to- day before Magistrate Pool in the Weat “aida wea pomponed tnt Rider Whe Hobbed Goy, Odeli’e & drose-sult case and contents, vali JOCKEY GOES TO PRISON. | ¢, srsmr*uis core snd comente,. Gumty. aby