New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-14
The AQUBDUC7 COMMISSION.
MR.. THoMPsoN's SCHEME TO CONTROL IT.
THE ORGANIZATION or THE BOARD AWAITED WITH
ANXIETY.

ANXIETY.
The pol,ticians are awaiting with q good deal of
anxiety the complete organization OF the boaro OF
Aoueduct Commissioners. There wiz De n numper
Roard' Tne most important those Of chief
ENGINEER and secretary. When the Aquednct bill
was before the Legislature Is was changed so as to
give the Commissioners OF Public Works The power
n ,mpoy All TIC engineers and In tact all the en-
ployes OF the Aqueduct Board. delegation from
tho County Democracy, including Maurice j.;
Michael Norton, went to Albany 10 got the bill
passed in that shape. The Mayor aud his commits.
SION opposed that bill and insisted
with the Commission to make its own
selection OF employees. Two OF the Tammany Sena-
tors were in favor OF DIT. Thompson's bin until
then favored the act, which finally passcd leaving
the Auueduoi Board the power to select ITS own en-
gincers and employees.
Hubert o. Thompson, who is one OF the Aqueduct
Commissioners, is pow endeayoring TO have the Gu;
gineers OF the Public Works Department employed
by the Aqueduct Commission and IN order that no
NAV control the detail work OF the Commission no
asked the Aqneinct Board 70 DESIGNATE tne commits
There rs strong opposition TO this from lammany
Hall. In referring 10 the matter on Tuesday Tam
"Ta,sis simply another OF Mr. Thompson's efforts
10 control the work OF the Aqueduct Board.
He does not pretend to attend to the
buaine.s OF his department now, nearly
ain of winch Is lett TO his deputy. III Mr. THOMPSON
or his deputy is designated as secretary OF tho
Aaueduct Board, q subordinate would nave 10 40
ths wo, K and his pay would come from the appro-
nr,atIon for ths Department OF Public Works in-
stead OF FROM the funds OF the Aqueduct Board.
That would be no gain to tue city. ana " certaihy
would be positive loss To the Aqnednct Board TO be
mixed IN with department which has lost public
confidence The same thing is true OF the engineers
The Aqueduct Board cannot aford 10 90 mixed up
with tie Depa rtment OF Public Works"
Inoniry OF two OF the Aquednct Commissioners
showed that at least part OF the Board was Opposed
10 the designation OF any employe OIL the PuDilc
Works Department as secretary OF the Aqueduct
Board Ii will be important Office. and the salary
will probably be 81, 600 year, 10 be liked by the
Board of Estimate and Apportioament At
vss also said that the Aqusduct Board would en-
pIoy its own engineers aud assume all the
necessary res blty for its work without being
mixed up with ths Department OF Public Works
James j. Martin il mentioned as the probable sec
rotary OF the Aqueduct Board, though Colonel John
Tracy Is an active candidate.
Commissioner Thompson was too sick to attend
the last meeting Of the Aqueduct Board and atone
time his recovery was thought doubtful. IL wRs
reported about the City Hall yesterday that GER
tain politicians called the Mayor 60 ask that IN
case he had to appoint a Commissioner OF
Public Works because of the death
or disability OF Mr. Thompson, the place be
given to representative OF Tammany Hall. The
Mayor said that he would not accede TO the request
because the place belonged to the County Democ-
racy. Mr.. Thompson's recovery, however, has re-
lieyed the Mayor OF all pressure OF that kind.
appointments made by the Mayor, rs
said 20 have been In part the cause of an
open rupture of friendly rotations between the
John Is. Haskin, all Of whom are residents OF the
annexed district. Mr.. Haskn is said to be of the
opinion that Colenol Wood Is scheming
g be aspoaD nsd. c0TpScpa'i." cSSns' ~
the County Democracy's candidate for Supreme
Court Judge The "Tuscarsra Chefv as MIR.
Haskin ~ called, ~ OF the opinion that Colonel
Wood has altogether too much influence In the
MAYORS Office.