New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-02
NovICEs IN ELECTRICITY.
UNDERGROUND COMMISSIONERS NAMED.

UNDERGROUND COMMlSSlONEhS NA"|O
vrssps. 1oEw AND SQUIRE MAKE UP A SLATE AND
ELECT Ir-MAYoR GRACE IGNORED.
The Mayor. Controller and Commissioner OF Pub
Lie Works met in the Mayors Office yesterday 10 APP
point three commissioners 10 carry OUT the law 10
ouiriug electric wires to go underground. Although
the law took effect nearly month ago, no ap,
continents had been made because the Mayor could
secure no satisfactory agreement with the otner
members of the appointing board. As originally
reported to the Senate the bill gave the Mayor the
sole power of making the APPOINTMENTS! usc as III
the case of the Mayor Of brooklyn. but aiteI
Mayor Grace appointed "Charlie" Reilly. Joe
Koch and other wel-knOwn ward politicians 10
responsible places the Senate amended tne olil ~
rs 10 give the appointments in New-iOrk 10 the
Mayor. Controller and Commissioner OF fuDilc
Works. 1t was reported at the time that this ar
raugement was equally satisfactory TO mu1e,v ~,
Barnun. Tie appointments made yesterday were
generally regarded as confirming that report. al
'Thompson, who was an early visitor at the office
of Controller Loew, where he remained until the
were inclined TO back ws out of the
rangement and appoint two scient,nc experts.
When this was carried to Thompson he hastened az
once to the Controllers Office aud Is supposed 10
have stiiiened Mr.. Loew's backbone. AS 10 Com,
missioner Squire it was known that he would
carry out the orders of Contractor flyhh ana
On entering the Mayors Office Mr.. Squire left his
manners outside and took no notice OF Mayo
Grace Controller Loew. coming i'll few minutes
later shook hands with the Mayor and entered INTO
an earnest conversation with him. lrom which IL
was evident that they could MT agree. Inc Mayor
said that this was very important COMMISSION
which was to decide on electrical subways; ana
that it would be absurd to appoint men wholly
mission had large discretionary powers as to
wli-re the wires shonll go underground ne
thought that 1t should be made up oil men Oh the
highest character. Mr. Loew did not THINK 1t
necessary that the members should know anything
of electricity. and for high standing ne thought
the Loew family stood as high as any other IN the
IL. lnI 4 h.p III
1 the members seated themselves about table,
when the Mayor remarked that each one would
MAIDS no response. The Mayor prosecute the
bia College. Frank l.. Pope. formerly cniei
electrician of the Western Union telegraph Com
pany. and John 7. Townsend, president oil the
Mar time Exchange. The Controll presented the
names Of Nicholas NJ. Palmer, IT,, Ferdinand Seeger
and Walter G. Stokes. There was a delay. but Com
Does the Commissioner of Public Works desire
to pres mt any candidates T. asked the Mayor.
No." was tho curt reply.
You have no Candidates 10 preSeht' eAciaiiheu
the Mayor in surprise. .,
"a None that can think of al this moment" the
Commissioner answered IN an unconcerned manner ,ed
vote vas then taken on eacn candidate pre-
scented by the Mayor and they were all rejected the
Mayor alone voting for them The roll was then
called Oh the names presented by the Controller
The Mayor remarked that he did not know Mr.
Palmer and as the Controller volunteered no IN
formation the Mayor voted no." The Controller
Works :" no. and the name was rejected the same
vote was recorded on the name OF MIR. Stokes Inc
Mayor remarked that he would like to support Mr.
Seeger but he did not believe that he hal The
scientific knowledge necessary for the place " lie
is an anti-monOpOlist' said the Controer ana
his appointment is asked for by that body" Tue
name was rejected by the same vote as the othcr
names presented bv the Controller.
Mr. Sou re then took piece OF paper ana care
lossly wrote on it tie names OF Jacob Hess Charles
T.. Loew aud theodore Moss, the three person,
agreed upon in advance by thompson Loew ald
Squire Mr.. Squire tossed the paper across the
table to Mayor Grace and the roll was called. lhe
Mayor voted nc" on each name and the Controller
aud Comm ssioner of Public Works aye he
three Commissioners having been chosen under thc
law, said Mayor Grace, " we will now adjourn"
After adjournment Mr.. Loew said that he voted
for his brother because he was u capable man. AMI
he was not to he coerced by anybody IN such
matter Me- Squire was asked if he voted for Mr..
the well-known 1899 contractor because OF their
relationship. Mr.. Squire replied with some heat {:
mo never passed a word with Mr.. Flynn on the
subject. Mr. Moss is well known as the treasurer
of a theatre and that is enough"
TDe selection of Mr.. Hess. the weikhown
butcher was said to have been made at the request
o. Assembiyman Barnun, who introduced a'd Ell
deayored to pass Commissioner Sqnlres well-knDwn
Water Meter bill Mr. LOew and Mr. Moss are
both active members of the County Democracy
organization. Not one of the Commissioners has
any practical kaowle lge of electricity.
Mr. Moss is the first man connected with the
theatrical profession " no has ever bren appointed
to an important municipal Office. lie has always
been the treas of the charity ball. the chill
drens carnival. etc, and he was treasurer OF the
Sanitary Far in 1854.