New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-01
MR.. GIBBENS Defends HIS BOARD.
GIVE 1T MORE POWER, HE SAYS, AND ALL
WILL BE WELL.

GIVE IT MORE POWER, HE SAYS, AND ALL
WILL BE WELL.
Commissioner Gibbons, of the Board of Electrical
Control. was seen by Tribune reporter yesterday
When asked for his opinion of the presennent OF the
Grand Jury in the Fecks case, he said
The Board of Electrical Control IS not at all
affected by the finding Of the Grand Jury, because the
Board believes that the jury was ignorant Of the law
and facts relating the work of the Board the con-
dton of the overhead wires and the building OF the
subways The Grand Jury took its Information from
sources hostile to the Board. These were ex-Mayor
Hewitt and the electric lighting companies. The
members OF the Board had chance 10 testify, and
the conclusions are those Of star chamber lnves'
CATION A short time ago ex-Mayor Hewitt declared
before convention of electric light men, at the ho'8i
Brunswick that 1t impossible 10 operate high+en-
sion currents underground. This view was adopted
by the convention
"A presentment founded on such evidence VIII not
hinder the Board from proceeding with the work
which has been ntrusted to it by the legislature any
moro than that convention hindered IT,
Il heartily agree with the Grand Jury's conclusion
that all excavatng In the streets should be under
public control and that there should be but one sub
way | have agitatel this project for some years
Last year appeared before a committee Of the AS
sembly and advocated the passage Of just such
measure as the Grand Jury recommend"
Il cannot agree with the structures of the Grand
Jury upon the Board of Electrical Control. believe
the efforts OF the Board to place the wires under
ground have been remarkably successful, considering
the opposition met from the electrical companies ana
certain Of the local authorities. The power Of the
Board purely judicial and their regulations can only
be carried out by these local authorities The con-
test between the Board and the electric companies
has been bitter, and the companies have had the AID
Of the courts and authorities much of the time. still
we can point with pride to the most complete system
of subways in the world a mile age Of underground
wire in operation greater than that Of any other city
and 70 tie removal from the streets nj more than
one-thlrl of the poles existing at the time of the
organization Of the Board
The final effort Of the companies TO resist the
Board eliminated when we insisted that they should
no, use badly insulated wires In spite OF notice
they used them and killed Feeks. These wires would
have been cut down by the Commissioner OF Public
Works and Feeks's death rendered impossible had
not the courts lnterfered.
"The remedy for the existing evils is not TO be
found In changing Commissioners. but IN giving the
Board greater power conveyed In language so clear
that court Will Interfere with its exercise
"Thc Grand Jury ceusures for not pushing
the work on the Subways fast enough A. to this the
contractors are known 10 be among the mos reputable
IN the city. They pushing the work As rapldN
IL consistent with good results and ara e.nplov,tg
met with and the bad weather they have accomplished
wonders
II was rumocd yesterday that a bill was being
drawn up looking to the removal OF the present Com
mssioneis Of Electrical COntO and the Apo ntment
Oh three practical electrical engineers In their stead.