New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-20
II USTLED OUT BY THE MA Vol
STRONG'S EAST RIVER BRIDGE COMMlS-
SION DISMISSED WITH SCANT
COURTESY.

THE OLD ONES
Mayor Van Wyck yesterday reorganlzsd the East
River Bridge Commission BY removing the six
Commissioners who were appointed by Mayor
Strong and appointing six Commissioners.
The Commissioners who removed from office
are Andrew ID. Baird. James A. Sperry Henry
Batterman. Francis b. Thurber Richard Deeyes
and Salem II. Wales The new Commissioners are
Lewis Nixon, Smith f. Lane Julian D. Fairchld.
James w Boyle. John W Weber and Thomas 5
Moore. The reorganization OF the Commission
means that William G.. Choate H. G.. NJ. Ingraham
and Frank d. Pavey. the attorneys for the Com
mission. viii lose the opportunities for getting large
fees which they enjoyed In the past. The Bridge
Commissioners receive salaries Of 5000 year
each.
The action Of the Mayor was taken after he had
received report from the Commit ssioners Of Ac-
counts. critlcising the methods of the East River
Bridge Commission The reorganization was has
tened by understanding that the old Commits
sion Intended at It's meeting yesterday afternoon 10
let contracts for piers 20 cost $4,000 In the re-
port Of the Commissioners Of Accounts there were
complaints that the bookkecp ping methods OF the
Bridge Commissioners were defective and that the
expense account had been sWeled by improper
payments for counsel fees. These were the fees Of
William c. Choate and Henry c. NJ. Ingraham,
amounting TO s45 500. and 10 Frank D. Pavey s. pc.
No duplicats vouchers for these sums were on file.
the Commissioners Of Accour IS declared
The new Bridge Commissioners were called 70
the Mayors office and sworn In In the forenoon.
In announcing the new appointments the Ma! OF
said
at the rate the former Commissioners were
going Il would have taken from ten to htteeh
wears TO complete the bridge. | have had the
opinion OF prominent bridge builders and archl-
tectural experts and they tell me that the bridge
should have been nearly completed by this time.
II should certainly have been finished within the
,.fn no ~ ~
Commissioners II they work as slowly as the
former Commissioners worked
.'The repor, OF the Commissioners OF Account $
shows that the former Bridge Commissioners paid
cxtravaeant legal fees. Mr. lngraham and Mr..
Choate received $500. William G. Choate, that
eminent rerormer. received an extra allowance OF
$1,000 for his services as a Commissioner OF the
Elm-st widening. Altogether he received S7sD
from the clt~ for legal services during the last
nistrat!on. II the Commissioners that have
appointed incur any such exorbitant legal fees
they will be removed"
The new Commissioners went to ,he Office OF the
Commission at No. 81 Chambers-st and organized.
Mr. Nixon was elected president, Mr. Boyle was
made yice-presldent Mr. Farchild was elected
treasurer and Mr.. Lane was elected secretary.
Hearing that the old Commissioners were to have
4 meeting at l p. m. and fearing that there might
be a conflict OF authority. the new commissioners
went TO get advice from Corporation Counsel
Whaen. Mr. Boyle returned to the office with
Mr. Fairchild and Mr. Lane at p. m. and found
MIR Wales and Mr. Baird there. Nj Baird SAID
that the new Commissioners were In charge. When
Mi Nixon appeared he took possession Oh the presi-
dents chair
The Oil Commissioners made no attempt 10 keep
possession but went out. saying they had expected
removal but had supposed that 4 Nttle more court
esv would be extended TO them. The new Com
missioners held u short executive session ana an
nOunccd that they would meet again AT p. m TO-
day In the corridor OF the building the old and
new Commissioners met. and Mr. BOYLE said: Il
am sorry wr had to act unceremoniously, but We
had to take charge. and there was no time for
formality." Some OF the former COmmissi oners
said they were not sorry 10 he free from the re-
sponsibility OF Office ana they would give any pos
slbe help to their successors. who were good men
lewis Nixon is a shipbuder. He formerly was a
United States engineer OF naval construction and dc
signed wdrships.
James " Boyle is the Tammany leader In the
With Assembly Dlstric, and expected % receive
an office OF Importance in the new administration.
lie has been popular and successful Tammany
leader.
Smith +. Lane formerly a Park Commits
s.oncr. He Is weil-known clubman and lives at
the Union Club.
Julian d. Farchild IS the president OF the Kings
County Trust Company.
Thomas 5. Moore Is a Brooklyn lawyer who was a
candidate FOR justice OF the supreme Court In 1896
John w Weber IS a Brooklyn brewer