The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-06

Rowland u. Thomas, having refused
to resign, was yesterday removed from
the position of superintendent of high
ways and sewers by Director of Pub
lie Works Roche, and W. j. Thomas
was appointed i'm his place.
Director Roche called the supern-
tendcnt into his office shortly before
O'Clock and informed him that the time
had come for the parting of the ways.
He told him that he would extend him
the privilege of resigning if he chose
TO take advantage of it. but Mr.. Thom-
as didn't care to resign and Director
Roche accordingly told him that he
should consider himself removed.
A few minutes afterwards he Off
Cially announced the appointment Of
w. J. Thomas, of Price street, to the
position. The new superintendent will
take charge this afternoon.
The removal of Rowland Thomas
was practically decided upon by Direc-
charge of the department of public
works, and was delayed simply be-
cause the director had a job trying to
find a man to take the position who
measured up to it's requirements.
made. the director said:
THE DIRECTORS STATEMENT.
1T has been made because | decided
| that w. j. Thomas was a far more
competent man for the place than
| Rowland ID. Thomas. That's all I've
| got to say on that phase of the ques-
| ton. The appointment of the new
| superintendent is my own entirely and
| If he doesn't suit the blame Will rest
on my shoulders and on nobody's else.
"Will the advent of the new superin-
tcndent mean the beginning of any
radical changes in the management of
| the bureau" asked the Tribune man.
| We'll, yes. can say that it will
be the beginning of changes which |
have contemplated. but don't ask me
what they are to he, for I'm not pre-
pared to say just now replied the
director.
Rowland Thomas. who was removed
was appointed to the position of street
commissioner by Former Mayor Moir
about two years ago, succeeding y. j.
O'Boyle. The Office of street commits
Sioner is abolished in cities of the Sec
ond class and the title of superintend-
tuted.
The new superintendent. W. j. Thorn
as. is a staunch Republican and comes
from West Scranton. being a resident
of the Fourth ward, which bailiwick h
represented in select council for a num-
! ber of years with great credit. lie
sought the Republican nomination for
the place again two years ago. but was
4 4,
revelation of the bribery rampant in
councils was one of the features of the
Municipal league investigation.
THE NEW SrPERINTEND DENT.
"Bill' Thomas, as he is popularity
Known. has always been recognized a.
ON" If the best mon that ever OcCupleC
a scat in councils. He was fghteI
from Nayba"k, and if he thought GER
tain thing VAS right. he would stiCl
out for 1t to the last ditch.
! The story is told that at one time
not many years ago. a measure was
pending which a certain large COrpOr
alton wanted passed. Pill" Thomas
worked for the certain large COrpor
alton but he persisted in voting agalns
the measure in question. One of tn,
big officials OF the corporation invited
The councilman to his Office for a heart
to-hcart talk.
Thomas went, and had the heart-tO
heart talk. but informed the ofiicia
when it was over that he would VOt,
the same as he had been voting, if HI
lost his job. He voted as he had voted
and didn't lose his job, and it il whs
pered that the official of the big cor
poration now thinks deal of him.
Mr.. Thomas is reported to have sal,
yesterday. when rendered the appoint
ment, thar he wasn't exactly sur,
whether he Vas competent to take /
or not, and that if at any time he wa
found to be not tit, he would be gla,
to be removed