The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-03
.FWO MORE HEADS Topped OFF
MAYOR Weaver CONTINUES HIS
BATTLE AGAINST THE GAS GANG.

BATTLE AGAINST THE GAS GANG.
Thomas l.. Hicks, Famous as statistician.
Succeeds Baker as Assistant Director
OF Public wOrks-Other Heads May
Fall TO-day-u. G. 1. DIR. ps to % l'Z'
PHILADELPHIA, June 2.-Mayor Weaver
again trained his guns upon the shattered
forces OF the gang to-day and the heaos
Of Assistant Director of Public Works
William H. Baker and Assistant Director
Of Public Safety Alexander Colville went on.
Immediately after their designations mad
been received. and there was no attempt
at equivocation on their Part. as was the
case with their former superioIs. their sue
ccssors were appointed and took their
places at the vacated desks
In the Department of Public Works ex-
Postmaster Thomas l.. Hicks was named
to succeed Baker. while eX-Magistrate
Thomas w. South was installed at Col
yille's desk Both appointments were
taken as an indication that Mayor Weaver
will not heed any overtures that may be
made by the fallen leaders looking toward
return to favor and the consequent De-
stowal Of patronage.
Hicks, formerly Il rampant machine
man, has been one of the bitterests de-
runciators of the Durham ring in all the
recent reform campa gns. In his breast
there ranked the thorn Of smothered am
aforementioned by leaders who had
feared that some day Hicks would usurp
the seats Of the mighty. To-day Hicks
stands triumphant, entrenched in a posi-
ton where he can wipe the slate clean.
Those of the old regime who have been
permitted to retain their places need ex-
pc It no snaps with Hi, ks as assistant
As postmaster of Philadelphia Hicks
was a great organizer and strict dis
plinarian. The young woman clerks in
the post office even now look anxious when
the name Of Hicks is mentioned. Further
more, contractors doing work for the de-
partment will he ma dc to toe the mark to
the fraction Of an inch
Hicks is keen in statistics and the COM
rilation of figures al out everything under
the sun has cen his lifelong hotty, In
recent mraigrs he has made PRACTICAL
applications of them in manner that his
opponents have had hard work to square.
Hicks may lie counted upon to apply his
ste tistics to contracts and the carrying out
thereby
k5mtne other hand organization men are
secretly rejoicing at the appointment OF
hicks. They declare that If anything VIII
pause runpus in the present omega e. marry
family it ia ths Introduction OF Hicks into
It's circle They predict That in aInonth he
and Director Acker will tie at loggerneadS.
owing to the faculty Hicks is said to posse
OF wanting to impress his ideas upon all
81 Thomas w. South is also an e1-machine
man, having formerly led the Forty-tirst
ward By e curious kind of fate, the leaGer-
ship was wrested from him by Peter Cos
telio, the ousted Director of Public I" orks.
The chances for South taking the reins
again In the ward are excellent,
y, Other heads are expected TO fall to-
morrow. 1t is probable that George w.
Sunderland. Assistant Director of the De-
partment of Public Health and Charities.
Moro os as Assistant az Director Of a suppes
will be dropped. The Mayor intimated
that neither place would be filled, and
that in the interest Of economy the places
would be abolished
vesti cation Of the present y, G. I. lease.
Its gent rally believed that he Is &C arcing
for ammunition for an attack on the U. CT.
in the courts for the purpose Of trying to
break the lease. The Mayor admits that
ne would like to see the gas works taken
Rack under municipal control. He is not
satisfied with the statements fled with the
Comptroller by the L. G. l. in which the
company sets forth its expenditures for
alterations, en- agreements. betterments and
improvements.
Mayor Weaver's object is to make sure
that the U. G. ! has nc t cen adding to its
account with the city sums VIII ch right
fully Lelon ged under the head Of running ex-
penses. Comptroller Walton admitted to-
cay that under terms of the lease there Is
no check on the retirement" expenditure
and it would Re legal question to determine
what should Re charged. He admitted
that in the way the lease was drawn it did
net adequately protec the interests Of the
city u the extent Of providing a check for
the city.
; MY audits can go no further than COM
rarison OF the reports the Z. G. I. makes
each year with the comrany's own
vouchers he explained. 1T is obviously
impossible for me to investigate any sepa-
rate item in these annual Statements
The Comptroller's rerort will be in the
bands of the Mayor next Wednesday and the
latter will bectn rigid probe.
To-day Q. G. I. dropped to 95H. and it
was the crrrer report that the drop was
caused by TIE large sale of holdin gs of the
farR who had been caught i, the squeeze.
III Of the lies were ut great loss There
WIS persistent report on the street to-day
TT the reform crowd had Instituted
e.rong bear movement in y. G. l.