New-York tribune., 1907-07-03

of my life my wedding day" said Mr.. Whitney as
he went work. II his fourth anniversary.
Controller Metz applied yesterday TO Corporation
Counsel Ellison for an opinion as TO his authority
20 Pay out the $4,000 rema ming TO the credit OF
the Rapid Transit Commission. Until ne receives
This opinion the Controller viii not honor any order
against the money blythe new commission.
Before the public utilities bill passed the
Controller declared in opposition 10 It because it
'did not serve the best interests Of the city. In
his request to the Corporation Counsel for opin
ion Mr.. Metz quotes the objections Of the Mayor.
On the other hand Controller Metz spoke in most
frendly terms Of the personnel Of the commission
and TO Tribune reporter he added that he would
assist Il in its work in every possible way. saying:
Il hope the first thing they do is TO build third
track 10 The Bronx"
Controller Metz asks to be advised as to the con-
stitutionality Of the act creating the Utilities Com
mission and wants defined the policy OF New York
City with reference TO H. The Controller also sub
nitted list II questions sent TO him by Commits
sioner Bassett The questions were:
'FiTst-Will the unused moneys TO the credit of
the old board be available the requis!ton of
the board, and what suggestions, If any. would
you make in this regard?
Seoond-Can you pay present employees under
some tern2ora5y plan without recassifcaton
under the Civil Service?
'.Third-WIl all Offices now rented by the city
and used by the old board be available 10 the
board?
'Fourth-Can you make any suggestions that
will facilitate the beginning Of the work Of the
new board?'
The commissioners had a busy day yesterday.
They first met in the law offices Of Commissioner
meeting There they had general discussion of
the most pressing subject before them. and later
took up in an informal way the appointment OF
counsel No decision 10 that was reached yes
terday and il IS probable that no appointment will
be made Immediately
About o'clock the commissioners met at the
offices Of the former Rapid Transit Commission.
which they have decided 10 use for the present
FOR over three hours they clOseted with the
new secretary. It was decided TO retain Chief En-
Slneer hlce. Of the former Rapid Transit Board.
His assistant, Mr.. Craven and the whole force O.
sub-engineers and inspectors. numbering nearly
tfee hundred. VIII also be retained for the pres
ent These su5-engineers and inspectors receive
salaries ranging from 5000 TO S1,20O
NO decision was reached 70 the retention OF
the employees Of the other commissions. State
wi wi service Commissioner Brown was in confer
ence with the commissioners and explained TO
them the bearing of the Civil Service laws on this
question.
Commissioner McCarroI was absent. owing 10 i'm
portant personal affairs
The commissioners went into the affairs of the
1ate public service commissions more Thoroughly
at the second meeting. Particular attention was
glven s the ARRANGEMENTS the Rapid Transit and
Railroad commissions had made for hearings and
their other business ENGAGEMENTS
commissioner Bassett said: We are going IN
carry out the work this summer regardless Of va
cations or personal interests. or anything else We
expect 70 hold three meetings Tomorrow and we
VIII begin 70 hold public meetings as soon as we
are thoroughly organized I believe that We can
cadoubteoly better rapid transit facilities and the
handling and transportation OF crowds in this city
materially G
10 you mean " the construction Of new lines
he was asked 7
NO" he replied a great dea! can he dime NTH
the facilities that have now b,y forcing The
uaHst system 20 use their rolling stock ard otber
apparatus TO the best advantage believe tf tbis
was done most or large part Of the congestion
would be done away with. OF course I am moro
familiar with the conditions IN BROOKLYN than tooea
IN Manhattan and The Bronx. and / know VIII
the bridge crush IS and the necessity for son1e
prompt remedy. But. l have said before
while viii naturally look out for the Interests ~
BROOKLYN and Queens with great interest will also
remember that am commissioner for the FIRST
district. and not for any particular borough
How about the Coney Island subway"
We'll. have nothing say bout that to5a,
II has not been overlooked. but IL would be i'm
proper for 20 tell what was done or said ahout
that in the meeting to-day. I cannot tell vou
whether the hearing on the 18th will he had or not
We are watching out for such things however
Edward Dixon. assistant engineer Of F B. Behr
inventor OF monoraii railroad filed with the Itili
ties Commission yesterday the first application for
franchise that the commission has received II
asks for franchise to operate a railroad on his
system between Atlantic avenue ferry and Conev
Island. Brooklyn. An officer OF the old RAND
Transit Board said that that board had submitted
a proposition 10 Mr. Behr agreeing to grant his
petition II he would deposit s25 900 10 indernnifv
the city. and that Mr.. Behr accepted this condj-
tion but never deposited the money.