New-York tribune., 1907-06-29
THE UTILITIES BOARDS.
ANNOUNCED BY HUGHES.
UHcor Heads Local Commission
and f. W. Sterens Upstate One.
IBy Tel grarh 70 The Tribule-I


Albany. June 2S-AnnOUnCement was made
at the Executive Chamber to-day that on July
Governor Hughes would appoint the following
as members of the Public Service Commissions:
For the First District (Gew York, Kings.
Queens and Richmond Countiesl:
WILLIAM R. WILCOX, of New York CHAIR
man
WILLIAM WCARROI.L. of Brooklyn.
EDWARD NJ BAsSETT. of Brooklyn
MILO r MALTBIE. of New York
JOHN z. EUSTIS. of The Bronx.
For the Second District call other countlesG
FRANK W. STEVENS. Of Jamestown chair
man
CHARLES HALLAM KEEP. of Buffalo
THOMAS MOTT OSBORNE. of Auburn
JAMES z. SAGUE, Of New Hamburg
MARTIN S DECKER, of New Paltz-
One member of each commission is to serve
only until February l. 1909. and the term OF
one in each is to expire annually thereafter:
each new appointment TO be made for the full
term of five years. The respective terms OF ths
commissioners first appointed have not yet been
fixed.
Governor Hughes had under consideration
more than three hundred names Of candidates.
presented by themselves and friends. ranging
from individuals TO political organizations. This
study he gave to this important work. on which
depends the success of the entire public utilities
project. never will be known beyond few close
friends. with whom he consulted occasionally.
He faced tremendous problems; he fought them
out mostly alone.
II is probable that the commission for the
Second District will meet here on Monday TO
organize and take the oath Of Office The New
York City commission will organize there.
Counsel and secretaries of both commissions
selves. though most people believe the Governor
viii exercise supervisory eye.
MANY NAMES BEFORE GOVERNOR.
Many names for these places have been laid
before him. In appointing the New York City
commission. Governor Hughes believed that
while the boroughs Of Queens and Richmond
were not represented directly. his appointees
men of calibre TO represent the city at
large adequately, and that no locality would suf-
fer because it did not have direct representa-
tive in the board
To say that the announcement Of these names
created surprise here would be putting 1t mildly.
The appointees were men whose names had been
little Canvassed for those places as was that
of ex-senator Stevens when he was appointed
Superintendent of Public Works In only two
cases had any of the names received any amount
of public notice. and that was not by any means
general discussion. Postmaster Wilcox had
member of the board for the first district. Ex-
Mayor Osborne of Auburn. before he sailed for
Europe. was here to see Governor Hughes and
his prospects for appointment to the upstate
commission were Cauvassed thoroughly. II be-
came known among his friends that he had pro-
tested against appointment because of plans he
had made. and everybody believed when he de-
Cared that he would sail for Europe. that he
would not be made one of the commissioners
Not one Of these men is of the politician"
class. though perhaps Postmaster Wilcox and
Mr.. Osborne. both of whom have been active in
political work. might be considered politicians.
Several have held public office. both appointive
and elective Several others never have. Every
body who knew Governor Ftughes's ideas about
the character of men whom he wanted to get TO
serve on the commission believed that the polit-
icaI office holders who were seeking places would
be grievously disappointed men
COMMISSIONS ARE BIPARTISAN.
The two commissions are divided as evenly as
might be between the two big political parties.
although nothing in the public utilities law de-
rnanded that the commissions be bipartisan
of the members for the first district MI Bassett
is a Democrat DR.. Naltbie is pronOuncedly in
dependent in his political ideas, while Mr. Eustfs
is a member of the Citizens Union, who prob
ably terms himself an independent Republican
On the upstate commission are ex-Mayor Us
borne, an independent Democrat and Mr Decker,
a Democrat.
Yet DESPITE the fact that the majority OF these
mon who will WELD almost unprecedented power
over the railroad and lighting companies in this
state have firm political convictions and have
taken part to some extent in the service of their
narties each man is known far better for his
work in other lines than for his political
achievements Many Of them are Of that type
known derisiveIy 20 the professional politicians
as "reforners" Mr.. WILCOX made a high repu-
tation as an efficient reforming official in the
New York Park Commission and IN the post
office Dr. Naltbie's work for the National CIVIC
Federation and the Reform Club has given ninl
a reputation even of international note Mr.
Rassett as chairman OF the Brooklyn Central
Committee, showed a marked grasp OF transit
problems Mr.. McCarrou. as president OF tho
New York Board Of Trade and transportation
has studied transportation problems and taken
part in many movements to relieve the evils
which have afflicted New York City
While there is little likelihood that The ncrri-
nations will arouse any opposition when they are
presented for confirmation. IL is certain that
some of the appointments will raise considerable
factionaI trouble. Mr.. Stevens, for instance.
the man who prosecuted Justice HoOker. may
encounter some opposition from the judges
friends in the western part OF the state
Senator Raiues studied the list OF aPpointess
with great interest He said his knowledge of
the new commissioners personally. save in one
or two instances, was SO slight that he could not
comment on the character Of the commission
ANY commission which makes good +tfs
tremendously difficult job. said he. must neces-
sariIv reflect great credit on the Governor who
appointed il. the party and the state at large--