New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-05
COMMISSION TIRELESS
LOOKING FOR Il COUNSEL
Public Serrice Members Ignore
H0liday-Comp teting Plans

H0HdGY-t mptetang Plans.
The Public Service Commissioners Of tho %,
District hard az work yesterday. Thu boI,-
day not for them. Mr.. Eustis was at tho
oHces, and the other members while not AZ tb,.;-
desks. worked al their respective homes ova- a.,
details Of organization assigned TO them bv he
committee appointments Of Wednesday, They kept
IN close touch with the main Office throughout tie
day
Commissioner Bassett was particularly busv
drawing up rules OF procedure. mis- work is con
sidered OF great Importance. The public service
bin provides that the commissions shall determine
their own rules OF procedure and the greatest Iib-
erty is allowed under that provision
The appointment Of a counsel for the oor,,,,is
sion for this district is perpexing the members
They recognize the Importance OF selecting a
capable man for the position, and so far there IS
name among the list OF applicants that meets
with their entire approval II was agreed al the
meeting Wednesday afternoon that each commits
soner should select from the list the names Of
those who would probably fulfill the requirements
The selections Will be discussed this afternoon
ana me commissioners hope that by the process Il
elimination they Will be able select a suitable
man The salary allowed for a counsel. $1,000. in
the opinion Of some Of the commissioners Is not
sufficient 10 attract men Of the calibre desired
Among the lawyers who have declined to serve
are George L. Reeves and Albert B. Boardman
former counsel for the old Rapid Transit Commits
sion. These men said that they were not IN any
sense candidates for the position Among the men
who have either applied for the place or have been
considered as probable candidates are Oliver Z.
Semple. Alfred Il. Conklin nephew Of Roscoe
onkiiu), and Matthew Fleming who was counsel
for the Armstrong committee.
While the commissioners wish TO appoint coul.-
Sc Immediately, they Will make no choice .lrtl
they have found the man for the place who VIII
take the place"
We would rather have" said Mr.. Eustls yester-
day a lawyer who will devote his whole time 10
the work OF the commission than one Of greater
aolHty VINO would only devote part OF his time TO
the task. From the numerous applicants for the
place we certainly should be able TO find the right
man for *
runor in circulation yesterday was that Ira
Wis Whitney. who has Just been appointed secre-
tary. might be appointed counsel and new secre-
tary be chosen. This runor could not be
frTned
The commission for this district does not exnect
smooth sailing Commissioner EUstis said that he
expected the corporations at their earliest oppor-
tluity TO carry the public service bill into the
courts TO test its constitutcnality We will have
- proceed with great caution, said he, especially
ar the outset We should not issue any radical
orders that would give the corporations pretsxr
for lighting. The public service bill was passed bv
the state ard the people are right behind It, and
believe 4 will be upheld. II the city refuses 70
give Us money for our work. then I believe the
state Itself Will.
still should We start out by issuing drastic
orders, think the corporations would jump the
chance 10 carry the matter 10 the courts and while
do rot believe the bill would be declared Uncou-
stitGtional by any court IN the state and the
porate interests would have only fimsy pretext
for fight, set they have plenty Of money and able
lawyers. and that they will test the constitutional
fly Of the act sooner or later. with without pre-
tex. 90 not doubt. NJ experience as lawyer
has taught that i often happens that case IS
won when the lawyers themselves think they have
no chance OF winning"
Commissioner. that .ast remark seems szniA-
cant Do you mean il 20 be interpreted IN that
way q reporter asked.
We'll. no. / was simply thinking Of OF nv
experiences as q lawyer. do rot mean all that
! think the public service bill could be declared
constitutional"
Corporation Counsel Ellison has given no opinion
on the Legality Of the Controller turning the
balance the credit Of the old Rapid Transit Com
mission the new commission. Mr.. Ellison is
a
two or his men Al work II. II Is generally
thought that he will advise the Controller 70 turn
over tne money, amounting 70 over $4,000 70 the
commission.
There were no meetings Of the board yesterday
Only a Few new complaints were received at the
onces of the commission. but hundreds Of them
are expected to-day The commission expects 70
improve transit facilities in the city promptly by
forcing the transit companies TO use more Of their
present rolling stock. They unanimously believe
thai much more be done with the present IA
ciltles q The companies than IS done. II better
utilized.
First let them use their present stock 10 the
limit and use il so that it may be most effective
said Commissioner Bassett. Then. = that does not
I+-lTFe Inuch OF the congestion, We VIII take fur
ther steps such building lines. putting IN
new tracks and increasing the rolling stock"
II Is probable that the commission Will take steps
70 relieve the congestion the East Side Il"
Anes Immediately. Many complaints have been re-
eeiFea from that section. and prompt investge
non followed by decisive action. is expected.
another subject under consideration is that Of
s-tlng transfers from The subway and elevated
----'S 10 surface cars should II be- decided
Inere would be storm Of opposition from traction
mes The commission Is fully Of this, and
VIII be prepared TO meet il.
Commissioner Eustis said that in his opinion
single bureau could carry the work OF the old
Gas Commission and the State Inspector Of Gas
Meters. He said that he had been informed thai
j mad been the custom 10 inspect only q few
meters out 81 the number submitted. and II these
proved correct 20 approve officially the whole or.
That has got 10 stop" he said Every meter
should be tested separately. The Official seal
should mean something" Several Of the old force
q meter inspectors viii receive temporary appoint
inents to-day 70 carry the work of inspection
without interruption.
Commissioner Bassett received several delega-
tons - Brooklyn citizens 81 his home yesterday.
Each had some grievance that Il wanted corrected,
ana most OF the grievances against the Brook
Ign Rapid Transit. The Commissioner was repeal
eaiy told that he the hope Of Brooklyn The
proposed Coney Island subway also frequently
called 20 his attention.
Two meetings Of the commission VIII bs held to-
oay-one in the morning and in the afternoon.
A. the morning meeting the reports Of commit
tees will be read. and the work Of organization
continued In the afternoon the selection Of coun-
81 will be fully discussed. and II possible. some
o. tho complaints VIII be taken UP and arrange
m=nts made for investigating them.