Evening star., 1907-10-24

it as easy and pleasant as possible, but we
will compel them to live up to their obli-
cations and help them to do so. No poll
tics will be tolerated. The governor viii
not stand for it. He has shown his dis
position very plainly and we know his
wishes. 1t is a public service and not
party service commission. L think that
has been illustrated very clearly by the
investigation that Is now going on. The
disclosures have involved just as many
republicans as democrats-perhaps more
of them-but we have not stopped for
moment to consider whom the investlga-
ton would help or hurt.
Learning the Facts.
"Our first duty is to inquire into condi-
tions and circumstances affecting the pub
lie utilities over which we have jurisdic-
ton 1t is necessary for us to know all
the facts concerning the financial and
physical history of the various transpor-
tation systems before attempting 10 zeal
with them. 1t is necessary for us to
know the obligations of the companies
and how they were incurred and what they
stand for. We could not act inteligently
without such information. We must as
sumo that there is nothing In the history
of these various corporations that the
| stockholders and bondholders, the COM
mission and the public at large should not
know. We are acting for them and for the
public and they will not be satished with
outcry for the real facts and conditions
| for many years and we propose to put on
record a history of the traction system OF
| New York before We do anything else.
The first duty of our commission" con-
tinued Chairman Wilcox. lis to ascertain
the truth, and when, the conditions are
all disclosed those things which require
| a remedy will receive the attention tney
deserve. Yes, the commission mas the
power to enforce its recommendations. the
| will ha
on whom it may concern to show cause
why the recommendations OF the commls-
! sion should not be carried out. The COM
| pany will have a full hearing and every
opportunity to explain and make clear
| the effect of the change contemplated
Then, after such hearing, the commits
sion may either withdraw or amend lts
recommendations or issue an order re-
curing the company to do what is asked
| That order becomes effective upon given
day and the company is subject to pen
atty of 81 0W day for every day that II
| refuses to comply. The fine ma% be col
| lected by the regular process of law ana
goes into the city treasury, for the benefit
| Of the taxpayers.
Personnel of the Commissions.
The public services law. as they call it.
went into effect July !. last and two COM
missions were appointed as follows:
| For the first district, consisting Oh
Greater New York-Wiliam R. Wilcox.
| Manhattan, chairman; William McCar-
roll Brooklyn; Edward NJ. Bassett
Brooklyn: Milo Roy Maltbie, Manhattan
| John e. Eutis the Bronx.
| Second district. consisting of the re-
| rnainder of the state: Fran, w. Stevens.
| Jamestown, chairman; Thomas Mott Os-
borne. Auburn; Charles Halam Keep,
Buffalo; James f. Sague. New Ham
burg: Martin c. Decker. New Paltz.
The commission for Greater New York.
| organized at once after appointment,
| adopted rules, took permanent offices In
| the Tribune building, appointed William
| and ordered an investigation into the or
| ganiZa ton and the transactions of the
| Interborough Company, which controls
all the underground. surface and elevated
| passenger traffic of the city.
Sensational Disclosures.
Mr. Shonts, president of that corpora
ton and recently chairman of the Pana-
| ma canal commission, was the first wit
! ness. He gave a general review Of his
duties and the condition of the physical
property of the company. Various other
| officials were called to give testimony and
experts were appointed to examine the
books of the corporation. which have re-
/ suited in some sensational disclosures.
But the sensations have only just begun.
1t is proposed to uncover the long and
scandalous history of the New 4ork
transportation system. This will involve
the reputation of the late William c.
Whitney and other prominent men, both
dead and alive. but the scandal Is an old
one; it has been the subject Of newspaper
and public discussion for score Of years
or more. Books have been written about
lit and the magazines regularly contain
articles on the subject. 1t is one Of the
most prolific themes of the muckraker,
but there has always been more or less
doubt as to the accuracy of some OF the
charges and the pending investigation
will determine the truth.
Il Mr.. William NJ. WINS was made the