New-York tribune., 1907-06-30
AFTER UTILITIES PLUMS
NO APPOINTMENTS YET.
General Satisfaction OUer Governor
HugheS's Commissioners.

10 appointment 10 the coveted position Of coun-
sci for the Public Utilities Commission was made
yesterday This position, carrying with Il $4,000
salary, has least two hundred applicants, and
there viii be large number Of disappointed ones
when the appointment IS announced who will ad-
vance numerous reasons, satisfactory TO themselves
at least. why they individually. should have been
appointed.
Because Of this vacancy the official lives OF the
newly appointed Utilities Commissioners were made
miserable yesterday Would-be counsel and friends
besieged them throughout the day, begging them 10
use their influence 10 get the candidates appointed.
Another place eagerly sought Is that of secretary
to the commission. This position carries a salary
Of 5000. Luther B. Little secretary of the State
Republican Committee, is thought by many TO be
the most probable man for the place.
The Public Utilities Commission for New York
City VIII hold fits first meeting at O'Clock to-
morrow, the Office Of the non-eXistent rapid
transit commission, at No. 800 Broadway Accord
ing 10 Chairman Wilcox. the commission will
lect later larger offices at some other place but for
the present No. 500 Broadway Will be the Of
its operations. There VIII be short Office hours
or holidays for the commission The utilities bill
is very explicit that point One Of its pro-
visions IS that ''the Office Of each commission shall
be open from a. n. 10 u p. m every day in the
year
Governor Hughes had a long talk with Chairman
Wilcox over the long distance telephone yesterday
Neither the Governor nor Mr. Wilcox would dis
their conversation, except TO say that II was
general talk about the utilities bill, the commis-
with each member Of the city commission, and
there Will be absentees at to-norrows meeting.
Several problems requiring immediate solution
await the commission. Broohynites viii be after
the commissioners from the start for a Fourth
avenue subway But the initial work of the com
mission VIII be 10 take into rs jurisdiction an tne
local business and affairs Of the Rapid Transit
Commission. the State Gas and Electricity Com
mission and the inspector OF gas meters.
To do this the commissioners VIII have TO go
from lower Manhattan 10 Madison Square
Whether they VIII make the trip by subway in
Tl.0 l1S
commissioners laUghinEly remarked that II would
he ..rolitf, and conducive of public confidence TO
50 foot" When they take over the business Of
the Gas Commission they Will at the same time
neve three commissioners Of $3.50 salaries
The personnel OF the two utilities commissions
the subject for general discussion throughout
the state yesterday. Politicians satisfied
entirely with the Governors selections some OF
tie typical machlne' men say that he has not
taken fun advantage Of an excellent opportunity
70 strengthen the party by conferring patronage"
TINS, however does not appear TO be the sentiment
generally shared by the great majority of the peo-
pie Of the state hundreds OF congratulatory tele
grams have been received by the Governor COM
raeLding him for the style Of men he has selected
for commissioners. A prominent Republican leader
in this city said Yesterday: III would be hard 70
select men more capable Of performing the duties
iItr1s-ed TO them than those Governor Hughes
lectel- HIS selections are typical Of the him
self-ole Of the greatest men the party has
produced The state may rest assured that il will
be honestly and capaoy served by the new comnis-
i is the general opinion in this city that there
VIII be 10 Hsurehe2ds in the New York city com
MISSION. commissioners all indi-
NIlUa.Ity and energy said Assemblyman. The
men are possessed % distinct personality and ideas
Trouble. i there be any, will arise from lack OF
uuaDiulty. Zach man may believe strongly IN
what he thinks that he viii be unable accept
anything else Again. they have all confidence IN
Inet- aDl1ty 10 settle the vast problems that they
WIZ face. Don't understand imply that they
are eEltisticaI 1 mean that their study Of big
problems has given them confidence IN themselves
70 cope with other and even greater ones"
Speaking Of the commission and what was
Tectsd IF il, one Of The commissioners said yes
teTcay- u hardly expect tie public 70 be satisfied
Tita what accomplish; at least, the first
year Or TWO. The utilities biz has been written Of
so much that we az have more or less the idea
THAI = IS The specific pauaCaa that will bring the
millennium. We win have . face great dficuIties
and much VIII be xpected Of that fear some
VIII De- disappointed over the amount accomplished
II J. great opportunity % serve the state and
all VII do best"
There Is some disappointment among the civic
G.z2t-ons in Queens thai man from that
borough was appointed a utilities commissioner
There were several candidates from the borough
ard Queens thought that at least one Of these
would be appointed. Their confidence was increased
because Queens = greatly interested IN the devel
oprueur OF new and improved rapid transit facili-
ties. They console themselves with the belief that
Mr. Rassett VIII be particularly energetic IN look
Ing after the interests Of their neighborhood.
Besides the appointment OF counsel and q secre-
tary, there VIII have TO be appointed a board OF
engineers and several minor officers for the COM
mission