New-York tribune., 1907-05-26
Constant Reader Tells What He
Missed an the Newspapers.

7 see by the headlines that Governor Hughes
has got his utilities BILL" said Busy Man, as he
approached his friend Constant Reader and
looked for his accustomed seat
Not exactly" the reply, but he has
just good as got it Under the pressure Of
an emergency message from the Governor the
State Senate, with substantial unanimity. passed
the measure and the Assembly. which had pre-
viously put IT through, concurred in the slight
amendments which had been made by the upper
house. The bill as passed hurried to Mayor
Mcclellan, who has given the public hearing
upon it required by law for all city measures
While he is expected to veto It the ground
that it infringes the principle of home rule in
that the appointment Of the commission for
New York City is not put in the hands of the
Mayor. he will not delay action. and the bin
VIII be hurried back TO Albany. Then the Leg
islature may be depended upon to repass It, and
the Governor viii not fail to sign an enactment
which carries out TO the fullest degree his ideas
Of reform in public service"
What viii he have TO do under the new law?"
The Governor will be called upon to select
two commissions Of FIVE men each TO take
charge OF the supervision of the management or
all the railroads steam or electric. in the state
and also OF corporations which furnish gas or
electricity for public private use The new
road Commission, the Rapid Transit Commits
SION OF this city. the State Commission of Gas
and Electricity, and the Inspector of Gas
Meters. The state is divided into two dis
tricts. one of which is the five boroughs of
New York City and the other the rest OF the
state Each member OF the new commissions
must be a resident Of the district for which he
is appointed The power Of appointment con-
he'reo IN the Governor is the most extensive
that any state executive has ever had Each of
the ten commissioners is to receive salary If
$4,000, which is 80 per cent greater than that
OF the Governor himself and equal TO that Of
the Mayor and OF the Corporation Counsel of
tnis city. The members OF the new MunicinaI
Water Board receive $1,000 a year each rrbs
new commissions will each have secre.ary ~
so.oo year and q counsel at $4,000 and the
pay OF other subordinates is left TO the cor,,,is
sions
VIII the new law limit the power of corpora-
tions which perform public service?"
Ihat is Its purpose and II has been most
carefully drawn By the Governor and his legal
advisers to secure this end and every possible
safeguard has been thrown around the control
OF railway corporations. not with any aim n,
hampering their operations but for the Dur
pose Of promoting the public welfare One OF
the most important matters to come within the
purview of the city commission will be the ex-
tension Of the rapid transit service under. on and
above the city streets and the waters which
separate the parts Of the city In the choice
OF men for commissioners the Governor will be
called upon TO exercise wise discretion The sal
ary was put at high figure so that men of emil
nent ability would be able to accept appoint
ment No commissioner will by the law be al
lowed TO hold any official relations with the
corporations over which he will have control
Dut snoatd ne desire TO divest himself of his
stock in company in order to qualify himself
10 accept appointment that wouls be entirely