New-York tribune., 1907-10-27

though. that feeling Of dissatisfaction with the
organization Of the engineering department has
existed since the commission took Office and got
down 70 work. For several weeks Cuiet inVesti-
gation has been on foot, and Mr.. Seaman's ap-
pontment IS taken TO portend rather general
reorganization of tnat branch of the commissions s
service.
Mr. Rice was made chief engineer OF the Rapid
Transit Commission when William Barclay Par
sons, the engineer in charge of the subway con-
struction. resigned about two years ago. He has
been in charge of about all Of the work the
Battery tunnel to Brooklyn Much trouble has
been experienced with Il. When the Public Ser
vice Commission took the duties of the old
Rapid Transit Commission. the discovery
made that not only we're there additional defects
IN the tubes beyond those encountered up that
time, but that the chief engineer on his
sponsibiity had also taken steps 10 correct these
defects. The commissioners disapproved his course
in not reporting the actual condition of the Brook
lyn tubes 20 the board before taking those remedial
measures
Blow-0Uts had become so frequent IN one sec
Tion Of the tunnel that Mr.. Rice decided that the
walls needed strengthening. His method consisted
of putting in sort of interlining which reduced
the bore OF the tunnel much that II will be i'm
possible ever 10 use cars Of a height or width
greater than that contemplated IN the original
plans At the time there was gossip about an
enforced resignation on the part Of Mr.. Rice
Members Of the commission denied that he had
been asked 10 resign. The general belief yester-
day that this the solution reached bv
the commission. Mr.. Rices services ever since the
beginning Of subway work have been valuable; +;
his knowledge Of the work now under Wav is
of value also, but there is authority the state
Tnent that the commission decided that much bet
ter results could be obtained with new chief
engineer.
At present Alfred Craven ranks as assistant
chlet engineer. with a salary OF $4,000 a year. He
VIII continue as assistant with that salary so
that from December !, when Mr Rice's resigna
ton IS chief engineer takes effect there viii he
two assistant chief engineers.
Nj Seaman, Mr.. Rces successor is a natva
Of New York City He was graduated 60
Swarthmore College in 1851
After three years Of service with the Erie Eau
road Company. in which he was employed on san-
eral construction work he became associated ,,.h
the work on the Kings County Elevated TIre -
Brooklyn. de then entered the emnIov oF ~
bridge department Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Later Mr. Seaman was engaged for tbrea ,,aor.
with Wilson Brothers, in Philadelphia as nr4nc,-
pal assistant engineer.
Ihen he made business connection with +ba
Erie Railroad Company in the capacity Of bridge
engineer, and for two years had charqa 10 brid9o
work on that line from New York TO C.btcaeo
FoAoW1ng this. Mr.. Seaman was engaged bv the
Ne" 1ork, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Com
pany' N charge Of general construction vorl, tya
nad charge Of the engineering work for the s,,h-
contractor OF the Fourth avenue sec+fop =, ~
subway Soon after that he was called on nv tba
department Of Bridges OF New York CITY 20 serve
as consulting engineer
aI seaman believing It would be Of assIs+,,,.
AZ his Work, studied law, and was admitted 20 e.
oar IN this state. He is a member of the Ar,or,oa
oIe'y OF CiVll Engineers. the American socie+v
OF Mechanical Engineers. the BROOKLYN FTne4noa.,
Cluo' the New York Engineers Club and the
American Institute Of Mining Engineers H. 60 70
past director OF the American socie+,, 20 ~, a, a
Engineers. and past vice-president os ~, ~,
iyn Engineers. Club VAC DiOoA-