New-York tribune., 1907-07-02
WILLC0X'SMEN ATW WORK
OLD COMMISSIONS DEAD.
Heads of old Boards Leaue DUTY
of Surrender to Clerks.

The Public Utilities Commission for New York
City officially went into existence shortly after
o'clock yesterday. when it's members Chairman
Wilcox and Milo Roy NGaltbie. of Manhattan; John
p Eustis of The Bronx; William McCarroH and
Edward NJ Bassett, of Brooklyn were sworn in
before Justice Charles w Dayton, in his private
chambers in the County Courthouse. The COM
mission went promptly 10 work making the rounds
OF the commissions which IL supersedes.
In turn. the commissioners visited the offices
or the inspector of gas meters the gas commits
soners. the rapid transit board and the board
OF railroad commissioners. 1t was noticeable that
the commissioners were received by clerks or sec
retarles of the commissions they relieved, with
one exception-the inspector OF gas meters, who
received them in person. Not railroad rapid
transit or gas commissioners was on hand TO re-
ceive the new commission and to turn over into
Its hands the affairs of the commissions.
Chairman Wilcox said that the appointments of
counsel and secretary had not been made. Il will
have statement to make tomorrow, he said.
Does that mean that You will announce the ap-
pointments then. he was asked
We'll. I made my last remark advsedly,' he
smlingly replied.
win you give US the list of candidates." re-
porter asked.
NO because I have not opened 1t myself he
Travis II. whitney. Albany representative of the
Citizens Union. frequently mentioned yester-
day prominent candidate for secretary to the
commission. Mr.. Whtney's work in Albany this
year is considered by mis- friends to entitle him
to consideration. Luther b Little is another can
didate.
III the Postoiice building shortly after 10 o'clock
Yesterday morning. There they had q long wait
lor their commissions. which We're 10 come from
the Governor at Albany, About noon th> comInis-
sions came. and after little Informal talk, the
commissioners started for the Courthouse. where
they We're sworn in. Immediately after taking the
oath of office they TO the Drug club. at No.
l1p William street. where they the guests of
COMMISSIONS McCarrol at luncheon,
After luncheon the commission performed its
first official at by going 10 the office Of the in
spector Of meters and taking over the business
and an1rs of The office, Inspector Alexander was
'on the joh. as he expressed It. received the COM
missoners pei eIsonally. and told them that he gave
up his office with great regret, bat that mis- time
had come The former inspector also explained
To Chairman Wilcox that the office OF inspector
- meters was one that required man on the JOB
all the time for the welfare Of the city.
The office Of the gas commission next vis-
tied. There the commissioners We're received by
clerk. They held short meeting in an inner office
and then to the Offices of the Rapid Transit
Commission. at No go Broadway. Mr.. Rice the
chief engineer. and Secretary Eiou l.. Burrows
were there TO turn over the affairs Of that comus-
slp3.
they then wen, to the Offices OF the railroad
commission. where they We're met bv clerk This
completed the work for the daF. The commission
Will meet this morning AT the Offices occupied by
the railroad commission and VIII hold its meet
. iuES there temporarily.
We have had a busy day" said Chairman VIII
. cox, after it all over, and all very.
I Very tired. We organized to-day and then took
IN" affairs Of the commissions that the utili-
lies bin has leEisated out Of existence We have
decided 10 divide up in the morning. one mem
her Will fully INTO the work or OF tho
. commissions We relieved, another will he assigned
/ 10 another. and forth Then will all meet
here In the afternoon and discuss the work each
has done ami possibly take up other business
we'll. That Is all there Is 10 say to-day. hut to-
morrow l will hay" statement to make"
The commissioners made their tour in an auto
mobile and cabs
~ the ofRce of the railroad commission one of
the utilities commissioners tried 10 the tele-
phone, hut found that the railroad commission in
VaCating had given up the lease OF the telephone.
The now commission Will retain the services OF
some Of the clerks OF the old commissions tor the
present until they thoroughly familiar with
the routine work Of the deceased commissions and
the present status Of their affairs
When the commission officially assumed its
duties six rapid transit commits ssiouers, two OK
oicio rapid transit commissioners, hve railroad
commissioners, three gas commissioners and
inspectors Of gas meters ceased exist officially.
Not detailing the salaries of the suh-ofTiccrs and
employees OF these commissions which include
engineer for the rapid transit commission at SIS 600
year. and assistant engineer AT $1,000 a year.
the annual payroll of the state was decreased by
the following amounts:
Six rapid transit commissioners. $4,000 each $50 600
rb @ a,,,i ,Hsr xs oEn os ''' y. d'V ,sp
one gas meter inspector. 5000
To the payro!ls. the other hand are added the
salaries Of nve commissioners at $5,o0O year, and
other employees OF the commission including a
counsel at N0.o0 and secretary at 5000 year
The Rapid Transit Commissioners were Alexan-
der e. Orr, president; J H. starin, viCe-president;
Woodbury. I.angdon. Morris Is. Jesup. Lewis Cass
I.edyard, Charles s. Smith and the Mayor and Con-
troiler, x-oficio members.
The railroad commissioners were George ".
Dunn chairman: +. NJ Baker. j NJ. Dlckey,
George w. Aldridge and Fl. n. Rockwell
The gas commissioners Lucian L. Shedden.
John c. Davies and Frederic f Gunnison
The Inspector of gas meters was Jastrow Alex
ander.
TvDCT, AVN Do fDn JFITEvJrC