New-York tribune., 1908-01-29
J. E. SIMMONS RESIGNS.
QUITS WATER BOARU.
Nezc Light on the Reason OF HIS
Appointment by Mayor.

7 Edward Simmons. president OF the nodIu oi
water supply yesterday resigned from the noard-
The Mayor accepted his resignation and sent d
letter to the Chamber of Commerce, whose presl-
dent happens to be Mr.. Simmons himself assn
- m s,ggast q successor to Mr.. Simmons
The resignation of Mr. Simmons brings TO the
front an interesting chapter of water board MS
tory 1t is a chapter known only to the lntiiiid1e
friends of Mr. Simmons and the Mayor III car
rying out his pledge to take the names Oh his
appointees from the Chamber of Commerce the
Board of Fire Underwriters and the Manufact-
urers' Association the Mayor was confronted
with an EN- EMBARRASSING situation as soon as the
Chamber of Commerce turned in its recon-
mendations.
One of the names suggested that of j.
Edward Simmons Another that of Cen
eraI Horace Porter. Mayor Mcclellan sent Tor
Mr. Simmons and asked him to take the place
Mr. Simmons said that he did not want IT, as ne
was much occupied with business affairs. ana
could not give it much time. The Mayor IN
sisted and said in substance that he would not
appoint General Porter. and that if he. Mr. SIM
MONS did not accept, it would leave him, the
Navor in an embarrassing situation, tnasmucn
as he was pledged TO accept some one suggested
bv the Chamber of Commerce. Mr.. Simmons
asked the Mayor why he did not appoint General
Porter
Because am the son of my father said the
Mayor
For the first time Mr.. Simmons then learned
that long ago there had been a bitter quarrel
between General Porter and General Mcclellan.
and that Mayor Mcclellan still felt resentment
toward General Porter on account of the old dlf-
ference Mr.. Simmons thereupon accepted the
appointment Mayor Mcclellan takes perhaps
more interest in the work of the board Of water
supply than IN any other city department. His
friends say that he wants the project carried for
ward TO completion monument 10 his ad-
rninstration In view of this fact il is entirely
likely that after the bond sale next month the
board of water supply, temporarily crippled be-
cause of lack Of funds. viii have plenty of money
to press its plans. The new commissioner prob
ably will be a Democrat and may be en-
gneer. The letters which passed yesterday
self-explanatory. They follow:
Hon. George B. Mcclellan. Mayor of New York
has long been my desire to retire from the Board
position TO which YOU did me the honor 10 ap-
point me II MAS WIN Ihe UNDERSTANDING m - az thaI
had been fairly organized and under way
from asking you TO accept my resignation by
of the public discussion in connection with the
awarding OF the Ashohan dam contract In regard
to that contract ! wish to say that am convinced
was wise and for the best interests OF the
This matter having been disposed of by you in
accordance with the decision of the CORPORATION
Counsel declaring that charges rejecting the
were not Justified I feel that I may properly
carry out my long preconceived intention and ask
TO be relieved from further service on the COM
mission. the always increasing duties or which
require more time than I give. In view Of the
/ many other duties and obligations that demand
therefore respectfully tender herewith nv res
ignation member Of the Board of Water
Supply.
Jan. %. 1905 J. EDWARD SIMMONS.
Hon J Edward simmons. No. a Nassau Street
Nv Dear Mr. Simmons: beg 10 acknowledge the
receipt of your letter rendering your resignation
as a member of the Board of Water Supply.
In arcco?fug YOUR resignation IL gives me much
. the Investigations and discussions in regard 10
the Ashokan dam contract has there been any
connection with the matter
am sending formal request 70 the Chamber
which to select your successor.
Very truly TGpcr y9uTs D ,,.cr rEIy-,>- ~,
Jan. IS 1908
Of the State OF New York New York City.
Sir: In accordance with my pledge made in 1895.
sctnent OF the bill creating the Board OF Water
i Supply ] would call the Chamber Of Com
meTce the Board OF Fire Underwriters and the
Manufacturers Association for a list of three
names each. and that from those names I would
appoint as commissioners one from each list. and
! tha: <hould any vacancy occur during my admin
I israt;on I would hll such vacancy in the same
manner as should appoint the original commits
( Of the Chamber of Commerce TO submit TO me in
writing the names of three citizens of the United
States and residents of the city Of New York. one
Of whom I shall appoint member Of the Board OF
/ Water Supply 20 NIL the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Mr.. J. Edward Simmons.
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN Mayor