New-York tribune., 1910-09-24
Wrote to Mr.. McCarroll.

1 have long recognized that it would be
impracticable for me to take the respon-
sibility of important construction work un-
der existing conditions, and before sailing
for Europe for my recent vacation / in
formed Acting Chairman McCarroll that
such conditions could no longer continue.
detailed management of the engineering
department without regard to recommen-
dations of the chief engineer has led to
its utter decentralization.
neer eliminated during your recent visit to
Europe, when l was expected to approve
opinion and to recommend the adoption
Of plans which had previously made un-
der protest. If this condition continues in
the prosecution of work estimated at s120,-
eVO,0O0. 1t will mean disaster to the work
and to the reputation of those ostensibly
responsible for il.
There should. in my opinion. be individual
responsibility at the head Of every depart
ment and proper help and full authority
for outlining and conducting its work.
Without this no great public work can be
successfully performed.
In the absence Of Chairman Wilcox,
Acting Chairman McCarroIl made the fol-
lowing statement in reply TO Mr.. Seaman's
letter:
The resignation of Mr. Seaman was asked
py the commission some time ago; conse-
light.
Months ago, when the triborough plans
sion considered that because of their i'm
portance they should be most carefully
studied. Commissioners Maltbie, Bassett
ana EuStiS were appointed a committee and
were aided by consulting engineers This
review of the plans was resented by Mr.
Seaman, but the commission insisted on its
right TO secure the fullest information pos
sible in order that the plans might produce
q system as capacious and economical as
possible.
Acting on its Judgment and on advice OBJ
tanned, the committee from time to time
suggested changes in the plans. and it may
be said that on the important ones Mr..
seaman, after discussion, agreed.
Unity and hearty cooperation in the
force were lessened, by the attitude taken
oy MI Seaman and by what the commits
SION leIt was lack of executive ability. This
mas rendered necessary the adoption of
or the men in the department. Conditions
nnally, however, became such that the
commission felt IT necessary to ask for the
resignation of its chief engineer
AS matter of fact, for over a month
MI; Seaman has been on leave of absence
and Alfred Craven has been acting chief
engineer. Immediately on receipt of the
letter from Mr.. Seaman he was SUSPENDED
and relieved from all duties as chief en-
gineer.
When seen at his home, No 40 Clinton
street. Brooklyn, Mr.. Seaman said he was
tined, after three years of considerable
work with the Public Service Commission,
and that he intended to prolong his vaca-
ton in order to get good rest before en-
saging in any other work.
Refuses to Add to Letter.
LAS to whether my resignation is a vol
untary one or not and as to its causes 1
have nothing TO add to my letter." said
Mr.. Seaman. 'I have worded 1t with great
care, and If the commission should assume
an unfriendly attitude toward me there
will be time enough to reply in Z few days
Il believe firmly in the need Of q public
service commission: it is an ideal institu-
ton. but il therefore needs ideal men,"
Mr.. Seaman was appointed chief engi-
reer TO the ublic Service Commission in
October, 1907, and assumed Office on De-
cember 1 of the same year, succeeding
George S. Rice, who became assistant en-
gineer. The salary of the chief engineer
is $1,000 a year.
The resignation of George s. Rice from
the engineering staff OF the Public Service
Commission was explained by Mr.. McCar-
roll as entirely voluntary.
The resignation of Mr.. Rice as chief Of
the bureau of subway construction has
nothing TO do with the situation as to Mr..
Seaman" was the Commissioners state
ment- mir. Rice resigned voluntarily. He
made the original determination on the
100000 claims filed by the Interborough
and felt that as long as they were in lti-
CATION he should stay with the commission
to help sustain its cause In view, how
ever, of the favorable settlement of the
matter In the Saratoga conference he felt
that he could now resign"
One OF the main reasons for the resigna-