New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-08
something like the
record Of his

photo by stcffen }

record OF MS predecessor.
photo by stcften)
above other public offices has been the
absence Of politicians of any brand.
The advent of Commissioner j. Ser
seant Cram two years ago did not bring
any Tammany men around. but con-
troll of the commission had not passed
into the hands of the Democrats.
But TO return to Senator Fitzgerald and
his visit Of Yesterday. He walked night
in. without the formality Of announcing
himself to any Office boys. He looked
around the outer~ofice bit. then walked
down the hall to the closed door of the
chairmans room. He made no move to
go in there but turned back and. pushing
back q gate. went down through the main
Office without noticing couple of clerks
who FASTENED To ask him what ne wanted.
When lac came to the door on which the
name of Commissioner cram was printed
he walked right in.
"Hello. Sergeant" he saluted familarly.
| The door was shut. Later Senator Fitz-
gerald left the offices. lie made no at
tempt TO see Chairman Mccall
Soon after tho new chairman arrived
| the other members of the commission. the
secretaries and the heads OF various de-
partments and bureaus were called into
| the chairman's room. The retiring chair
man i'm a graceful speech welcomed his
successor
Your reputation in the community,
Io 10 ~ &c favnsPt Df
the good work that is most confidently
expected from you. You will find thia
work laborlous and difficult but ] hope
will find il not without It's satisfacuons.
Mr. Wilcox went on 10 say that he
wanted TO commend the new chairman 10
his colleagues and them TO him. i par
ticularly want To speak of the excellence
of the staff that has been built mp in the
last five years and half" he added.
They are hard working and painslakin2
men. The only standards We have III
appointments from the competitive ana
, non-competitivc classes are faithiulness
and efficiency. Even now | do not know
The politics or religion of a vast majority
OF them. If | can be Of any assistance 10
YOU by reason OF my experience mere !
hope YOU Will command me at any time.
Mccall Hopes to Equal Wilcox.
Chairman Mccall showed considerable
feeling as he said in reply:
am at loss TO properly and fully
express myself on my Induction mo OF
flee. These gracious words OF the re
firing chairman add greatly TO my en-
barrassnent. II ] can attain TO ahythlhS
like the record that has been yours l
shall feel myself deserving OF the com
mendation and respect OF the well think
ing community that constitutes our cit!:
No one man is entitled To higher REGARD
and greater respect for his devotion to
work and for the unse!iish iaDor man
YOU Mr. Chairman ! wish could IN
more emphatic utterancc express 10 you
the gratitude | feel as a citizen FOR the
unccaaing and untiTinS LABOR you nave
rendered as pubic onlcef.
If 1 can attain TO one small part OF
the record YOU have made ! shall teel
perfectly satisfied The community can
without the slightest ungrudS!ns thouGht.
thank YOU for your Work ana what you
have attained.
/ wish YOU could have continued in Of
flee not only for the present but ioi
another term. and then Tor sun an3 ,, y,
YOU so desired While ! was reluctant
10 take this office and was desirous 10
continue In my former field or endeaVor,
the call came. and there was no alterna-
take office in the light Of great
embarrassment in view OF the record
you have obtained.
Then Mr.. Wilcox introduced the new
chairman all around. after which the two
vert back into conference for an hour.
Friends of the new chairman sent a large
horseshoe of roses
To Resume Law Practice.
ON retrins Mr. Wilcox said he IN
tended going back 10 his law practice at
No. 100 Broadway. lie will spend several
davs at the Offices Of the commission
however. rendering all The assistance pos
sible to the new chairman.
The first act Of the commission after
the new chairman had gone into once
was 10 let the contract for the constfuc-
lion of Section OF the Woodside, As
,oria and Corona line. 1t went TO the
lowest bidder. the T. H. Smith Contract
iro Compauy, for s2,065, 5ss The award
was made the same day the bids were
on.ned because the successful nrm mas
inst finished two sections OF the Fourth
avenue subway, thus demonstrating lts
at,l,,v IN do the work. Chairman Mccall
,ooL M mart in the meeting OF which the
u,ard was made, remaining in conference
with Mr.. WILCOX.
Borough President McAneny. chairman
Of the conference committee OF the Board
NJ Estimate. paid tribute last night TO
the retiring chairman. He said
believe that Mr.. Wilcox. as he leaves
of,cc deserves the grateful praise OF the
whole CITY. Although through accidental,
circumstance his name ~ MOI ACTUAL!
.ipned 10 the contracts II VIII be IN the
nemorv of the people and am sure that
Imdae Mccall Is content that II should De
en- / have always believed that MT VIII
Gov in bringing the Board OF Estimate
into closer conference with his commits,
eion two wears ago. performed one OF the
"reatest of his public services. For the
ondIess chain of letters and RESOLUTIONS
and constant disagreement. ne substi-
tuted the plan of getting around a table
and talking II out. AS no act OF the
conmission leading to the framing OF
Contracts Is valid without the approval oil
TN" BOARD of Estimate the two bodies
we,e hound TO share responsibility. and IN
canning into agreement upon IA plan a.,
centaIlc 10 both. before formal action had
hecn taken by either they put an ehd 10
the constant waste of time.
+, President McAneny w;nt OH 10 say ne