New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-31
Try to Blame Reel for Needless
State Expense, but Find
Peck Is Responsible.
"SCAPEG0AT" HITS BACK
Counsel for Sulzer Committee
Exults in a Dramatic Start,
but His Examination
Ends in a Farce.
by Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Albany, Jan. SIT is becoming ac-
ceptcd around the Capitol that the mis-
takes Of the Sulzer investigators Will
make them famous. To the sad indiscre-
ton Of advising the Governor TO abolish
the state Department of Weights ana
Measures TO achieve economy
economy which would have left the con-
sumers OF the state at the mercy or
short weight provision thieves-the IN
vestigators have added another. which
sesms likely TO make necessary real in
ouirv into one Of the departments pre-
sided over by faithful Murphy men.
Tbi. second mistake. though innocently
made has serious consequences. Begin
rlr- IN drama, il ended in farce.
Gordon Reel. Superintendent of High
WAYS. apparently has been selected by the
su,zer committee az scapegoat Tor all
,na ro,sdeeds Of the Highways Depart
mont during the Dix administration
nrncan Il. Peck, Superintendent OF PUP
pc Works. reappointed by Governor SUI
,.r is loyal 10 Charles F. Murphy
,houob he halls from Syracuse. Reel has
t.e, subjected TO all kinds Of investiga-
An
animation.
Reel was grilled yesterday concerhihs
complaints against his department the
excessive cost of repairs and the Ike
The investigators counsel was soiHs
through a batch Of letters. flnail!' ho
picked out one and exulted.
Now nere's a letter" said he WHICH
saws the Superintendent OF Bridges IN
Erie County gets $3.50 year, though
his chief duty is 10 walk over oriuse
about once a month 10 see II II VIII pear
his weight: that he really works ABOUT
a dav a month. finds time 70 run pioh'-
sh,s saloon in hfs spare moments and on
tho hourly basis. lie the highest PAID en-
Move IN the state. What have to say 10
that, Mr.. Reel?"
Reel seemed dazed. Finally. his assist
an, who phompts him on details of de-
partmeut business, came TO MS iescue ~
a whispered conversation.
We'll, could not identity TINS man
myself" he answered, blandly' pu' NY
chief of staff tells me the superintendent
of Bridges YOU refer to is under the SUI
pervision Of Mr.. Peck.
The examination passed TO other mat
ters.
II is said on the highest authority tha'
,be investigation of Mr.. PecR's depart
mon, will occupy more than half an hour'
Tho Governors committee OF inquiry
,,,ore "a have a report concerning the
,,arcial condition Of the state depart
,,,onts ready for submission 10 the Legs
rat,Irc on March 1. so that the legislature
committees may begin work on the an
NAL apuropriation and supply bills. the
Investigators expect 10 conclude puohc
hearings i'm three weeks.
pr + J. O'Cinnell Health Oihcer OF
the Por, of New York. submitted to the
committee to-day his schedule FOR IN
creae;na the state fees for inspecting ana
lprniga,ing vessels, by which, he says the
administration of the port can be carried
an without expense to the state. ne
present Law prescribes an arbitrary max
mum fee. applicable TO all vessels III
oConnelrs recommendation includes a
Gliding scale. by which large vessels Wouid
he forced TO pay proportionately larger