Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-31
PUBLIC SERVICE
BOARD ANALYZED
Pittsburgh Gazette-Times Compli-
ments Governor Tener's Lat
est Appointment

The Pittsburgh GaZette-Times has
this to say editorially about the States
Public Service Commission:
Owing to the death last Spring of
Judge Nathaniel Ewing, chairman of
that body, Governor Tener has found
it necessary to reorganize the Public
Service Commission of Pennsylvania
Former Governor Samuel w. Penny
packer, who was named with the orig
inal commission on August /, 1913,
for an eight-year term, has been made
chairman, being appointed to Judge
Ewing's uneXpired term of ten years,
thus giving him more than eight and
one-half years yet to serve. The other
original commissioners, s. Larue Tone,
nine years; Emory r. Johnson, seven
years; Milton J. Brecht, six years;
Charles Frederick Wright, five years,
and Frank M. Wallace, four years, are
reappointed, four of them gaining an
extension of one yeaF to their original
termS-and to the list, for the remain
ing two years and seven months of Mr..
Wallace's original term, is added new
commissioner in the person of Walter
II. Gather, formerly Pittsburgh
newspaperman, who has been four
years the Governors secretary at Har-
risburg and was his secretary two
years while Mr.. Tener was a member
of Congress.
The Public Service Commission,
with it's salaries of $4,000 year and
the far reach of its official duties, is
second to no instrumentality of the
Commonwealth at the Ctate Capital
1t suffered a severe loss in the death
of Judge Ewing, who had displayed
conspicuous qualities in that commits
sion as we'll as on the old State Rail
road Commission, of which he was
also chairman. The new commission
with broader powers and Jurisdiction,
has been notably successful in dealing
with utility problems, and recently
won a larger measure of public con-
fidence by its adjustment of differ
ences affecting the transportation com
panies. 1t constitutes one of the most
important contributions of the Tener
administration to legislation directly
concerning the people. In promoting
its effectiveness and thoroughness
Judge Pennypacker has been power
full and far-seeing force. Particularly
is his opinion in the anthracite case
of a fortnight ago generally regarded
as a mastery document Governor
Tener, therefore, has made no mistake
in elevating the Ex-Governor to the
craftsmanship.
The nomination of Mr.. Gather to
the vacant commissionership is a per-
sonal appointment by the executive.
His close and confidential association
with Governor Tener, who has had
every opportunity to test his capacity
and measure his merits during the
past six years, led to his selection for
a post in which the Governor is conf
dent he will give new proofs of ability
to acquit himself with credit and to
the public's satisfaction. This appoint
ment. moreover, is a. graceful recogni-
ton by the Governor of the newspaper
profession in connection with the op-
Grafton OF the most valuable supple
mental agency of the State established
during his administration and fol
many years. Mr.. Gather, in the re-
sponsiDle position of secretary 10 the
Governor, by fidelity. efficiency and ma.
tive aptitude in application, commend.
ed himself to favorable consideration
by his chief for higher honors and du.
ties. His selection, therefore, is nat
ural as that OF one qualified, with his
associates, to give effect and expires.
sion to the spirit of the public service
law for which Governor TeneI's ad.
ministration always will be distln,
guished."