New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-10
WHITMAN TO END
MCCALL REGIME
Continued from page I

their inquiry-maj ority, minority Re-
publican and minority Democratic. The
preparation of the minority Republican
report followed stormy session this
morning, at which Senator Lawson and
Assemblymen Knight and McQuistion
differed from the other Republicans.
They held that the ma jority report was
too mild and that the Thompson COM
mittee was empowered to pass on the
efficiency Of the commissioners.
While the ma GRITTY report deals
largely with fact and with the evil
dence before the committee, the sup
Elementary statement goes on 10 draw
conclusions, charging the commission
ers with neglect of duty, but recon-
mending that the Governor give them
a hearing before taking further action.
Justify Drawing Conclusions.
The reason for the supplementary
report were thus summed up by As
semblyman knight:
I'VE worked for three weeks trying
to learn whether the commission was
efficient. We decided 70 state our con
illusions in our report, Notwithstanding
the fact that other members or the
committee wanted the report 70 CON
tain only a summary of the testimony,
SO that the Governor could act without
any recommendation on our part. In
our opinion the resolution authorizing
the Investigation requires us 70 draw
conclusions from the evidence.
The conclusion Of the supplemental
report follows:
From the facts stated IN the ma
jority opinion. and those above given.
our conclusion is that the Public Ser
vice Commissioners Of the First Dis
trict have not been efficient in the ad-
ministraton of the affairs Of their Of
fees. have been dilatory in the dlspo-
sition OF complaints and have neglected
their duties, in that they have failed
to enforce and put in operation, for
the benefit Of the public, the purposes
of the Public Service Commissions
law"
The report of the majority was thus
summarized:
"In short. your committee finds that
the commissioners of the First Dis
trict have not put in operation the
provisions of the Public Service Com
missions law for the regulation Of pub
lie service corporations in a manner
which has produced the results reason
ably 10 be expected
The Democratic minority report says
that the commission is not only over
crowded with work, but the law con-
tains many "jokers" which favor cor
pOrations regulated by il, and that, IN
spite of these conditions. the commits
sion has exhibited marked efficiency
in building the subway system
There was considerable speculation
here to-day as to the authorship OF the
bill introduced last night by Senator
Thompson providing for a bipartisan
Public Service Commission. reducing
the salaries Of the members and giving
the Governor power TO appoint within
twenty days two new members OF eacn
commission TO succeed two members
whose terms have not yet expired. Thi.
measure would practically give Gov
error Whitman immediate control o.
the Public Service commissions without
the help Of the Thompson committee
inquiry.
Nobody seems 20 know how the pro-
vision for the summary removal Of two
members OF each commission crept in
Senator Elon X. Brown, the majority
leader, had the measure sent to the
bill drafting department to be pre-
pared. but had apparently considered
only the bipartisan feature.
Senator Thompson dlsclaimed any
knowledge Of it, saying he introduced
it without looking it over, after it hac
been handed 20 him by Senator Brown
Governor Whitman said he had no
read the bill, but had discussed III,
provisions for bipartisan commission.
with members of the Legislature, snc
was in favor Of il. He told Senator
Brown OF his attitude on this provision
several weeks ago.
in any event" said Senator Thomp
son, "the measure will have no efec
on the Public Service investigation
THIS bill will not be acted upon unit
after the inquiry is over and Il all o
us provisions are not approved II vii
never get out OF the committee"