New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-10
"I'M FREE MAN."
STRAUS ASSERTS
No Question of Politics of
Any Kind, He Declares,
in His Appointment.
WILL QUIT WHENEVER
JOB is UNCONGENlAL
Dislikes Mud-Slinging, but Will
Not Be Afraid to Do the
Unpopular Thing.

Unpopular ihiuS'
81 do not understand that there Is
any question OF politics in my ap-
pointment I know there is no ques-
tion of politics in my acceptance.
should regard myself unfit and un-
worthy to accept such a position II l
let any question of politics of any KIND
or any such influence, enter into the
situation. think can give the public
the assurance that politics will have
no place in my administration OF the
Public Service Commission"
Oscar S. Straus, newly appointed
chairman of the Public Service Com
mission, made this statement last night
at his home, West Seventy-sixth
Street. in answer TO queries as to the
possible effect Of his appointment in
promoting harmony, particularly in the
state camp, between the Bull Moose
and the G.. o. p. Mr. Straus said that
he had talked with several OF ms
friends. evidently within the Progress
sive fold, about his appointment, bus
he would mention no names. he WouIo
not deny, however, that his friends in-
cluded George w. Perkins. =,
81 won't hesitate 20 tell you my pom
tics" said Commissioners Straus, ouI
| don't think | ought to answer ques-
tions as to whether | talked with Mr.
Perkins, or any one else, BESIDES the
Governor. All my life | have been
Progressive, and | expect TO De one
for the rest of my life
Commissioner Straus-for he became
Commissioner iast night when William
A Orr. secretary TO the Governor, de-
livered the Governors commission to
him at his home-said that he had &C
cepted the position very reluctantly
and will, the express reservation that
he could resign in the course OF three
or four months if he found the WORK
uncongeniaI.
Governor Asked Him Twice.
al have gone in IS free man. said
Mr.. Straus. 81 shall perform my du-
ties as a free man, and ! retain the
freedom to withdraw my services"
"This thing has come TO me not only
unsought," he continued, but was re,
luctant to take it. In fact, / declined
Il at first for the simple reason that !
preferred doing public work as q pri-
yate c. tizen. Governor Whitman called
me up two nights ago and begged me
to take this position. / told him
wanted no Office and that | was not
sufficiently acquainted with the WORK
Of the Public Service Commission to
form any judgment about it at all and
that this kind Of nun. cipal work dld
not appeal to me. He asked me 10
think il over. | slept over II, ana
again informed him | didn't want 10
assume the burden; that there were
other men as well fitted. and petteF
fitted, to take the position
"Then some friends of mine came TO
me about this matter and said that II
was a distinct call to render public
service; that within recent years this
commission had been inaugurated, and
that it was of the highest Importance
shat il should be made successful. They
told me that conditions here had
drifted in an unfortunate way and that
my acceptance would give tone ana
character to the whole commission sys-
TEN. The Governor and they appealed
TO me in the interest of the public,
and | confess the appeal Of helping to
put upon its feet such an important
service as this was such that | con
sidered that | should not spare myself
or let my personal preferences con
troll. ] didn't want the place. The
salary has no attraction for me, nor
has the position itself except as a
means Of entering upon useful public
service.
Dislikes Mud-Slinging.
"The Governor spoke to me again,
argument so reasonable that | told
him was not sufficiently familiar with
the work to say that | would find it
congenial, and / wanted him 10 dis
tinctly understand that after several
months, if | did not find the work
congenial, / could resign, and would
accept with that distinct reservation.
II / should find out that my past ex-
perience and training were not such as
TO qualify me to take the head of this
commission | would deem it g duty
owe to myself, as well as to the publ c,
10 hand in my resi- nation. according
to my understanding with the Gov
ernor.
Another reason why dislike to take
this place is on account of the mud
singing and criticism which naturally
will be INDUCED in. That Is one or
the difficult things ir connection with
municipal administrator. A man who
has reached my time OF life, with a
fairly reputable record behind him, is
taking quite a chance. As Hamlet said,
BE thou as chaste as ice, as pure as
snow, and thou shalt not escape cal
umny' But | do know that ! am de-
termined to give the city square deal
as well as the transportation companies
and ell interests involved. | shall not
be afraid to do the unpopular thing if
| deem IL necessary"