New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-28
Not Quitting Under
Fire. Commissioner
Declares.
LEAVES OFFICE
ON JANUARY 81
His Bank Accounts SCruti-
nized and Only Criticism
Gas Opinion, He Says.

George V S. Williams, Public Ser
res Commissioner, sent his resigna-
non 10 Governor Whitman yesterday,
70 take effect January 81. Commits
,onsr Williams announced his resigna-
son Al his Office late in the afternoon.
us issued a formal statement, in which
he said he had contemplated for some
tine resigning from the commission
and returning to the practice Of law.
70 added that he felt he could with
draw at this time without going out
under fire" BY the Thompson legis-
lsiiye committee.
"Now that the investigating commit
lee has gone thoroughly into my
actions. ofieial and Otherwise he said.
and examined into my bank accounts,
50 that my income as we'll as my outgo
has beer scrutinized, and the only
criticism appearing to be directed to
tentative opinion in gas rate case
n which certain members OF the COM
ni,tee disagree with me, have de-
sjed 70 retire with the expiration Of
Commissioner Grams term, on Febru-
s7i.'
Then you are not resigning on ac-
count Of TIE investigating committee :"
he commissioner was asked.
Not at all" he replied, "but in -pite
Of it. II thought that they were
roing to get anything on me l would
B. the last one 70 resign"
Feels Charges Against Wood.
those who have been close to Com
missioner Williams in his work on the
commission said that ne was resigning
Amos. wholly on account Of the serious
situation which the Thompson commit
.ss had brought 20 light in the present
nsmbership Of the commission. Com
missioner Williams has felt keenIy
shout the grave charges brought
against Commissioner Wood, IL was
sad, and believed that Wood should
resign. OF which there appears 20 be no
prospect at present. He expected that
The legislative committee would de-
yslop matters for criticism, but had no
iies that such serious charges, lead-'
ing 20 a grand jury investigation
would be shown lie is said TO have
isl, that the present members Of the
'onnission remaining after the
thompson committee investigation
vsre not likely 90 have the full conf
ieree Of the public.
There has been no suggestion from
Albany that Commissioner Williams's
resignation was wanted. it was de
dared. and iJ rad not been forced in
az way Iho >mmissioner's friends
Ninied ou. that be was a man Of super
sensitive temperament, a. evidenced by
ni breaking down in the executive
1@nsion when he and the other com
rnsioners were first brought before
,as Governor on charges. The present
iyslsiive investigation ard the pros
Net perhap.. Of others 20 follow, had
Sisetcsily broken his spirit in the
'sfs' % was said. IL was known, how
Nst, that the Thompson committee m
anotd % ilc charges Of incOmpetency
'ssinst Comm rissiOncr Williams.
To BE a Whitman Board.
With the passing Of Commissioner
elilsms and Cram on January 81, and
Ae almost certain dismissal of Com
1i,sioler Wood. Governor Whitman
wv have the appointment Of all five
Ismbers % The commission. lie has
.fesoy appointed Commissioner Hay
,sd, Who succeeded Commissioner
Naiiois, and Oscar S. Straus, to sue
f1 former Chairman Mccall. whom
~ Governor removed Commissioner
Flllams's term OF Office would have
~ another year, % January 81, 1911. .
q bommnsiOncr Hayward was with
.as,hmissioner - Williams in the lstter's
.1ee "nen he announced his rcsigna-
- 70 tne rcT paper men They have
,l,t1 in harmony since Colonel Hay +.
fd became a member Of the cOmmis-
-. COmmissi0ner Williams said he
- sent he resignation 20 Albany a.
- ~ fis secretary. ". IT, Glacken. /
".ls s E his fOrmel statement:
foi tome time ! have contemplated
.ngning from the commission and re-
,hlh2 % tce practice Of the law. but.
~ ne latest investigation was start
iet that J could scarcely, In jus ,
. myself retire while under FIRE.
"a, |pN ihat the investigating commit
has zone thoroughly into my ac-
i..s' c'eisl end otherwise. and exam
49, mo ny bank accounts 20 that my
,,.'.l.s ~ well a. ny. .outgo have been
,.-Hh ztd ard the only criticism aD-
,..fhg - be directed % a tentative
,y'"ph ~ = gss rate ease, !n which Ger
a. members of the committee dis
49, Niin rae, have decided 20 retire
~, NE expiration Of Commissioner
~ Term On February !.
Grateful 10 His Friends.
,l.I Dave accordingly sent my resigna-
- - me Governor. % take effect
,i~th9afy ~, ~ midnight, By which
- rope that ths unfinished matters
i>ssf Of. '''''''''''" -" % "'''
E,,se M many friends. sspecislly Dr.
''''yn, who have stood by The com
s'nsinesd % page L s.lansn