New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-11
Transit Lam and Lore
Deep Mysteries to Cram
Continued from page

Board of Estimate'" asked Senator
Foley. the Tammany spt kesmLL OF the
probers.
Il think il would De better 20 appoint
2 new commission" vas the reply. "lt
would onl: delay the completion Of tho
dual system. Il would be a misfortune
TO do that"
Senator Thompson intimated he had
heard that the city might he pleased 20
have the subway work delayed because
Of the financial conditions. Cram said
he did not ,hink ANYBODY would he
pleased b. such DELAY, and rs a mat
ter OF fact il would cost the city inter
est on money already tied up.
Witness Scores Rcformcrs.
Then the Commissioner continued
with something that evidently was IN
his mind and which he wanted 10 get
out in regard 10 the reorganization OF
the commission:
81 should certainly not advise you TO
create non-partiSan commission. be
cause think OF all things a Demo
cratic Republican or Republican
Democrat is the most contemplate
except possibly some reformer. But
certainly would keep the commission
alive"
"Ilow would you like Bull Moose"
asked Senator Thompson.
81 look upon them as reformcrs,
was the answer 81 believe in good
Republican il cannot have good
Democrat. don't believe in anything
else"
The Board Of Estimate does not du-
plicate the work OF the Public Service
Commission, Cram declared. "One ad-
visos. but has no money; the other &C,
cepts the advice and pays the bills,
was the way the Commissioner put 1t.
"Have YOU time 20 engage IN other
outside activities" shot HAYWARD
thinking perhaps TO trap the witness
But the attempt went wild.
DO you mean for pay or otherwise
a sked the witness in calm voice. Or
DO you want to know II lead the life
q a recluse." Then followed the Cram
chuckle.
Did you participate actively in rails.
ing campaign funds in 1877 persisted
counsel.
81 resigned from the Democratic
campaign committee after a domestic
quarrel in 1870" said Cram. quietly
smiling at the thought Of his break
with Murphy at that time. 81 haven't
taken any active part since. or course |
went to Baltimore. might say
Then ne broke of suddenly.
I've would like 10 know what you
were going 10 say" said Thompson.
The witness laughed. at might seem
to be a criticism Of prominent DEM
ocrst."
When he took the stand after listen
ing to the grilling Of Commissioner
Wood for half an hour or so Grams
face did not wear the usual rudy APP
pearance. II seemed that he was some
what nervous for n few minutes and he
frequently moistened his lips. But he
kept himself in good control and soon
was perfectly at ease.
Right of the bat the witness calmly
stated that he did not know the hrst
name Of the man he succeeded.
81 believe his name was Bassett,' he
said in q matter-of-fact way. Il did
not know the gentleman"
p. :. Work Not Difficult.
How engrossing do you find your
duties" asked Hayward.
"Oh, it takes certain amount Of
time" was the answer. at is work
that can be done readily il you have an
ordinary amount Of intelligence. There
are two meetings a week, and
At this point Hayward, standing at
the other point Of the horseshoe in the
Board OF climate, complained that
Grams answers were in such low
tone be could not hear them. -,
well, can't see you over there,
came back the witness. u am suffer-
ing as we'll as you are"
Pressed further, Cram said the duties
OF a commissioner took "a moderate
amount of time" He had 70 attend
two meetings a week. except in sum
mer; then there were few hearings
and few informal complaints to look
after.
The Commissioner talked in tone
that seemed to indicate it was all a
mere incident in life. .
as it your opinion that the WORK Of
this district could be properly disposed
Of by three commissioners asked
Hayward.
"Certainly, if you get competent
competent men. You don't pay enough.
"How much ought they 10 be paid
al won't testify. Men who would
make able commissioners would get
much more than $4,000 outside
"You would advocate an eficient
commission asked Thompson with a
broad grin.
Advocates Efficient Board.
"1'd like TO see one, but we won't
get IT,"
"Then you think you're not eff
cient?"
81 didn't say that"
Asked 70 recommend changes in the
Law, the witness refused TO give opln-
ions, but did venture the suggestion
that all OF Long Island be placed in the
jurisdiction Of the first commission,
"ss 7 suppose you will have TO keep two
commissions"
He thought private water companies
should be placed in the control of the
commission and also the regulation or
telephone rates in this district.
"6o you think the commission here
could get five-cent telephone rate p
They would or I would have them
rerooyed uss tho reply