New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-19
TAKE FIRST STEPS
IN P. S. c. INQUIRY
Bills in to ReOrganize
Claims and Civil Ser
vice Commissions.
lF-on A, st,r corrs.ponasn. q The Tribunsl

From q 81 an Correspondent ~ Aif AAt"'"Nff
Albany. Jan. 1s.-At the request OF
Governor Whitman a resolution pro-
viding for the investigation of the
Publi. Service Commission by JOINT
legislative committee was introduced
by Senator Elon R. Brown, the major
ity leader, tonight.
As exclusively announced IN Inc
Tribune two weeks ago, the object OF
;he investigation will De to determine
II one statewide commission shall
supplant two bodies now existing 10
inouire into the workings OF the com
mission generally, and to report TO tne
LEGISLATURE any suggestions for legis-
lation the committee may deem neces-
sary.
Senator Brown explained that ne eX-
pected the committee would complete
its investigation and report TO inc
Legislature by February 3. -,
Tho committee will be composed OF
tour Senators and five Assemblymen::
! II will have special counsel, ana
nover 70 subpoena witnesses, document
and other exhibits. FIVE tnousanu
dollars will be appropriated LOT "S
expenses. ol,t;on
which was referred to the Finance
Committee. would be passed this week
and that the committee would be ap-
nointed and at work probably by sat
urday. IL will sit in Albany and Ne"
York. -. ;n.ro.
There il another resolution: intro
drced nv Senator Bennett, to invesu-
cate the Public Service Commission
Mr. Bennett will give way TO the uoV.
ernor's resolution. II is likely tnat
senator George F. Thompson, chairman,
of the Public Service Committee, VIII
be the chairman of the investigating
Anotber of Governor Whitman's
measures, recognizing the State Clvli
Service Commission, was also intro
duced Senator Horton and Assembly
man Thorn, of Erie, introduced II. ne
hill reduces the chairman's salary 10
"a 600 and allows $4,000 for each OF the
o,ber two commissioners instead OF
81 600 and $4,000, as at present Inc
terms of the commissioners are reduceu
iron, six 70 three years. The tirst three
commissioners will be sppointed lor
terms of one, two and three years, re-
snectively. so that each Governor may
have the appointment of two members.
senator Bennett introduced resolu-
tion 10 appoint a joint legislative pody
s;r,;Iar 70 the Minnesota Efficiency ana
Economy Commission TO report 10 the
LEGISLATURE in 1916 recommendations
for the continuance of the WORK now
he;no done by the State Engineer, the
SECRETARY OF State and the State treas
nrer's office. i'm the event that the snort
hailot. which would eliminate THESE OF
Sces should be provided for by the
constitutional Convention. The resolu-
t;on' which was referred TO the rinahce
Committee, carries an Appropriation Vi
'R'e REORGANIZATION Of the Board OF
Claims in accordance with the recon,
nendation of Governor whitman wouid
he nrovided for by a bill lntrodueea
to.nieht by Assemblyman Knight II
would empower the Governor 70 ap-
INT three Judges 10 serve on the ne"
bodv. which would be known as tne
Curt of Claims, and would authorize
10 Annellate Division in each judicial
donartment to designate three supreme
Court justices to hear claims "neh
such action was requested oy the
Claims Court.