The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-27
THOMPSON WANTS
ONE SERVICE BOARD
Legislature May BE Asked to
Do Away With Two state
Commissions.
CITY SUBWAY CONTROL

The adjustment OF the Public Service
Commission for the upstate and metro
politan districts and the substitution OF a
single statewide body, having regulatory
powers only, may be a result of the
deliberations OF the Thompson commit
tee IL the omins Legislature acts In ac-
cordancc with the committee's views.
The members Of the committee are
almost unanimous in the belief that a
change of this nature is necessary In
the public service com mission la
although they have not yet reached an
agreement on u definite plan. But what
ever form the pan may take It's sup
porters say that 1t will save more than
1000, 600 n year for the city.
Senator Thompson would take the
building OF new subways for New York
city entirely from the hands Of the COM
mission and place It with the Mayor or
the Board OF Estimate. witt power to
appoint n board OF engineers TO taxi
charge OF the work.
1t Is Senator Thompson's contention
that the supervision OF subway construc-
ton Is n purely local function which
should fall TO nc power outside of the
city itself. Instead Of a commission APP
pointed by the Governor. while the city
foots the bills. the Senator thinks, the
M Eifouhb iiNNV N'fNtot WV 'hot "
which II pays.
His general plan Is somewhat similar
TO that outlined in a bill introduced
by him In the last Legislature. though
modified by the revelations that have
come to the committee In recent hear
inys. He thinks that the law should
forbid a Commissioner to hold stock in
a public utility corporation In the name
Of his wife or any other person.
Two nroppse1 single commission wOuId
consist Of seven members. three OF whom
would com from up State. 1t would
devote it's attention to the fixing OF
rates. the prevention of discrimination,
the regulation OF stock and bond issues
and the giving of adequate service by
pubic service corporations.
The present metropolitan commission
required ~appropriati tons Of $500. 900 for
the coming year. Senator Thompson
believes that a third would he cut from
this amount by placing the supervision
In the hands of the city government.
other changes would bring about addi-
tional economies. lie suggests that the
salaries OF commissioners be cut from
$4,000 to 10000 IA year.
Another member OF the committee Is
In favor OF a plan for providing for a
Statewide commission of FIVE members.
with powers similar TO those proposed
by senator Thompson. TIT committee
men differ. however. In one important
detail. Senator Thompson's commits
sion YOU have three upstate members
10 sit on upstate affairs exclusively
and three city members TO sit on city
affairs exclusively. with q general chair
man. The other committeeman contem-
plates no such division OF duties.
Suggestions hav been made from
various sources that the power to exam
inc gas meters In the city he trans
ferred from the commission TO the
Department of Water Supply. Gas and
Electricity. 4 bill to this effect will
! very probably be introduced in the COM
ing session OF the Legislature.
The Thompson committee will resume
tomorrow its hearings on the action OF
Commissioned Wood in connection with
the signal contracts.