Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-05

William S. TwIning, one OF the most
widely known engineers in the country,
has been appointed Director of the De-
partment of City Transit to succeed a.
Merritt Taylor, who resigned. The ap-
Eointment completes Mayor Smiths
Cabinet.
Mr. Twining, who was recommended
for the office by former Director Taylor
when the latter resigned was praised
for his efficiency by Mayor Smith. lie
was In charge Of the construction of
the Market street subway and has long
been associated with former Director
Taylor in working out plans for the de-
velopment OF the citys transit system.
The appointment goes init! effect Feb
ruary 10.
Mr. Twining said today that he did not
wish to make any public statement re-
gardng his immediate plans or his poll
cies on the transit situation until after
he had conferred with Mayor Smith on
Monday.
II have not seen the Mayor personally
for almost a month" he added, "and
until I meet him on Monday and discuss
the situation with him do not think | can
fairly make any statement. ! have my
own definite ideas on what should be done
and how the city should proceed and
believe the Mayor too, has reached
decision on all the major points of the
transit situation,
II may discuss publicly my plans be-
fore I assume Office on the 18th. but I
would rather make no promises. l have
considerable private business which will
demand my attention for the next two
weeks and / shall have TO be out OF the
city considerable part of the time for
that reason"
In announcing the selection last night,
Mayor Smith said:
"Ths is not political appointment.
Mr. TwinnG was selected for this i'm
portant post because he is an engineer
of high standing. and one whose expe-
rience has been much with the very kind
of work he Is to take ur.
'He has been engaged with Mr., Tay-
lor in the present transit plans, and
virtually is a part of the Department Of
Transit Mr.. Taylor was among those
who recommended Mr.. Twining. l con-
slider him the ablest man l could get
for the place So far as his politics Is
concerned, / do not know whether he
is Republican, Democrat or mugwump."
William Stanton Twining was born on
February 90, 1865, and was graduated from
Allegheny College with the degree G. II.
in 1857. Following his graduation he was
instructor in physics and engineering in
Allegheny College for three years and
then entered the employ of the railway
engineering department of the Thomson
Houston Company, OF Boston, Mass, AS
engineer for this company he was in
charge OF the pioneer electric railway
construction in Indianapolis, Toledo, AL
lentown and other cities.
In, the latter part OF 1891 he was made
assistant chief engineer during the re-
building and electrifying of the Harlem
Bridge, Morrisania and FOrdham Rail-
way, now a part Of the Union Railway.
New York city, and in the following year
was engaged on similar work on the At
ANraN Eaf
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit system.
In 1893 he was appointed assistant to
the chief engineer of the Peoples Trac-
ton Company of this city, succeeding to
the position Of chief engineer in July,
1895
phia Rapid Transit Company and It's pred
ecessor. the Union Traction Company,
from the organization of the latter COM
pany In 1895 until 1910
In 1910 he resigned from the Philadel-
phia Rapid Transit Company 70 become
associated in the capacity Of engineering
manager with the firm OF Ford, Bacon
& Davis. for whom he took up important
report work and Investigations of heavy
electric traction and power development
projects In various parts Of the United
States
Mr. Twining Las kept in close touch
with the plans for the development Of
rapid transit IN Philadelphia. For more
than 2ls years he has been, through his
connection with Ford. Bacon & Davis,
consulting engineer 10 the Department
OF City Transit. He has a thorough
knowledge OF the transit requirements OF
Philadelphia.
Mr. Twinins ls a member OF the Uni
yersity Club, the Engineers Club, or
philadelphia the Franklin Institute. the
American society Of Civil Engineers the |
American Scqierf of Mechauical Engi- [
neers ne American Institute OF Elec-
tfIeai ENG neefe ana e the Amarican /
ElEetIIe Railway Association.