Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-04

The successor to A. Merritt Tay-or as
Director OF the Department Of city
Transit may not he appointed for several
days. it was intimated ny Mayor Smith
today William :. TwnIng. formerly
chief engineer Of the Philadelphia Rapid
Transi, ompauy an nj present consult
ing engineer with the firm OF Ford, Bacon
& avis, IS the only man who has been
mentioned for appointment as the new
director.
Director Taylors resignation was
handed to Mayor Smith early last night
after the axe had been welded several
times during the first half day OF the
new administration. The Department Of
city Transit is the only one for which
Mayor Smith has not announced a new
head.
Previous to the resignation OF Director
Taylor. Mayor Smith asked for the res
ignatOns of the three Civil Service Com
missioners appointed by Mayor Blan-
kenburg. but they We're not in his hands
this morning.
The commission Is composed of Frank
NJ. Ritter, chairman; Peter Bolger and
Lewis II. Van Dusen. RIters term does
not expire until 1917 and Bolger's term
does not expire until 1919. In asking for
their designations, Mayor Smith said that
eX- Mayor Blankenburg had done the
same thing when he Went into office.
HAS OWN IDEAS
II have my own ideas regarding the
of civil service" he said.
II have in mind the new board which
shall appoint. but will announce 1t later"
The resignation Of William II. Ball as
Chief of the Bureau uf city Property.
which was handed TO Director OF Public
Works Datesman a few minutes after the
new administration went into office, was
accepted by Director Datesman late yes
terday His successor has not been
named.
Director Of Public Safety Wilson, after
he had administered the oath Of office TO
Captain Harry Davis, the Assistant Di-
rector, Immediately ousted Clayton w,
Pike. as Chief Of the Electrical Bureau,
and appointed James +. Mclaughlin, who
held the post under Mayor Reyburn, TO
succeed him.
KNEW THIS WAS COMING"
In announcing the resignation OF Dlrec-
tor Taylor, Mayor Smith paid high trib-
ute to the retiring director.
Il knew that this was coming, since |
talked with Director Taylor several days
ago" said the Mayor. He and / have
been friends for some time and | have
a high regard for his capabilities lie is
a splendid, shrewd business man and
capable official. / am not yet prepared
TO name his successor"
Mr. Taylor, in his letter TO the Mayor,
said that he was resigning lin compliance
with your desire expressed TO me" His
letter OF resignation follows:
II herewith tender my resignation as
Director OF the Department OF city Tran
sit. to take effect January 3, 1916. In order
to facilitate the appointment of another
incumbent to that office in compliance
with your desire expressed to me.
Should you or my successor desire any
individual cooperation upon my part In
aid of transit development or In the solu-
tlon of problems incident thereto shall
be ever ready to help.
with every good wish that you may
have a brilliantly successful administra-
tion and secure TO the people Of Philadel-
phia the bountiful advantages which will
result from the completion and proper
operation OF the entire system OF high
speed lines as recommended, / am yours
very truly. A. NJ TAYLOR"