The sun., 1918-11-17
WHITNEY RESENTS
ATTACKS BY HYLAN
Blames Mayors Antipathy to
Service Board for Evils in
. Transit Situation.
PAY OF EXPERTS CUT OFF
City Hall Secrecy and 0pposi-
ton to Commission Are
81, Denounced.

Travis H whitney. Public Service
Commissioner. severely criticised Mayor
Hyian yesterday in a statement indicate
Ing that the head of the city govern
msnt had refused to cooperate with the
commission.
Mayor Hylan desires to return the
government to the people," said the Com
missioner. aside from the fact that he
appears to divide the people into rela-
tives and non-relatives. he can hardly
complain II the people are Informed by
others Of the facts about public BUSH
mesa, particularly when City Hall Is
nov clothed in the greatest secrecy OF
its long history and the Mayor Is SUI :
rounded by a body guard beftting the
President
= After showing the completely OF the
rapid transit problem in this city. which
raquiBas the closest cooperation between
The Public Service Commission and the
Board of Estimate. Commissioners Whit
Eey said that two members Of the latter
body. Mr.. Smith. President Of the Board
Of Aldermen. and Frank L Bowling.
Manhattan Borough President, had rec
pgnized this fact
Cooperation has been impossible.
however" the statement continued.
mayor Hylan has dominated one board
and has constantly complained publicly
that he did not have the power OF ap-
pointment in the other. Was he think
ing Of commission salaries and Of his
relatives and ministers OF transportation
and the opportunities OF Jobs with the
companies? / say advisedly that It will
b q serious day for New York city IL
the present dual control over rapid tran
sft Is destroyed and all Jurisdiction and
power il concentrated in one board, par
ticuiar.y II II Il dominated by q man
with principles and desires similar to
those of Mayor Hylan."
Abuse Becomes CnbearabIe.
The commission has remained silent
under abuse and misrepresentation, the
Commissioner continued. because he had
no desire to mingle oficial adrainisrra-
ton and political activity. Events Of
the last three weeks. however. had made
10 necessary to talk plainly.
Repeating the charge that Mayor
Hylan knew in advance Of the strike
which resulted In the serious accident
on the Brighton Beach elevated line.
the Commissioner asserted that the
Mayor as a member OF the union could
have obtained a twenty-four hour post
ponement.
THE commission had the Strike settled
in less than. twenty-four hours" the
Commissioner added. Mayor Hylan.
with a possible share in responsibility.
Immediately capitalized personally and
politically the disaster, but, more i'm
portant. he declared himself the Judge
TO hx responsibility. and in tie inquiry
attention has been kept focused on the
motorman. who Incidentally was being
used to break the strike"
Referring to the, fact that the COM
mission Is dependent upon the Board OF
Estimate for appropriations to carry on
its work Commissioner Whitney de-
lciared that Mayor Hylan had followed a
iccusistent policy OF restricting and re-
ducing appropriations for the cognmis-
sion and then criticising and railing at
the commission for alleged failure to
supervise properly or TO protect the in
terests of the city and OF the people
THE public has heard much of his
criticism" said the Commissioner. 1T
hasnt known OF his responsibility for
making the work impossible. 1t IL a
grave responsibility to refuse money for
the supervision necessary on important
ana dangerous transportation construc-
ton. Adequate supervision and equip
inent may mean safety to the public
Mayor Hylap has made that kind OF
supervision Subordinate to his dislike
for the commission. In the construction
ana equipment of a transportation sys-
tem costing over $3.50. o0o. 900. which
by the terms OF the dual contracts( must
be OF the highest type known to the