The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-06
BARRETT NAMED
PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSIONER
Governor Picks Flushing
Deputy to Fill Vacancy
in First District.
NIXON SCORES CRITICS
Retiring Official Discusses
City's Rapid Transit
Problems.
SEES NEW TAX BURDEN
Expresses Admiration for
Governors Policies on
Transportation.
NIXON SCORES CRITICS
SEES NEW TAX BURDEN

Special Despatch to THE NEW YoRB HERALD.
ALBANY, Nov. 5.-Gov. Smith ac-
ceoted to-day the resignation of Lewis
Nixon. Public Service Commissioner
of the First Department, and ap-
pointed Deputy Commissioner Alfred
NJ. Barrett Of Flushing, l.. l., his sue
cessor
While business had been given as
the cause Of Commissioner Nixon's
resignation, his letter to the Governor
plainly shows that differences OF opin-
ion over his rapid transit policy had
good deal to do with it. After ex
pressing appreciation of the confidence
the Governor placed in him and de-
claring that there was no doubt OF the
wisdom of the reorganization of the
First District Commission. which Gov
ernor Smith recommended, he said:
Had the published pronouncements
OF the former commissioners been IN thu
nuture of a resolute policy much OF the
decentralization. dismtegration and de
strucr,on which have occurred might
have been avoided.
"We seem TO be faced with pride Of
opinion In opposition where persistence
is expected to win out. Every day If
such opposition Is making matters
" orse. But II my opinions, as AK
pressed In reports and Interviews. were
rot valued when made. they will fail 10
secure attention now. so l shall not
repeat them.
burden Upon Taxpayers.
'The corporations were pressed to the
wall If in the drawing of the dual con-
tracts the corporations had secured in
ordinate advantages this was the op
pcrtunity to correct the unfairness.
while the people have been made 20
think they pay fiU cents. an excess fare
we'll above Ave cents Is levied upon
cur taxpgyers yor all who travel,
whether taxpayers or not, and this will
continue for more than forty years and
add more than $500 100000 to the bur-
den of taxation lad upon the people.
municipal ownership seems the only
way to avoid resort to strike or vio-
lerce in wage disputes. but there are 80
many pitfalls and difficulties due TO the
difference In point or view OF oi1lce
holders when entering and when leav
ing office that our people may be slow
tc adopt such policy.
"As regards buses, their use in New
York city will not lead to betterment
OF transit conditions. In shaping the
character and establishing fixed transit
lines in outlying areas they have place.
If we could build new and UP TO date
electric street railway cars. with the
best of tracks permitting a speeding UP
of service we should be much better OH
than with buses. We cannot do this
without a cost of service fare, so de-
4erioration must go on to the point where
even bus will give better service;
eta "a n gnlpndi0 one. w nile
accused of Tammanyism, the commits
sion I have named-Messrs. Barrett and
Donnelly as deputies from Queens ana
Brooklyn, respectively, both with brains
and ability to meet and decide IN the
peoples interest the many problems
arising. and Mr.. HALEY from The Bronx
appointed on merit because ne was
oualified by special service and attain
r1,ent developed to q high order OF use
fuiness as secretary to former Repub-
Ecan commissioner.
No Politics Played.
.rNo politics was played and men were
kent when they were specially capable
regardless of politics. The legal de-
rartnlent Is presided over by Mr.. FAR
Inv. and I have yet 20 hear any one.
regardless OF party. say that this com
mission could have secured man IN
fhis CITY better qualified on all counts
to carry on his important work Ana
men in every department are giving good
service. though the commission Is
greatly UNDERMINED.
you have inspired us 10 give you our
nest b,- your own mastery OF the details
OF your great office Your quick grasp OF
situations as they arose. your broad
tolerance OF opinion and desire to look
upon all sides before acting, your lay
ing aside of political expediency In rem
dering decisions and your unfailing
friendship. courtesy and consideration
have endeared you to nre as man and
made service under you matter OF
pride and satisfaction which will have
place In my memory long after all recol-
lection Of some appointments has
passed away
The Governors Reply.
IN reply the Governor said he was
sorry that Commissioner Nixon was
leaving the State service. and expressed
the hope that he would be able 70
straighten out his business affairs.
which he ''had been forced 20 neglect
while in public office"
f'Now that the smoke OF political bat
tie has blown away" said the Governor.
"citizens Of all parties. am sure. be-
lieve that you brought the Public Ser
VICE commission 10 inc nlFntst poHHlDie
standard of efficiency. / have complete
confidence in the men you have ap-
pointed. They have rendered valuable
service 70 the state"
In addition TO his letter 20 tile Gov
ernor Mr.. Nixon issued a statement here
concerning his departure from the COM
mission. but offered no explanation OF
mis- decision 60 quit. In the following
words, however he made Il clear that he
has had enough public service commits.
fioning 20 meet his desires for the pres
ent.
81 cannot see how any one should wish
20 involve himself In misrepresentation
and abuse which In large measure seem
he portion OF those who conscientiously
cpeak their minds az to public utilities :"
That was Interpreted generally as be-
fng parting shot at Mayor Hylan, who
has been a constant and ardent critic of
Mr. Nixons views and policies.
Mr.. Barrett was appointed Deputy
public Service Commissioner on June
70. 1919. by Commissioner Nixon, and
1-as served In that capacity since. until
ais appointment to the post made vacant
~ Commissioner NlSon's resignation.
20 was formerly Superintendent OF High
rays In tho Borough OF Queens. His
Nome ls In Twenty sixth street, Flush
tbs.