New-York tribune., 1921-03-31
Saws He Will Name Both
City Transit and State
Public Service Boards
in From 10 to Ii Days
$4,000 Salaries
Fixed by Measure
George McAneny, John
A. Barhite and Thos. r.
Fenneu May Be Chosen
From a Stof Correspondent

ler to-day signed the Knight-Adler
bill, which provides for the creation of
Transit Commission for New York
City and statewide Public Service
Commission, having control over all
the public utilities of the state, with
the exception of the New York City
transit lines.
The Governor did not write any
memorandum on the bill, which became
law when he signed it late this after
noon.
Asked when he would appoint the
members of the Transit Commission
and of the Public Service Commission,
he said that he would not send the
names to the Senate before a week
from Monday.
II expect to send in the names Of
the members OF both commissions"
said the Governor, Sin ten to fourteen
days"
McAneny May Get Post
There is considerable speculation as
to who will be appointed. Up to the
present, the Governor has not init
mated who would be appointed to
either of the commissions.
From sources close to the Governor
j, was learned that George McAneny,
formerly president of the Board of
Aldermen and a member of the Board
Of Estimate which drew up the dual
subway contracts, would probably be
appointed chairman of the Transit
Commission. Mr.. McAneny had lunch
con with Governor Miller at the Execu-
tive Mansion yesterday. He and the
Governor discussed the New York City
transit situation for nearly three
hours.
Practically every leader IN the state
has candidates for the two commits
slcns. 1t is said that one member of
the present upstate commission is GER
tam to be named TO the new State
luelic Service Commission. He is
Commissioner John A. Barhite, of Roch-
ester. Another possible appointee
10 this commission is Thomas F. Fen
nell, of Elmira, Fist Deputy Attorney
General. Mr.. Fennell is an ex-member
Of the upstate Public Service Com
mission. His term expired last year.
$4,000 Salaries
The new State Public Service Com
mission, which has the same drastic
powers over public utilities that has
been given to the Transit Commission
for New York City over the traction
ines there, is to be composed of five
members. Their terms are fifteen years
and they are removable only after a
'wo- thirds vote of the Legislature. The
salary is, $4,000. The Governor said
! mat two members of this body will be
residents of the City of New York.
The Transit Commission is to be
tomposed entirely of New York City
men. Their terms are for five years
Their salaries, however, will be the same
is that of the members of the state
vide commission.
George McAneny, former President
Of the Borough of Manhattan, who took
prominent part in the work of draft
ing the last subway contract, said yes
tsfday that he knew nothing about
the report that Governor Miller had
decided to offer him an appointment
10 the transit commission. When seen
a. his office, Rector Street, Mr.. Nc
Aneny said:
his is somebody's erroneous i'm
PRESTON. I am thoroughly in accord
with Governor Miller's transit policy.
eut there has been no suggestion of
my service on this commission"
The same thing is true of former
Comptroller William A. Prendergast.
eovernor Miller has freely consulted
with both Mr.. McAncny and Mr.. Prem
eergast, but he has made no proffer of
an ., appointment 1t was learned that at
me Albany conference following the
Aear'ng on the traction bill the per-
sonnei OF the commission was not dis
eussed
Hard Task Faces O'Brien
In. me Miller men yesterday, after con-
suitation with lawyers, said that Cor
!psoratlon Counsel O'Brien would have
;ae greatest difficulty, under the pecul-
isr r existing clrcums stances, in blocking
governor Miller's transit commission
from laying before the Board of Esti-
mate workable reorganization plar
ana getting it in operation, even if the
BOARD opposes it.
corporation Counsel O'Brien has an
dounced that he will fight the new bill
cs ssar to the United States Supreme
tOur', 1t was said by the Miller men
lat tne home rule point in the law,
sa'cn Mr.. O'Brien proposes to test is
~spt RENEWABLE by the United States
supreme Court, inasmuck as it does
Nv involve property rights. The mat
=. :. oi fato-fixing does involve property
s'sh's' and can be carried to the high
W court in the land.
Wa. ~, 'iiiier men said yesterday that it
v,s;. vs; we'll known that the Appellate Di-
sou,n s,.9n IN the First and Second districts
Il ;ya'a heartily welcome the Lew tran
I'M seomn'ission, as it would relieve
il l,. NJ caie ndars of yexatious litigation.
las VAS said that Justice Green5aum, in
hssssusing the last important rate case
Firs. the Appellate Division in the
bard ,pLiStrict, spent seven months of
to su ~. iaoor on it before he was ready
NAV, sfite the opinion Of the court. The
now. commission, clothed with large
ofstisls' of VIII take all such questions out
DreS;s. sae, Jurisdiction of the court. The
tht's.lon thst was made by the Miller men
merely obstructive tactics by the
Vii siiyheaents sa of the new law will meet
yinioas yiI% snort shrft by the Appellate Di-