Throughout its entire existence the Commission worked with a singular
unanimity and with a hearty interest but seldom found in commissions of
this character. It held twenty-five regular meetings and two special
meetings, the aggregate of attendance at all meetings being two hundred
thirty-one, making an average attendance of eight and fifty-nine
hundredths at each meeting. When it is considered that each member had
large personal interests, and that he served the State absolutely
without compensation, only necessary expenses being allowed by statute,
and that a majority of the members of the Commission were obliged to
travel from 160 to 450 miles to attend the meetings, its record for
faithfulness to duty as shown by the above figures is one in which it
may take a pardonable pride.


THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION

By virtue of being first named by the Governor, Edward H. Harriman, of
New York city, became President of the Commission, which completed its
organization as follows: Vice-President, William Berri; Treasurer,
Edward Lyman Bill. Executive Committee: Louis Stern, Chairman; William
Berri, Lewis Nixon, John K. Stewart and James H. Callanan. Auditing
Committee: James H. Callanan and John K. Stewart.

There was but one name presented for Secretary of the Commission, that
of Mr. Charles A. Ball, of Wellsville. He was unanimously elected, with
compensation of $2,500 per annum, the appointment taking effect December
8, 1902. In its choice of this officer the Commission was most
fortunate. Efficient, faithful and courteous and with a wide circle of
acquaintances, particularly among the prominent men of the Empire State,