The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-10-02
PULL" mot TO COUNT
Police Commissioners Called Upon
to Make New Rules.
Board OF Examiners Insist Upon
Appointment for Merit Only.
Pres. Martin Opposes a Change That
Would Strip His Board of Power.

The Board of Police Commissioners THIS
afternoon received a communication
from the Committee on Civil Service EX-
aminatlons requesting that the Police
Commissioners confer with the EXamin-
ing Board for ,he purpose OF amending
the rules governing the examination and
appointment of applicants to the police
force.
The communication stated that the
testimony taken before the Senate In
vestigating Committee establishes the
fact that, in many instances, appoint
ments and promotions are made for
reasons other than those OF merit.
Reference is made to the recent re-
port OF Supt Byrnes, in which 1t is
stated that a large number OF officers
have obtained their positions through
means other than meritorial service:
and that, as a result, 1t has great
tendency to impair the discipline OF the
Department, and to make the members
ance OF their duty.
The latter also states that It is openly
charged, and the charge is publicly
ferred to IL, in many instances, payment
of money fol the places received.
ut Is unfortunately true the letter
continues, that the civil-service rules,
as at present enforced, do not materi-
ally hinder the existence of such prac-
tice. 1t is the opinion OF this Com
mittee that, through proper revision,
these rules might be made 60 preclude
the possibility of practices of that sort.
with view OF improving the system
under which such scandalous conditions
urge that the subject of this necessary
revision be given careful and Immediate
attention"
The letter referred the Commissioners
IN pf hp mi
made In December, 1891, which was
referred to the Police Commissioners,
and which stated very, frankly that i
lions.
The report recommended as a remedy for
the alleged abuse that rule be adopted
that all persons on the. eligible lists
should be appointed in order OF merit.
As all patrolmen are now appointed
on thirty days probation. the Commit
tee decleres that there would not ap-
pear to be good reason why such rule
should not be enforced.
This recommendation was repeated In
the communication received to-day. The
rules, IT was declared. as at present en-
forced, allowed too wide latitude in the
making OF appointments, list of lJO
names being sent to the Police Board for
every 100 appointments to be made. and
selections from any part or this list al
lowed.
We "s submit 1t hat by requiring that APP
pointments and promotions be based alb
through merit and by bringing the ex-
aminations wholly within the control OF
the Civil Service Commission, these de-
fects will be largely II not wholly eradi-
Gated.
I'm the case of promotions, there are
stronger reasons why the order or ex-
,sslence should be followed strictly, rea-
Npns stated with emphasis In the report
the Superintendent.
sThe danger encountered in allowing
- rating of examination papers by
these Rt she papePs into the e eustody OF
such officers Is shown plainly In the
communication of your honorable BODY
the Mayor under date OF Aug last.
I which grave faults in this connection
are charged"
President Martin declared that he was
not in favor of the suggestion or the
Civil Service Examining Board.
IF appointments were made from ap-
plicants rating the highest on examina !;
ton and in regular order, 1t would
practically take" he said. the appoint
ing power away from the Police Com
missioners and invest 1t in the civil Ser
vice Board"
should be allowed to select aooointees
from the entire list, without regard To
the position of rating.
~ have no objection, however SAID
President Martin ITO conference on
the subject with the Examining Com
mittee.
Some good, perhaps. might result,
but am irrevocably opposed TO the idea
OF transferring the appointment OF APP
plcants from the Commissioners to the
Clvil-ServlCe Board "
Commissioner Sheehan conceded win
President Martins views. Neither
Commissioner Murray mol kerwin. the
Republican members OF the Board, eN'
pressed any opinion.
The letter contained quotation from
Supt Byrnes's report, in which he re-
fers to the Detective Bureau as the one
ideal brunch of the Police department
This furnished clue to Commissioners
Sheehan to declare with considerable
esperity, that. in his estimation thu
Detective Bureau was by far the worst
This declaration brought smile L,
the faces OF Commissioners Murray and
Kerwin, but did not suffice I" provoke d