New-York tribune., 1902-02-15
To OVERHAUL G. S. LISTS
COMMISSION NOT SATISFIED WITH
THOSE LEFT BY TAMMANY.
COLONEL OGDEN THINKS "A sUPERSTRUCT-
URE HAS BEEN REARED THAT Is
NOT FOR THE GLORY OF GOD"

Colonel Willis L. Ogden, president Of the
Municipal Civil Service Commission, dropped a
remarked yesterday that indicates that the
commission will undertake the work of
overhauling the eligible lists which contain
thousands of names The charge is frequently
made these days by Republicans and fusionists
that these lists are not ''honest''-that they are
padded with the names of men who do not be
long on them. and that the topmost names al
most invariably are those of men having aff1lia-
'tions with Tammany Hall.
A Tribune reporter called Colonel Ogden's at
tention to the bill introduced by Assemblyman
Allen. and then asked this question:
Are you and your associates satisfied that
there is not just ground for complaint against
the existing eligible lists?"
''on the contrary" said Colonel Ogden. Il am
perfectly free to say that not satisfied
believe that, while the underlying principle on
which the old commission worked was honest
and right, a superstructure has been reared
that is for the glory Of God"
Are you going to overhaul the lists in order
TO learn Of possible evasions?" Mr.. Ogden was
asked.
I'VE certainly shall overhaul the lists said
he I'VE are overburdened with work just now.
and there are many things which call for our
immediate consideration. In a short time,
though, we shall begin the overhauling Of the
lists"
Theodore NJ. Banta. another member OF the
commission, said when similarly questioned.
I'VE have not been long enough IN office 10
warrant our taking up such a formidable task
as investigating the entire eligible list in the
various classifcations Doubtless the matter
will be talked over at an early date"
SECRETARY MANENY'S REPLY.
Secretary George McAneny replied yesterday
l. CIo -iDy
visional appointments to be made. Mr.. Nc
Aneny was blamed for the appointment of DR..
William r. Patterson. recently professor in the
University of Iowa. VINO has been made reg
lister of records in the Tenement House Com
mission under Robert W. De Forest. Mr. Nc
Anenv said:
Regarding the appointment Of Dr. Patterson the
been a professor in the University of Iowa He is
at present resident Of New-Nork, residing at No.
I8t Eldridge-st and there is, of course nothing In
the law rules that would permit the Ciyl Service
since January / the following provisional appoint
Inents have been allowed:
January 2s-Nie Nelson. competitive eHamina-
petitive examination held Fe6IuaGg ~ .,; ,.. o,
January gIN : M LeiF44EgT, - aaEeTI'5inS agent com
FEBRUARY 4-Peter Aiken, supervisor o. complaints
February HI A. GgiaeP % 9of ear al s
Three other candidates have been examined for
supervisor of complaints and two for watchman:
14gf he : n
the aDDontnent OF these. No lists, Of course, eX-
listed in any of these cases Nhen the lists are
connpleted the provisional appointments VIII ter
Tnjnafe rs the law requires. in the of Mel
seu The Commissioner OF Street Cleaning had
hausted the eligible list for mate on which N fact,
INT two names remained. He needed man to put
on a scow that waiting to go 10 sea. and l
considered il fortunate that We were able to eX-
anime and certify one 10 nim within the same DAY
WHAT THE RULE PROVIDES.
Rule "a provides as follows:
Whenever there are urgent reasons for filling
vacancy in any position in the competitive class
and there is no list persons eligible for appoint
ent after competitive examination, the appointing
officer may nominate person TO the Munlclpa
Commission for nOn-cOmpetitive examination. ana
II such nominee shall be certified by such comnls-
sion as qualified after such nOn-cOmpetuEe eXaInl
nation he may be appointed professionally to MI
such vacancy until a selection and appointment
can be made after competitive examination nut
such provisional appointment shall not continue
for a longer period than one month.
In other words when new ONCE Is created or
an old one vacant, and there IS no eligible
1,erso1 NAV be nominated for the emergency. and
The commission is required TO hold non-competi-
tive examination. at its earliest convenience, 10
qualify the nominee. At the same time. a com
retftiVe examination is advertised, and unless the
temporary man comes out among the hrst IN TINS
he must be replaced the end of thirty days by a
higher man. This provision has been IN the law
since its passage though il is more carefully pro
tected from abuse now than previously without
such provision. will readily be seen. the busl-
ness of the city might very often surfer seriously