New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-11
COLER UNDER SUSPICION.
WORK FOR GRANTS FRIEND
Formal Complaint May Be Made of
q I'ammdny Raid.

The National Civil Service Association and the
State Civil Service Commissioners have Presi-
dent Coler of the Municipal Civil Service Com
mission under suspicion. They suspect him OF
attempting a raid against the service In the in
terest of Tammany Hall On Monday or Tues
day formal complaint will be made to both the
national organization and the State board. II
was asserted last night, by friends OF two engt-
neers who have been told by President Coler
that because they do not live in this city they
will not be allowed to do any more per diem
work for the city.
Francis Colingwood and Lewis B. Bonnet,
while doing business in New-York for years,
live in Elizabeth They were doing the work
of expert examiners for the city. and until Mr.
CoIer became the head of the local commission
were giving satisfaction. Mr. Coler one day last
week announced that he would no longer as
sent to these men doing work for the CITY, De-
cause they lived outside the city. In their
places he appointed expert examiners george
w. Weller, an office associate of j. Sergeant
Cram, president OF the Tammany General Com
mitee and John D. Moore, an engineer, MEM
Der of the Tammany organization. In addition
to these, Mr.. Coler caused to be appointed DR..
Judd as a medical examiner.
1t now is alleged that Mr.. Coler IN all these
appointments acted in violation of the spirit and
1t is asserted that the law authorizes tho ap-
pointment of expert examiners only under GER
tain conditions. The clause OF the law bearing
on the matter says: 1.-The commission may ap-
point experts for a given examination of spe-
cial technical character" and the classihca-
ton limits the number Of examiners TO ten. II
is alleged that in the appointment OF Messrs.
Weller Moore and Judd the law has been Vio-
lated in that they have not been assigned TO
any special or technical examination. There are
four medical examiners in the employ OF the
commission now, and there does not seem to be
any call for adding another. The four exarni-
ners now serving got their appointment after
an examination. There never has been any
public criticism of their work. 1t is believed by
Mr. Coler's critics that Tammany influences are
at work to secure unfair advantages. and that
the greatest watchfulness is warranted 10 pre-
vent q violation of the law.
The appointment of Mr.. Weller who gener-
ally is regarded as a close personal frieno on j.
Sergeant Cram, is looked at with suspicion.
Bird S. Coler. the president OF the Municipal
Civil Service Commission, last night explained
Weller without subjecting them to any examt-
nation. Moore is an expert engineer, he says
and Dr. Judd is employed IN examining appli-
cants for the Fire Department. Weller served
in similar capacity under the McCooey BOARD,
which was dismissed by Mayor Mcclellan
Mr. Coler says that he appointed the men UNI
der the clause OF the charter which allows him
nation. II any mistake has been made. Mr.
Coler says that he Will be only too glad TO rec
tifv IT. but he believes that he was entirely
within the law in making these appointments.