New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-19
PROBING CIVIL SERVICE.
State Commission Begins Inquiry
Into Secretary BerIinger's Acts.

Inc State Civil Service Commission in look
ing over the methods of the municipal commits
SION yesterday discovered loose screws. Cen
rally speaking. they were of the small variety,
puO they seemed to be especially loose. Henry
eilIhger, secretary of the local commission,
Hooucally admitted that he had technically
'ioIated the rules with reference to re-examina-
,''Hs' but took refuge in the defence that he
lIau acted under orders of his chief, Mr.. Nc
Cooey' who was removed from office by Mayor
Mcclellan.
commissioner Brown asked Mr. Berlinger if
mere was anything in the rules which justified
nm IN obeying the order of his superior when
ne knew he was violating the rules. Municipal
CoiilIlissioner Talley, who was hand to de-
lehd the acts of the local board, took the ground
mat Mr.. Beringer could not disobey the orders
u MS chief. matter what those orders
might be
AT the opening Of the session Chairman Mill
ken said that the charges made by the Reform
-nSsoclaton would be fully inquired into. Philip
. NlcCook. representing the State commission,
1HeSsrs. Mlliken Brown and Kraft, all Of whom
were present, said that the presentment alleged
mat Secretary Berlnger had violated the Civil
service rules; that expert examiners should
nave been appointed only after competitive eX-
aminations and that there were abuses as to
the selection of monitors and to temporary
appointments in several Of the city departments.
Mr.. McCoolh said that the present municipal
commission could not be considered as on the
defensive, although. in view Of the charges
against Mr.. Berlinger. his retention secre-
tary called for explanation.
Secretary Berlinger was first called He said
he had been secretary to the commission since
January 1. 1904
He ordered Richard ]. Cunningham to take an
examination as an inspector of masonry and
gave him the application blanks at the Pensa-
cola Club, the Tammany headquarters Of the
14th Assembly District, John T. Oakley was
present. Berlinger IS a member of the club.
Mr.. Cunningham in testifying said that he
was Knocked" by the present administration.
You were rejected after the physical ex-
animation" he was asked by Mr.. A1cCook.
You think you were knocked" by the pres
ent administrations asked Commissioner Talley.
L was absolutely knocked I was forced to
make the application by Mr.. Oakley" replied
Cunningham.
DO you think Berlinger was opposed to your"
Somebody might have tipped him Off to
knock me"
You complained to the Reform Association"
L did not think I got a square deal Ny
name had been on the eligible list for inspector
Of masonry and construction"
And when that list expired you were asked by
Oakley to take new examinations"
Yes"
You had previously asked Oakley to get you
job?
Yes"
After recess MT. NIcCook sought to prove that
Margaret Boyle Mary Mangin and Frances
Odell, applicants for employment as police
matrons, We're Disseminated against On ex-
animation Of the appeals, which were rejected
Commissioner Talley called attention to the ex-
Cuses given by the women.
Mr.. McCook called Messrs. Collingwood and
Barnett, examiners, to prove that If they had OBJ
tanned more work at $40 day each the delayed
ratings might have been figured out Barnett
admitted that he appeared a witness for per-
sonal reasons.
The investigation will be continued to-day