New-York tribune., 1906-09-11
MAYOR JOLTS TAMMANY
PUTS WALGROVE OUT.
Office MiSused, 'Tis Charged-Berry
Gets Place.

Mayor Mcclellan. almost as soon he reached
the City Hall yesterday morning, announced that
he had requested the resignation OF Park Commis-
sioner George NJ. Walgrove of The Bronx Joseph
I. Berry is TO get the place. Berry was heats'
man last year The decapitation OF Walgrove Is
interpreted at Tammany Hall as an object lesson
a notice heads OF departments 10 get In line for
Mayor Mcclellan and District Attorney jerome
Walgrove is the third appointee TO the PARK COM
missiOnership in The Bronx since Mcclellan De-
came Mayor. in 1904 The first was Commissioner
schmitt. the second Henry c. schrader Mayor
Mcclellan gave out the following statement con-
cerning the latest stroke of the political suotne
1 have learned since my return 20 New York that
the Pars & Isl ne ssas 59E Sop political pur
poses and against the interests or my anththlsua-
Waigrove's resignation. / shall appoint Joseph I.
Berry to the vacancy.
Mr. Berry was formerly coroner for The Bronx.
and years ago was Henry ID. Purroy's Lieutenant
Purroy was at time one Of the biggest men
in Tammany Hail. being known as one of the Big
Four" Mr Berry also candidate for leader
in the S5th Assembly District.
WaIgrove called at the Mayors Office about l
O'Clock. bat Mayor Mcclellan was at luncheon. 1t
said the Mayor had seen the Commissioner
formally and received the resignation, but the
Mayor said in the afternoon he had not seen Mr..
walgrovs. That official sent HIS resignation down
by messenger.
Commissioner Berry was then sworn in. He said
afterward ne had not looked thoroughly over the
field and did not know what he would do In regard
10 ths administration OF his department He said he
would give a clean stewardship. and II there
any wedding out necessary he would not be afraid
to do II.
when Mayor Mcclellan was asked for more spe-
cihe reasons for his removal OF Commissioner wal
grove he said:
He has mlsused his ofice-has used It for political
interests Will not permit that. No man in my
VIII remove any man who his Office against the
administration You cannot make that too strong.
Mr.. walgrove. when seen at his office in Clare
mont Park. admitted that Mayor Mcclellan had
asked for his resignation.
i have always tried TO perform my duty" he
said. "and have never used my office for political
purposes nor did take sides with either OF the
factions in The Bronx"
Probably your resignation called for be-
cause you known 70 he a Murphy man." was
suggested.
That may be So" replied Commissioner Wal
grove because I was appointed at the request OF
Eugene j. Mcguire. who Is 4 Murphy man"
Borough President Hanen last night issued the
following statement:
In answer to statements in the public press IN
reference 10 alleged reasons for the removal Of
Park Commissioner WalgTove. I suggest that
P6E S II r M tS RaTSG o
ddeGet Bronx b on the ree3mmendation Of the Prss
grove II he was appointed Park Commissioner on
whether the Park Department has been used 10
advance the political interests Of the friends of
the Borough President
Let The Mayor answer this; When he does. I
iiI b1 Si neE statement II VIII be direct and
boomerang. and viii strike hard
Matthew Harrington, formerly Republican leader
IN the S4th Assembly District. who In the last cleo
ton came out in support Of Mcclellan and Harfen
and is holding an appoint tnnent from the Bor-
ough President, spoke bitterly and emphatiCally
about the Mayors action.
II Is the worst example OF boss rule ever saw"
and his adherents"
= President Baker Of the Municipal Civil Service
commission, when asked about Mayor McClellan's
statement that Mr.. Wagrove had allowed his office
10 ne used for political purposes, said:
- " have received no charges that missioner
Walgrove has violated the Civil Service rules In
MS administration Of The Bronx Park Department
nor has such state Of affairs been intimated 10
me The civil Service Reform AssOcia tiOn keeps a
close watch on such things. and / think should
nave heard Of I II Commissioner Walgrove had
been breaking the Civil Service regulations of
course, the head of a department might use his
ONCE to further political ends without violating
our rules This might be done by promotion. and
In other ways