New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-09

ISOLATION. which may reasonably be said to have
as much interest in the proper conduct OF the Civil
Service affairs the Mayor. at their annual meet
ing. held in May last stated in their report that
the administration Of the Civil Service law by the
Municipal Commission had continued steadily TO
improve, and that its work being carried on
with both efficiency and dispatch
The report further said that the commission was
entitled TO the greater credit for the improvement
made in its methods in view Of the fact-and l
quoting the previse language of the Reform
Associa tioT-"that there has been an undoubted
tendency on the part Of the city administration
draw the Civil Service into politics and to use
the patronage Of the uncassited and exempt posi-
1ions weapons in the factional war for the con
troll of Tammany Hall between Mayor Mcclellan
and Charles T. Murphy" and that under such
disturbing conditions the work Of the commission
should have progressed is remarkable.
have done my best TO keep the Civil Service
Commission absolutely free from politics. This has
not been pleasing 10 the Mayor.
Street Cleaning Commissioner Craven reCred
from his post with display Of diplomacy. He
was drafted" for the place when the Mayor
forced the retirement Of Commissioner WOOD
bury. At the time he was an engineer IN the
department The strenuous work required by
HIS departn1ent last winter broke him down
physically and demonstrated that the depart
rnent was not in first rate shape for a proper
handling Of fits work.
Mr. CRAVEN'S RESIGNATION.
Mr.. Craven yesterday turned in his resigna-
ton as follows:
Believing
is such to prevent doing the severe work nee
ssary in order 10 carry the arduous duties con-
nected with this department as Commissioner OF
Street Cleaning. and therefore oeeNlng II my uuy
10 the city and yDu. Mayor, to relieve your
administrator Of embarrassment on that score,
hereby tender ms resignatIon the same TO take
effect at such time and date as you may wish
The Mayor accepted the resignation and re-
piled:
beg 20 acknowledge the receipt of your resigna-
ton as Commissioner of Street Cleaning. which
Tsvra Tlna X-prR
handicap under which you have administered the
affairs OF this very important department OF the
city government. and grateful to you Tor the
services you have rendered my administration in
both good and bad health.
Conditions are such at present that constant time
and attention which only man in perfect physi-
cal condition can give necessary to the proper
administration of the department II is not f2ir
20 YOU or to the City OF New York TO ask you
remain longer at the helm. and as, in my judy
rnent Il would unwse 10 leave the department
without q head for even q day, have decided TO
accept your resignation at once 1 fully appreciate
the struggle you have made under adverse condi-
tions and thank you for It.
Il am resigning simply account Of my
health" said Mr.. Craven. when seen last night
There has not been a particle or trouble with
the Mayor or any one else in the city admins
tration I resign with the deepest regret. To
do something with this work Of the cleaning ~
the citys streets has been the ambition Of my
life and when I undertook the work felt that
! was going TO be able to accomplish something
But can't do it
CRAVEN DEFENDS HIS WORK
'I leave the city clean after the strike. The
streets are in good condition, and feel that
there can be complaint that 1 am leaving
things in bad shape for my successor. He is n
good man. and sure that the citys inter-
ests will be fully preserved by Dr. Bensel. do
not know whether Mr. Edwards will continue
10 serve as deputy commissioner or not, but
can and will say that If he does not the city
will lose a most efficient and hard working man
n,ge 1-ov,d oil
ion IN the last two weeks and has done
Lent work.
Unjust say that hope that DR.. Bensel will
not have as hard time 10 face as l have had
What with my sickness. unusual conditions %
weather and other difficulties, followed by the
strike Of the drivers have had very hard
problem 10 solve"
Commissioner Craven's resignation. while
there have been rullors Of all kinds in and out
of the department for weeks, a surprise 70
his associates yesterday. AS told in The
Tribune during the strike Of the cart drivers
Mr.. Craven has been an I'll man Last winter
many Of his friends doubtful of his
covery. Yet during the strike. the Commits
sione-, going without sleep and food,
stantly on hand.
There has been intense criticism OF Mr.. Craven
ever since his appointment although it was
sidered that he qualified for the work 10
cepuonal degree. He had been connected with
the department ever since the time Of Colonel
Waring sanitary expert.
There was a general impression in the de-
partment until yesterday that If Mr.. Craven
went Mr.. Edwards would succeed him. Mr.
Edwards never encouraged this idea.
Corporation Counsel PendletOn arrived at the
Hall Of Records about $3.50 o'clock. He said that
he had not looked over the field and would not
make any changes in or have anything to say
about the Law Department until he had made
all the inquiries he wanted.
Following the announcement by Corporation
Counsel Ellison in May that peace between the
Mayor and the Tammany leader had been agreed
upon Charles F. Murphy asked Il he was
party TO the agreement.
Not. personally said Mr.. Murphy, but Mr.
Sullivan represented the organization, and to
that extent I a party"
did Sullivan consult you before going into
the conference"
Yes; he went into the conference with my
full concurrence"
Asked about his possible retirement from the
leadership Of Tammany Hall he said:
THE district leaders name the leader Of Tam
many Hall If the opposition has a majority Of
The district leaders they force my retire
ment / do not fear a showdown / expect TO
continue leader indefinitely"