New-York tribune., 1908-12-04
INVESTIGATING lIR. METZ.
". &. Melody and DR.. Pfug Before
CiCH Seruice Committee.

William Z, Melody. former Deputy Collector of
Assessments and Arrears. of Brooklyn. was the
first witness called yesterday by the investigating
committee Of the State Civil Service Commission,
appointed to Investigate the charges against Con-
troer Metz. Who is accused of violating the civil
service law in his department.
Mr.. Melody said that ne accepted his appoint
ment in 1886 at the request Of Senator McCarren.
and that in March, 1905. Mr.. Metz asked him TO
resign without stating any specific charges. He
refused to resign, he said, and was removed
Did you criticise Mr.. Metz's. Administrations" p"
asked r. {. E. Brown, of the investigating com
mittee
q did not" replied Mr. Melody but did
oriticise Senator McCarren. That IS the reason l
was removed. If you want TO know it
The witness said that month after his dis
nissal he appointed Deputy Commissioner Of
Public Works He said that up to the time he was
removed he was in perfect accord with Nj Metz
and aside from the fact that he hao against
Senator McCarren at various political meetings
he knew OF nothing warrant his being thrown
Of office.
DR. Charles J. Plug. who removed on May
.. testified that he had been approached repeat
edly by McCarren men. and told that he had better
get in line, he would go the Melody route"
Did you. in the performance Of your official
duties give all the time you should have given
them. did you, the Controller says. shirk
your work." asked Nr Brown.
II Mr.. Metz makes that statement in his answer
To the investigating committee he has either been
misinformed tells deliberate falsehood.' re-
pled the witness I did work. and did II well,
and will leave ii TO the Controller that I did
Controller Metz who sitting directly opposite
DIR. Plug looked toward him and said.
1t was because you did not that you we're let
60"
H. H. TorberG, formerly cashier in the Finance
Department who was removed from office June
2. 1898. said that specific charges were made
against him at the time of his dismissal He mad
been led TO believe, he said that his discharge
due political prefermeut. When cross-examined
ny Mr.. Brown. ne admitted that sickness had kept
him away from work much Of the time, and that
occasion he had been able to work only
one week in nine. He said appointed the
1 Office in 1901 by Mr.. Coler.
During the recess which followed Mr. Torberg' 8
. testimony Controller Metz remarked that the
whole proceeding seemed TO him very much like a
farce and expressed desire to get the stand
himself.
the afternoon session William J. NJ CIizey.
chief clerk Of the Department of Assessments and
Arrears. emphatically disputed the charge that
many of the employed old building records
incompetent.
Daniel Moynahan. Collector of Assessments and
Arrears, declared that he had searched for compe-
tent men but had succeeded in getting only about
thirty hrst-cIass Several applicants. he said,
had come him Controller Metzs recommended
ton Mr.. Moynahan declared that he had dis
missef Deputy Collector Melody al the behest OF
J the Controller and his initiative.
The investigation will he resumed at 1870 this
f morning