The sun., 1908-12-10
PRACTICALLY CLEARS hRTZ'
CIVIL SERVICE CO1fzff4TEE
FINDS CHARGES NOT ERQRnN.
Except One, About which Il b
Comptroller Tells q
Melody and Plug >
Household Prefers - -.


Comptroller Tells =
Melody ana Plug y
Household PrefeFs - ls.
The committee appointed BY Tie State
Civil Service Commission 70 inquire into
the charges brought against Comptroller
Metz by the Civil Service Reform Asso-
citation returned findings yesterday after-
noon which practically cleared the
Comptroller. The committee reserved
its decision on the charge that Metz had
been playing politics In his appointments,
but in the opinion Of the Comptroller and
HE counsel. j. j. Mahoney. that decision
IL rendered will not be unfavorable t.
Metz. This is the finding:
The commission reserves decision on the
question whether or not the making OF
appointments in the Finance Department
has been affected or influenced by pohti-
cal opinions or Affiliations, in violation Of
section % OF the civil service law.
The commissio ion determines that the
other specific charges Of violations OF the
law by the Comptroller have not been proven.
The commission finds that the investi-
cation has brought forward evidence
| suggesting improper classifcations and
interpretations Of the rules which the COM
mission will take under consideration with
a view to recommending to the Municipal
Civil Service Commission certain changes
and reforms.
Commissioner Kraft does not wholly
agree with the foregoing, and declares
that the specific charges Of violations OF
the law and rules made against the Comp
troller by the Civil Service Reform 4ssocia-
ton have not any Of them been proven.
Comptroller Metz was a witness syester-
day before the committee. which met In
the rooms of the local commission.
Asked to explain the appointment and
subsequent dismissal OF William A.
Melody. deputy collector OF assessments
and arrears. the COMPTROLLER said that
Pat MoCarren had suggested the appoint
meDt and that he, Metz. had made 1t only
after having assured himself that Melody
was a competent man, Prior tn March
81 last he had heard rumors in his office
that Melody was making attacks against
his administration and that he was aligned
with the opponents Of the Comptroller.
Il sent for Melody explained Metz.
but when he came to my Office happened
to be out and he did not wait for my
return. Mr.. McCooey told me that Mel
ody had told him that If ] wanted his,
Melody's, job I'd have to take it. and i
did take 10 That's all there was to it.
Later the Comptroller said that the
fact that Melody had lined up with Coler
as against McCarren had no weight with
him in diminishing the deputy collector.
He would not retain man in his Office
who was secretly knocking his admin
istration.
Melody was looking for q, chance to
be made a martyr Of" said Metz in dis
missing the subject, land he got it,
DR.. Charles j. Plug succeeded Melody
and was himself dismissed subsequently.
DR.. Plug was another one of McCarren's
recommendations, the Comptroller adj
ilitted. but nevertheless Mr.. Metz had
been convinced in appointing him that
he was the hest maa that could he pro-
cured.
Il dismissed Plug one day said the
Comptroller. when found him upstairs
writing petition to somebody or other
in which he called me dummy. a rub
ber stamp and other disagreeable things.
That IL something that cannot 60 la my
department while | am at the head Of
it.
There are thousands of men in the
city's employ who should hold their jobs
for life. and l am going TO see before l
leave Office IL they can be protected. Fit
ness being assumed. / would rather APP
point a man from my own party than one
from another party That is no more
than human nature. / am quite sure
that Mr.. Roosevelt follows that rule. and
don't believe that Mr.. Hughes would
be ashamed were he accused of appoint
ing men from his party to the offices he
has for distribution. But l have pro-
NOTED some Of the appointees made by
my political enemies and have raised their
salaries because they were competent.
Il am certainly in favor Of the civil
service law as a politician" said Mr.. Metz
at another time. "One bane Of a man in
office is the appointments he has TO make.
mo man living could 60 into place lilo0
mine and have enough friends living To
completely fill all the places.