The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-07-03
MAYOR THOMPSON
AND CITY CLERK
SQUABBLE
oASToN's REFUSAL TO SHOW
WILLIAMS STATEMENT TO
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
CAUSES HOT ROW s, ,


over the appointment of a city boiler
inspector are promised as the result
OF factional feeling that has come up
among the engineers.
Charges OF ineligibility are likely
to be made against both the success
full candidates, John McCabe and J.
Harvey Williams
The preliminary firing in this con-
test came in the way of very spirit
ed argument In the mayors ONCE,
Thursday noon, between Mayor
Thompson on one side and City Clerk
CASTOR and Harry Knowlton, chairman
of the civil service board, on the 9TH
er. Their words became heated to a
degree.
IN show you where you get Off"
shouted the mayor at one time 10
Castor.
You'll show me nothing-quit Your
four'hushing," retorted CASTOR.
The trouble arose over the refusal
OF CASTOR TO allow John b. Purvis and
Fred Goodnough, two OF the unsuccess-
full applicants, TO see the application
OF j. Harvey Williams Knowlton, as
chairman OF the civil service examin.
Ing board. had instructed CASTOR not
TO show the sworn applications and the
latter acted accordingly.
Purvis and Goodnough then went to
the mayor
The thing Is fixed to give Williams
the Job again. they told the mayor
'McCabe was placed first on the list
and charges are to be made against
him because he was out OF town three
years and the ordinance SPECIFICS a
man must have been resident OF the
city five years. IL he is put aside,
that would leave it open to Williams
I'VE do not believe that Williams
has the ten years experience that is
called for and We want to see what
he has sworn to-"
The mayor Immediately declared
that he would see the city clerk and
get the document for the two engi-
neers. He sent for CASTOR to come
10 the mayoral Office but the latter
was busy.
Tell him I'll come UP there II he
does not come down." said Thompson
CASTOR appeared shortly afterward
and the mayor demanded that he turn
over the applications as being public
documents He accused CASTOR OF re-
fusing to show them.
Don't go SO fast" said CASTOR
Let me explain.
The mayor was warmed up, how
ever, and a lively minutes converse
ton ensued. Chairman knowlton had
come In by Gaston's invitation and he
at once declared that II was he who
was responsible for the papers being
withheld
"The board did not think 1t proper
10 make the examination papers pub
lie, and did not feel like giving per-
mission for any of the documents to
be seen without consulting both the
other members" he said
Il am here TO see that there Is a
square deal" asserted Thompson. We
hemently These men are taxpayers
and they have right to see any pub
lie document. II a man Is to be given
a public job at $1,000 for five years.
we want to know all about IT, Is
there any reason why they cannot see
this paper?"
Finally Knowlton agreed and Purvis
and Goodnough examined the docu-
ment In which Williams claims rs
years experience In various capacities
where knowledge OF boilers was re-
CURED.
I'VE can show that Williams has
not the experience he claims said
Goodnough afterward II have known
him for nine years. We will get afii
davits TO show whether he was en-
gineer in the Oriental hotel and other
places as he claims We do not count
running a road roller for the city as
the right kind OF experience. After
what we will show, do not think Nc
Cabe will be bothered"
Purvis stated that his examination
mark Is next to Williams but he
would not say whether he will take
the position OF assistant II Williams
application Is thrown out.
THE council robbed me OF this ap-
pointment." declared the mayor TO
Purvis and Goodnough
The history OF the row that broke
out today traces back three and one
half years to the examination held by
Mayor Codd. Williams won then and
II has since been claimed that he did
not win on his merits alone. The
men who took the last examination
took that one also. Last winter, the
council decided TO continue the prece-
dent OF having the place filed by civil
service examination. Williams enc
mics among the engineers charged
that an effort was being made TO per-
petuate him In Office
After long squabble the present
board, consisting OF Harry Knowlton.
E. F. Lewis and F. F. Van Tuyl, was
appointed by Prof. NJ. z. Cooley. OF tho
University Of Michigan They picked
Ave men out Of 10 who took written
examination and gave these Eve q sec
ond oral examination
I'VE did our work honestly and
placed the men fairly after we had
gone over the matter Ave times"
stated Chairman Knowlton.
Mayor Thompson met CASTOR later
and explained that. under the circum-
stances. he did not hold him respon.
slble for not showing the applications.
inasmuch as he had been given ex.