New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-19
RESERVES ITS DECISION.
Charges against Metz Before State
CiuI Service Board.


mission announced to-day that it had reserved de-
cision the application of the Civil Service Re-
form Association to Investigate the Finance De-
partment of New York City. 1t is alleged that
Controller Metz made appointments in his office
for political in violation of the civil SER
vice rules and regulations. Mr.. Metz has sent a
reply TO the charges the commission, in which
he makes general denial.
President Mken and Secretary Birdseye of the
state commission have been appointed special
committee TO confer with the authorities Of second
class cities in regard to proposed uniform elass-
fcation of places in the Civil Service of the cities
with special reference to the classification OF chief
of police and chief of the fire department.
Controller Metz has filed with the State Civil
Service Commission a reply to the charges or the
Civil Service Reform Association. The association
had asked investigation Of the administration OF
the Civil Service law by the Department of Finance.
In his reply Mr.. Metz makes a sweeping defence
of his acts says he has carried out the entire
spirit of the law.
The Controller admits that most Of his appointees
in the exempt class may have been Democrats but
says that fact not due 10 political policy, but
to the fact that he Democrat, was better ao-
quainted with men OF that party. He maintains
that in all such appointments he had an eye only
to fitness.
He defends his appointment OF Charles T. Raines
of Senator Raines. auditor of accounts, by
inclosing copies of recommendations from many
qualifications OF exempt appointees more fully oe-
cause there the report blanks
Regarding changes in the bureau Of assessment
and arrears, he holds Daniel Moynahan head OF
the bureau personally responsible and declares the
results satisfactory A report from Mr. Moynahan
is incIosed.
The transfer of cashiers from the competitive to
the exempt class he lays at the door of Controller
Grout. He says such transfer seems to him an
injustice and in retransferring these men be was
simply following Mr. CIRCUITS precedent in similar
cases.
The removal of William z. Melody, deputy col
lector of assessments and arrears. was not po-
liticaI. he says but because Mr.. Melody criticised
his administration. DR.. Charles j. Plug, the
Controller declares was ousted from the office
of medical examiner because he was not giving
the city reasonable amount of time He doubts
the alleged conversation between DIR. Plug anu
Deputy Controller McCooey.
In conclusion he quotes few extracts from the
charges which he says illustrate the general in
accuracy OF the statements and conclusions of the
association and which not taken up or
formulated until after they had been prepared by
the Borough President of Brooklyn, who for per-
sonal and political reasons, in the public prints
and in speeches, has been constantly and openly
attacking me and my administration" He asks
why men cIassed incompetent by Mr.. Coler
should suddenly become competent for appoint
1aent by the Borough President as soon as they
opposed the Controller politically.
He denies that tile exempt cIdss MIXTURES az '0
higher offices in the department or is given over
TO the spells system.
AS TO the charge that many appointees had no
previous experience for their work. he facetiously
asks what previous experience Abraham Lincoln
had for the Presidency.
In parting. he says: 81 probably have not man
aged the affairs of the Department of Finance in
the same way as other person, If elected
as Controller, would have managed l regret that
my judgment and opinions regarding Civil Service
matters have not always been such as to meet
with the approval Of the secretary Of the Civil
Service Reform Association. who has got TO snow
activity to justify his retaining his salary