New-York tribune., 1909-10-29

Elliot H. Goodwin, secretary of the Civil
Service Reform Association, issued last
night a statement on what he termed the
political scandal in the Finance Depart
ment" He said:
This administration has seen the Finance
department made an adjunct of the
BROOKLYN DEMOCRATIC machine. This has
been made possible by the excessive num-
Der OF positions in that department eX-
eempt from competitive examinations under
Civil Service Reform Association has con-
stantly and vigorously protested. Con-
troiier Metz has been closely allied with
the late Brooklyn Democratic leader. and,
through these exempt pIaceS. has furnished
him with the sinews of war to offset the
patronage enjoyed by the leader of Tam
many Hall. The Finance Department was
turned into patronage stronghold for the
Brooklyn Democratic machine.
they are now and have been for four years
paying the salaries of men appointed to
cratic machine and who are now paying
for their appointment. Here are some
striking examples:
First. Hon John H. McCooey. first
Deputy Controller. This is the same man
who, as president OF the Municipal Civil
Service Commission in Mayor McClellans
law into the ground Upon charges. pre-
ferred by the Civil Service Reform Asso-
office by Mayor Mcclellan. He was speed
lily cared for in the Finance Department.
When Controller Metz came In he made
McCooey Deputy Controller. During the
last four years McCooey was one of Nc
Carren's right hand men and a district
leader. He is now mentioned as the logical
ular Democratic candidate for Borough
President OF Brooklyn. while still CON
of $500 He has not resigned. nor has
the Controller compelled him to resign.
Another glar1ng case is that of Joseph
Johnson, Jr., so-called expert account
anti in the Finance Department at a sal
airy OF $1,000. Johnson is the Great Oak OF
the Order of Acorns. He was not holding
Metz appointed him to office and now he is
back in the fold. He still keeps up the
though the order is avowedly founded on
the principle of home rule for the city,
Johnson opened headquarters on Broadway
for regular speeches and demonstrations
in support of the Democratic ticket in
the Presidential campaign last year. Now
he is responsible for and is managing the
exhibit at Union Square in support of
the regular Democratic ticket. He has not
resigned.
Another case is that of Patrick H. Quinn.
chief auditor of the Finance Department.
al a salary of s, 900. He is the Democratic
leader Of the 1st District, in Brooklyn. He
is actively campaigning, and has not re-
signed
Similar cases are those Of Thomas ].
brennan, Deputy Receiver of Taxes in
Regan, auditor, at salary of 5000. and
James Morrisey Gray deputy auditor, at
$500. brennan is the Democratic leader
of the 4th District, Regan Of the 5th and
Gray of the Sth William Leo Mooney the
McCarren leader of the 23d. defeated at
the last primaries. is a deputy city pay
master IN the Finance Department at a
salary OF s2,5o0
OF the other selections, Mr.. Metz is quoted
in a recent interview saying:
II discussed the matter with Van Dusen
who is now one of these auditors of ac-
counts. / meant to take four Democrats
from Tammany and four from Brooklyn
but I found that Tammany had just ap-
pointed several license clerks in Brooklyn
to help Coler, and so / told Sullivan If he
gave these places to Tammany he would
get nothing from my Office. So all the
eight came from Brooklyn"
One of the persons appointed auditor was
Mr.. Metzs own campaign manager and
now the Controller has asked to have him
transferred to the competitive class, so as
TO protect him against possible removal by
the incoming administration.
If those who wish to destroy this system
continue through twelve months of each
year to pay the salaries OF the chief
workers of the organization opposed to
them continue TO bear with the spectacle
of men employed TO do the city's work
actively campaigning for the succession of
the party in power, what chance is there
OF success?