New-York tribune., 1910-12-20
INQUIRIES AS TO POTTER
| {. Opdycke, as Taxpayer, De-
nands Results of Investigation.
uaYoR AND F0SDIcK REFUSE
r,e.s Would Be Useful to Civil
Service Commission, He Says
MAY Appeal to Courts.

-.-s-5 z. t,pdycke. in bis capacity as 8
.--,eve-. presented q request TO Mayor
r.r,o- and 70 RAYMOND B Fosdick- Com
S.rx,oner of Accounts. yesterday for copies
-ne reports he had been led TO suppose
.ssss;ter had submitted TO the Mayor IN
- "a the Official conduct of DR.. Daniel
: pcs1er. who had been temporarily ap-
S,.-.ss superintendent Of the citys ambu-
isnce service
I-o,,-,issioner Fosdick told him he was
..-,-rb with the case and could make
-,.hinr public without the consent Of the
,rs-.o- Mayor Gayncr told Mr.. opdycke
o. commissioner Fosdiek had never made
ag-r,al report. bui had sent in two con-
@s,.-;al communications. whicE he did not
O., n liberty 10 make public
~ rpdvcke felt that there was some
.As,g IN she communications of Commits
80 Fossick regarding his investigation
= he ,nrduct Of DR.. Potter as former head
r -ba Bureau of Charitable Institutions IN
.1s finance Department. that the Civil Ser
.,ica Commission should know in making a
ns,ision whether or not 70 make DR.. Pot
prs appointment permanent.
The civil Service Commission said yester-
ssT that II had examined DR. Potter as 10
his qualifications on Friday. but was not
ready 10 announce sny decision
Some tine ago Bishop Greer wrote 70
.svor. Caynor recommending the appoint
-ner+ es Dr- Potter. but it was learned yes
-e-sa, that he had since withdrawn his
Ietter.
Il was understood that Mr.. opdycke, if
necessary. might appeal 10 the courts for
sd in getting the Fosdick communications
m n~. Potter before the public Regard
s-r MS interest in the case Mr. Opdycke
sid last night
IT IL important that the members Of the
C+z-n Service Commission. who are about
n decide whether or not TO confirm Dr.
rorrer's recent appointment as director OF
IRE ambulance service. at a salary Of 5000,
er-47t 70 have all available and Trustworthy
irfornlation regarding his character and al
TaiHments.
Having occ1lnfed in the Controllers Office
7i,e -,osr Of chief examiner Of charitable in
efff77tiors ,lnder- Controllers Crout and
asetz Dr.. Potter resigned last spring, 4
few DAYS after Controller Prendergast
started an inquiry into the conduct OF the
f77-esu Of private charitable institutions OF
his deaa-t-nept. shortly afterward he was
s;,pofnte,a by q divided vote Of the board
- ambulance service to the Office Of di-
rector Of that service, and the board re-
c5.ested the civil Service Commission 10
sanction the appointment without coEnpeu-
Tive examination.
a little later in June. the Mayor wrote
- Commissioner Baker. then chairman OF
7}-e ambulance board. a letter insisting that
s. --zs the policy Of the administration TO
III surb Vcsitions by competitive examina-
-io, ,-hare71pan the Civil Service ConlIllis-
sinu decided thus TO fl Il.
Parts Of Dr Potter's official career were
made The subject Of investigation also by
the Commissioner Of Accounts. Nr- Foe
6fck. While this investigation was IN prog
-ress The Mayer, IN November, i1tiInated
-hst its results constituted 1efut2tlon OF
certain so-called charges against Dr. rot
-er. and intirnated g favorable disposition
toward r1st gentleman
on November q the hoard of ambulance
service. again by 2 divided vote. appolnteo
T4T=ootter director Of the service cad again
~esues-eg the Civil Service. Commission to
reljeve Or. Potter from the competitive re-
CuiTements Of tne law
-.9rer7r-lv. on November 2, the Civil Ser
vice commission. also by a d1Vloed Note'
5a4,sAs e., comply with this request, and
offered n SET q non-eompetitiye eKamlna-
INN =, md ont if ~. was a high and recos-
rized expert
We are informed that DR. Potter SUD
rrirre6 70 this examination on the lSth lhsI'
.r5 -rs+ fhe civil Service Commission, IN
ne absence Of information not now pos
sesses hv i is likely TO confirm the ap-
7,of7+-7ert. and thus TO render the ap-
r7f-+ees tenure Of Office as permanent as
= "a t,s5 yran II hH competitive eXamlna-
7loE