New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-11
WRONG, SAYS CREELMAN
Civil Service Reformers Have
Been MisIed, He Tells Mayor.
UPHOLDS GAYN0R CHARTER
Mayor Agrees That There Is No
Intention to Destroy State
Civil Service Statute.

Correspondence passing between Mayor
Gaynor and James Creelman. who has been
head Of the Municipal Civil Service Com
mission less than two weeks, the purpose
of which was TO show that the Civil Service
Reform Association was wrong when II
said that provisions Of the proposed new
charter would destroy the authority OF the
state Civil Service law. was made public at
the City Hall yesterday.
Mr. Creelman wrote TO the Mayor:
Hon William J. Gaynor.
Mayor of the City Of New York.
NY Dear Mr. Mayor: ] am surprised 70
find in the newspapers this morning ex-
tracts from the annual report Of the OK
ecutive committee Of the civil Service Re
form Association declaring that the pro
visions OF the proposed new charter for the
city "destroy entirely the authority Of the
civil Service law itself and nothing
would remain in the way OF Clvil SerNlce
reform regulations but the brief and gen
eral mandate contained in the constitution
and a set OF mere administrative rules
founded on H. but supported by no statue
and established by the Mayor and the Clvll
Service Commission appointed ana removed
Al the will Of the Mayor
Four DAYS before this report was MADE
public I went over this particular matter
with YOU and also with a representative or
the Corporation Counsels ofhce. and was
assured that the proposed charter prov
sions would leave the general Civil Service
law Of the state in full force. save that lLis
Municipal Civil Service Commission Woulu
be relieved from supervision and control 9y
the State Civil Service Commission Ny
undcrsta nding is that the entire civil oet-
vice law Of the state viii remain un,n-
pa red in any way. save in this psrflcuIat'
should the provisions Of the new charter
become a law.
I know how anxious YOU are 20 oppose
any change that viii break down the PLAIN
purpose Of the state law or lessen Us vleoI
and effectiveness ! know how devoted
YOU are to the idea Of selecting puohc en-,
poyes according 10 their merit ascerIaL..su
b. reasonable tests and under equal condl-
tons Of competition, and also Know now
resoute YOU have beer in attempting tne
difficult task Of eliminating partisan cohS,o-
erafiOns N the administration or the PUBIC
service of this first municipal government
in the world
Either my understanding Of the erect or
the provisions Of the new charter Is WnouF
wrong or the Civil Service Reform Asso-
cations committee has been misled INTO
publishing q gross Misrepresentation
@''' JAMES CREELMAN, President
To which the Mayor replied.
city Of New York. once Of the MAYOR
Nav 10. 1911
Sir: Your favor of May 5 concernlns re
COMMITTEES of the Civil Service Reform As-
ISOLATION that the proposed ne" Charter
would repeal or destroy the state Ilvii SCI
vice law in respect Of this city, is at mana.
There is no intention by any one 70 oe-
stroy the authority OF the state ClNH ser
vice statute in this city. and the language
of the proposed new charter does not DO SO
but out u abundance Of caution we VIII
have changes made IN the language II nee
essary.
II is very discourag ing for officials who
are doing all they can for the good govern
r1ent Of the city 20 he constantly met WIN
such exaggerations. but ~ Is thing wnlch
7 an, willing to bear and YOU must earn
10 bear II these people had come 10 me
and pointed out any doubt IN the matter
7 would have been glad 70 sit down Win
the committee Of craftsmen who have the
charter I'm hand and have the matter put
beyond doubt but like so many others
they do not prefer that course. Very truly
yours. ". J. GAYNOR, Mayor