New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-29
CONLEYS MANY TESTS
After Two Failures He Secures
Job on Reratln1.
WHAT is A STEN0GRAPHER?
Drummond's Appointments In
terest Civil Service Re
form Association.

| The recent appointment VI "a
H. Conley TO the position OF deputy Heul'"'
| superin,endent Of the metropolitan HOS
initial on Blackwell's Island, has been
matter of investigation by the Clvil ser
vice Reform Association. Or. Cohley was
formerly confidential stenographer l"l
Michael J. Drummond Commissioner ol
Public Charities. His appointment 10 the
staff of the Backwels Island hospitai
came on August /, after long ana per-
sistent experience with civil service eA-
aminations. Elliott H. Goodwin, secretary
OF the Civil Service Reform Association
said Yesterday. in answer to inquiries. that
the attention Of the Civil Service Commits
sioners would be called 10 the circum-
stances leading up TO Or. Coneys appoint
ment.
Commissioner DTummond said yesterday
that his appointment Of DR.. Conley mad
been made with all proper regularity as
far as his department was concerned. lie
said he followed the law in civil service
matters. had Mayor Gaynors approval as
10 the manner in which ne ran his depart
ment. which he desired above everything
else. and beyond that he cared little about
what others might think. He considered
Or. Coniey an excellent man for the posi-
ton.
First Examination in June, 1910.
II appears that DR. Conley took his first
civil service examination for the place or
deputy medical superintendent on June q,
1910 There are several such places in the
Department OF Charities, all Of which are
competitive. a prior examination for these
places was held on March 10, 1910. and an
eligible list obtained at that time. This list
was-cancelled on April Il OF that year. for
reasons which do not appear. Pending
new examination, and In the absence or an
eligible list. Commissioner Drummond ap-
pointed three physicians TO fill the places OF
deputy medical superintendents temporarily.
The Commissioner has the power under the
civil service law TO make such temporary
appointments in case of an emergency, such
as arose in this instance.
The temporary appointees were DR..
William A. Polglase. DR. Scofeld and DR..
burning. These three men also took the
June examination in 1910. Conley and the
temporary appointees all failed In TINS eX-
animation. il was said. The reason given
for their failure was that they did not
fulfil the technical requirements for the
position. There was an adequate eligible
list esta blished at this examination. but no
appointments were made. Nine names APP
reared on the list. This list was cancelled
en- November .. 1910 at the request or
Commissioner Drlmmond, who stated that
the persons on the list did not have the
necessary administrative experience. Drs.
Polglase. Scofeld and Burning were con-
t!nued in the places and paid for their
labors pending another examination.
The third examination was held on Janu-
ary Is. 1911 Three candidates passed at
that time They were. in their order Of
rating. DR.. Charles F. sanborn. DR.. Ed
ward +. McSweeney and Or. Poiglase. The
three names we're supplied TO the Commits
sioner and he appointed the third man.
DR. Polglase. Drs. Scofeld, Burning and
Conley also failed to pass this examina-
ton. il was said They appealed from the
rating and in May. 1911. the Civil Service
commission re-rated Burning and Conley.
and put them on the list in that order.
The commission denied the appeal OF Or.
Scofeid.
on Nav 81 the commission dlsquallnen
Dr sanborn. the man a the mead OF
the list. on the ground Of discrepancies IN
his statements as 10 his experience Inc
list then stood: insolvency first. Burning
second and Coney third. This list was
certified. insolvency was passed over ana
burning and Conley received the appoint
ments on August l.
The appointment OF Conley left open the
nosition Of confidential stenographer to the
charities Commissioner which is In the
exempt class Commissioner Drummohd
amounted John b. Meehan 10 the place
The question Is being considered by the
Civil Service Reform Association as to the
qualifications Of Meehan on the ground that
his qualifications as stated in the terth-
cate required 70 be filed in exempt cases
nv the appointing officer. may not warrant
his appointment.