New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-18
Commissioner Violated Law.

II IS within my knowledge that you on
cally directed the Police Commissioner 70
make appointments for the police force
from the Civil Service eligible list in nu-
mercal order. even forbidding the exercise
Of the usual Discretionary choice OF one
rame out Of three That order. as ! am
informed was intended 10 eliminate. a.
far as was humanity possible the exercise
o. political or other private influence in
the selection OF members OF the police
force Of course. | do not in any way
question the motives Of the Police Com
missioner in doing what he has done, but
call YOUR attention 10 the fact that he
has not only violated the law but has dis
regarded your positive Instructions
] desire also 20 call your attention 10 the
fact that tho Police Department alone. OF
All the branches Of the city government
has repeatedly attempted 70 break down
the Civil Servicv law and 10 take into its
hands functions which 90 not belong 70 II
II has been charged for many years that
candidates f. membership in the police
force have been compelled 70 resort 10 cor
rhpt practices in order 70 prevent them
selves from being rejected by the Police
Departr.ent. even though they rad secured
places on the eligible list provided by the
Municipal Civil Service Commission These
charges. which are Of common knowledge.
taken IN connection with the constant and
deliberate attempts Of that department 10
t.amrle tie Civ.i Service law under foot so
that II might take into its oun hands the
power Of rejecting candidates at will, and
In defiance 81 the law. constitute a grave
scandal
especially and urgently call your atten-
ton 70 the Board Of Police Surgeons and
10 an Official communication sent 70 ne
by Or James p Warbasse. the physician
in charge OF he Bureau Of Physical Fx-
aninations "a copy NJ which have
already forwarded 70 voul. showing that
for five wears this hoard uaged deliberate
war uDon the Civil Service Commission and
that az times IN the past re-eya nination Of
candidates presented by this commission
and 70 iected hv the police surgeons demon
strated that a majority Of those rejected
did not actually have the disabilities for
which the police surgeons had rejected
them for rea sons NJ their own ! have di
rected denomination Of those rejected
case OF the present eligible LIST. and the
commission examination shows that these
men were qualified for service on the police
force and that m two cases az least the
cause ~ rejection alleged by the police
surgeons did not actually exist One NJ the
most surprising things about the unlawful
and insubordinate act % the Police COM
missioner is that he had the audacity 20
pass over men regularly placed on the
eligible list and appoint others a. his own
VII for no other JASON than that he had
postponed Investigation respecting those
whose rights were thus wifullv violated
Knowing how firm you are In YOUR de-
termination % compel obedience 70 the law
OF public officers in your admnistrat ton
and = eliminate as far as possible all on
portunitv for improper influence 10 creep
into the public service 7 have the honor
20 submit III" above for YOUR informa
tio7. I am. with great respect. faithfully
yours. JAMES CREELMAN. President