New-York tribune., 1911-03-03

the protests Of the Republican organization,
had classified a large number Of employees
OF the Mcclellan administration in New
York City. Nr Brown said that he him
self suggested 10 Controller Williams the
classification now being considered When
Mr. Williams took Office II was reported he
was going 70 make sweeping changes. He
went 70 him anj suggested that the places
be made competitive and the changes made
after examination. He would not ne
willing to have the new men appointed and
then classified. but wanted the Controller
70 cut of his own patronage. and Mr..
Williams agreed 10 this Nearly all the re
classihcations were made by unanimous
vote Of the commission. and examinations
we're held and all vacancies had been filled
from them
The chairman then denied that he had
voted for the changes
MY feelings in the matter being en-
tirely in the negative" he said, '1 think
would rather explain my own action than
take the explanation Of my colleague at
that time"
He said he told Clark Williams tho
former Controller. that II he would file
with the commission q statement over his
own signature telling his reasons for want
ing 20 put the transfer tax appraisers in
the competitive class he would not vote
against H. He added that the former Con
troller gave his reasons orally instead of
in writing, at the meeting AZ which the vote
was taken.
well, either the minutes Of that meet
ing are wrong" said AR Goodwin. COR your
memory is mistaken"
Mr.. Goodwin held that the records of the
Commission showed that Controller Will
iams had filed his reasons in writing
Chairman Kraft declared that his memory
was very clear on the subject. and that II
Mr.. Williams reasons were filed in writing
it was not AT that meeting
Williams Denies Political Motive.
Mr. Goodwin also called attention 70 the
reports that Controller Wlliams's motive
in asking for placing Of positions in the
competitive class vas 70 protect the Re
pubicans then holding them Re said that
20 find ont whether there was any political
motive in the request he had written 10
MIR Williams. and that the reply he got
Absolutely denied any such idea. The
former Controller said that there had been
under him largo number Of men in the
EXEMPT class, and that II they were IRE
cuently changed 70 meet political eXigencies
for men without experience II would bring
sbout great loss 10 the state, and result
ir the decentralization Of the service. He
declared that the statement that his pur-
pose was a political one could not be up-
held by the facts He ti1en gave many in
oidents Of how he had appointed mon re-
gardles OF politics.
II am aware" said the former state Con-
troller. in his letter. "of the demorallzng
effect Of the present attempt to secure the
exemption OF these positions. and from my
experience as an officer Of the state ] pre-
dict that II the attempt IL successtul u
will render Civil Service in this state
farce"
ANY reflection upon Mr.. Williams" said
Nr Goodwin. turning to Chairman KRAFT
would he Just as much of reflection on
the Civil Service Commission. know that
Won were q member Of that commission
and voted for the changes. Therefore you
ought 10 know whether there vas any
politics in It as far Is the commission was
concerned"
Mr. Goodwin then read the letter from
Mr. Brown. which caused the chairman 10
denv that he had voted for the changes.
At the close Of his speech Chairman krart
asked him if Mr.. Sohmer had been the
Controller last year and made out tie com
petitive examination II would have made
snv difference I'm his attitude toward the
change.