Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-18
CIVIL SERVICE
QUIZ STARTED

JERSEY CITY, May 1s.-The hrst SEES
sion of the Assembly committee
appointed to investigate the alleged
abuses Of the civil service and pension
laws In connection with the police and
fire departments was held yesterday In
nan Pikaart md Assemblyman Beard,
of Essex; Willis, of Morris, and Martin,
of Hudson, were observation-disclosures
Richards, of Atlantic, who is Ill, being
the only absentee.
District Court Judge William l. Lewis,
of Paterson, Who is to do the probing
for the committee, was on hand, and
Corporation Counsel Warren Dixon and
Assistant Corporation Attorney Thomas
Haight were permitted by the committee
to represent the municipal authorities of
this city and to participate in the X
animation of witnesses.
As Judge Lewis Is not familiar with
conditions In the police and fire depart
ments OF this city, 1t is probable that he
will ask the committee to authorize him
to select a local lawyer to assist him.
NAt tOIPolatiph &OhhbOl pkAt
Attorney Haight representing the city 1t
is thought Judge Lewis would be at a dis
advantage because of his lack of knowl-
edge of local affairs and that no results
would be accomplished by the investiga-
ton.
Frank Van Wrinkle, clerk OF the Board
of Police Commissioners, and Police Sur
geon JOIN Nevin were the only witnesses
examined today. Mr.. Van Wrinkle pro
duced the records of the police depart
ment since 1905, the year he assumed the
position of clerk. These records Were
read into the minutes of the committee
proceedings.
Corporation Counsel Dixon, when ht
was given permission TO examine wit
nesses. said tina the city authorities
were willing to give the committee aid
and assistance In an effort to bring out
all the facts. Questioning Clerk Var
Wrinkle, Mr.. Dixon brought out the fact
that under the Pagan administration two
members of its police department hat
oeen retired under the physical disability
act after the regular examining board
of which Police Surgeon Nevin was q
member, had declared them capable oil
doing duty. An examining board of out
side physicians brought this about. Clerl
Van Wrinkle said he knew of nc police
men who were retired against theil
wishes. In the case of Sergeant Michae
Mclaughlin, Van Wrinkle said the retire
nent was voluntary. There was talk Of
Captain Winans Johnson asking for re
tirement. but he did not die a petition
and he was retired by n board of exam
liners under the physical disability law.
Clerk Van Wrinkle, in answer to Judg,
Lewls's questions, said he knew of nj
abuse to the pension or civil service law
and that no complaints of unjust dis
elimination had been made to him.
Police Surgeon Neyln told the commit
tee he had been a practising physician
twenty-six years and had been police sur
geon for twenty-five years. He said Pa
trolman McMahon had made three fulfill
attempts TO retire under the disabilit,
act, and tina it was only after the polio
board had zone over his head and brough
In an outside board of examiners his ef
forts were successful. In the case o
CAPTAIN johnson DR.. Nevins said h
found him suffering from u disease o
the left lower extremities, and that tn
disease was of a progressive nature
which untitled him for police duty.
There will be another session of tn
committee next Friday.