Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-01-11
,M'E|ERNAN WON'T
QUIT; WILL FIGHT
Playground Custodian Claims
Protection of Civil Sery-
ice Laws.
BOARD Is REFUSED
OFFICIALS RESIGNATION
NeW Commission Wants Most
Efficient Man in Country
for Position.

steps will at once be taken by the
hoard of Playground Commissioners
to Dust william j. McKiernan as
Supervisor of the play centres. This
action was decided upon at meeting
OF the commissioners yesterday after
n05n, after Mr.. McKiernan, who is
NIX rated as custodian without pay,
had refused the invitation of the
board to resign. He still contends that
he Is protected by civil service, and
today declared that he expected to re-
main as supervisor and custodian of
the fairgrounds:
Throughout the meeting Mr.. Me-
Kfefnan sat unmoved and listened
calmly to the. implied criticisms of his
work. and to the discussion of the
commissioners of his successor, who,
theg said must be man capable of
fl1ing the position" Permission was
also refused him, to read his report
Fer 1912, on the ground that If the
faatter is carried into the courts it
fzfkht be construed as recognition
BY the commission that he is still
eHuklsrvisor The report in question
! he vas forced to file with the secre-
tarx
says McKierBan Must Go.
Speaking for the commission Presi-
dat Sweeney declared that Mr. Nc
Herman had been given every oppor-
tnnity to step out gracefully but that
. il Necessary he would be put out"
Cif$ Attorney Boggs.. he said, is at
reesent at work on an opinion rela-
TIE to his standing, and that if 1t is
foand he is protected by civil service
h& will be discharged "for cause, !"
AIDING that plenty could be found.
Mr.. McKiernan later said that he had
nd idea of relinquishing the position,
which carries a yearly salary of $500,
Without a fight.
Diminishing the McKiernan matter
the commissioners considered plans
for the repair of some of the recre-
alton houses, for a reorganization of
supervisory forces, for survey by
experts of the entire problem for CO.
operation with other city DEPART
n,ents and for playground congress
at which authorities from all over the
country will offer advice.
IF Mr.. McKiernan believes" said
Mr.. Sweeney, that he is protected
: by civil service and doesn't intend
voluntarily to relinquish his position.
certainly we have no objection to his
trying it out in the courts, but
hdon't think he ought to meet the
gcourtesy of the. board by trespassing
upon its good nature in offering a
report of a supervisor, as such; if
NE wanted the report we would. have
asked for it."
Mr.. McKiernan explained that 1t
was only report concerning the
work done last year. and President
Sweeney replied that the board was
not interested in what had been done
in the past, but in what was to be
done in the future.
Commissioner Stanley moved that
Mr.. McKiernan be given the oppor-
: tunity to resign, and that the entire
board act as a committee to find "a
= suitable and Efficient supervisor,
whether a resident of this or some
other city.
wanted 10 frcstht htpOtt.
Commissioner La vecchia asked IL
Mr. McKiernan would make a state
ment concerning that motion.
1.-THE only statement I would like
to make" retorted Mr.. McKiernan,
would besto read my annual report.
There are always two sides to ques-
tion, and you gentlemen have heard
only one side. The report would be
something in extenuation at least
1t was decided that the custodian
could hand his report to the secretary
to be examined by the commissioners
If they chose, with the understanding
that it was not submitted in the
capacity of supervisor.
At the outset of the meeting Presi-
dent Sweeney read comprehensive
statement of the playground situa-
hon and indicated in some detail the
Ines of endeavor which would be fol-
lowed
Commissioner Stanley presented a
complete inventory of all playground
property and made recommendations
concerning repairs to buildings, the
razing of the building at SO waverly
avenue and the desrability of secur-
lIiS lCi Luz tic
at City Hall. His recommendations
were concurred in. He suggested that
because of the annoyance caused to
patients and nurses at the German
Hospital through children playing on
NE Newton street grounds these
Grounds be sold and the proceeds used
ii securing another site, and this sug-
festion was adopted.
Al communication from Mr.. Nc
Herman was read eAlarging upon
the hards1ips he said had been
worked on children through the clos
ing of recreation houses which had
previously afforded more warmth and
comfort than many of the children's
homes, and urging they be re-opened.
no action was taken.
other Departments to Help.
Letters from several city depart
uzents were read announcing the ap-