New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-12
PLEA FOR EFFICIENCY
Grifenhagen Urges Appointment
of Capable Men in Bronx.
MISTAKES MAY BE COSTLY
New County Will Reduce N. Y
Office Staff and Many Ex-
perts Will Be Availabl

The question as to whether or not en-
ployes Of the Registers Office of New
York County may he legally transferred
by the State Civil Service Commission on
January ! TO the Registers Office in the
newly created County OF The Bronx is a
mooted one. Register Grifenhagen has
submitted his views On the subject TO the
commission. II recently asked him for
his opinion.
Register Grifenhagen SAYS:
"On January 1. 1914. Bronx County
comes into existence and with that the
establishment of new county officers. such
as a present exist within the County Of
New York. That part OF the territory
which will be included within Bronx
County Is now a part Of the County OF
New York, consequently the volume OF
business In the New York County offices
will be considerably lessened. and Will as
"A result bring about a reduction in the
force Of men now employed In such New
York County Offices. This reduction has
already been tentatively asked for. and no
doubt the same condition OF affairs pre-
walls in the other county departments
with regard TO their estimate for their
respective offices for the year 1914. and
will require the laying or OF numbers OF
mon now employed therein because OF
lack Of work. which. In eject will amount
10 a dismissal from the service.
Never before has there been such a
wholesale reduction. and unless the same
is properly handled this will result in great
hardships 20 the men so laid of and 20
their families The axe may strike some
who have been for years employed in
their respective Offices. and who. while
they are efficient IN the line Of work I'm
which they are engaged may. because Of
that, be entirely unfit for any other en-
ployment
Il understand that there IL n sharp
conflict OF opinion with respect 10 the
power that is vested In you In permitting
the transfer OF men now employed In the
County Of New York to the County OF
The Bronx ! am Informed that I'm an
opinion given by Attorney General O'Mal-
ley you have such powers OF transfer.
while I'm an opinion recently given by
the present Attorney General II is stated
that you have no such powers. II s not
for me In any way 10 critcise the latter
opinion, except I'm SO far that II such
opinion prevails II Will cause not alone
great hardship to the men whom IL Will
directly affect. but will cause great In
jury TO the public and TO property rights
by starting the new offices In Bronx Coun-
" with a corps Of inexperienced men.
81 am absolutely ard unquallhedly IN
favor Of the adoption OF a rule by your
commission which will permit the trans
fer Of men now employed In the New
York County offices, residing within the
territory known as The Bronx. 10 the
Bronx County offices, and which will alsl
permit the men now residing In the ter
ritory known as The Bronx and employed
in the New York County Offices TO remain
employed in the New York County oiiiye s
after January !. 1914
For the rrasons above stated, and for
several other reasons. II Will: First do
away with determinations against EN-
ployes 10 be laid off. who. in truth. are
entitled TO the same consideration as
any OF their co-employes. Second. these
mon have the training and the expe"i-
ence necessary 20 qualify them for The
work. and any Of them is familiar with
the duties and Is best fitted to UNDERTAKE
n corresponding position in the ne" coun'
~. Third. il Is Of the utmost importance
to the citizens OF Bronx County To nave
their new county Offices started with men
who have had such experience and train
ing SO that system and efficiency viii
nrovau n, the outset and all manner OF