New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-07
CITY PLUMS GREW
FOR FRIGHT ONES"
Civil Service Quiz BareS
Appointments and Rapid
Promotion.
WAY NOT BARRED
BY EXAMINATIONS
Idiot Children Sufferers in Char
ity Economy-Row Over
"Star Chamber Phrase.

The disclosures Of cases in which
men holding municipal positions draw
ing salaries of $4,000 year were mp
pointed under exemption from civil
service requirements, and rapidly pro-
NOTED from their original posts to their
present positions, developed yesterday
during the continued hearing IN the
probe of the Municipal Civil Service
Commission by the State Board.
Harold c. Todd, Supervising lnspec-
tor of Buildings. at $4,000 year. test
fed that he was appointed without
civil service examination TO the posi-
ton of Confidential Inspector of Pub
lie Buildings by former Borough Presi-
dent McAneny shortly after graduation
from Columbia in 1910. The post OF
Confidential Inspector gave him super
vision over janitors. engineers, clean
erS and elevator runners IN public
buildings. The post was vacated after
the election of the present city ana
borough administration 10 make room
for the appointment Of Howard Bern
baum, n nephew of Borough President
Marcus NJ. Marks.
Todd. who had been drawing a salary
of 81 800 year, was promoted TO
poSition, not before in existence, un-
der the designation of Supervising In
spector of Public Buildings, at salary
of $4,000 in his new job. He has since
entered for competitive examination
TO retain this position, and admitted
that he had been consulted as to the
advisability of so doing by Commits
sioner rockingham Of the Department
of Public Buildings.
Mr. Goldsmith, Superintendent OF the
Asphalt Plant, went into office at a
salary of $1,000 year in the city's
employ. Since last April he has been
drawing salary of $4,000. Tie never
took an examination until three weeks
ago under the Civil Service Commits
sion of this city. when he had only
two competitors. He admitted that he
had n brother n the employ OF the
Public Service Commission. Goldsmith
- said 30 be a relative of Mrs. Me
Anenv, wife Of the present President
of the Board Of Aldermen.
DetailSwere brought forth as TO men
holding civil service positions IN the
Department Of Public Works. A man
named Pritchett. who is designated on
the pay roll as sewer cleaner, II de-
yeloped. was At present attached 10
the main Office in the Municipal Build
ing. and according to his testimony his
work consisted OF running errands.'
lie has been doing this for three weeks
because he has "cut in his arm.
When asked by President Neu how
he had received the injuries 10 his arm
he admitted that he had been cut with
a knife "at a racket
jeremiah J. Lynch. who was original
~ rated a. a mason" OF whom there
are only three or four. was switched TO
a Job supervising repair WORK, Tor
which duties William Kline draws a
salary of $4,000, under the designation
of general inspector Al 50 90 day
Lynch recently took an examination
for the post Of foreman bricklayer" in
the Bureau of Sewers IN order 70 quail
fly for an increase of So.
The examination was first scheduled
as one for foreman mason but this
examination was discontinued after
protest by the Mason and Bricklayers'
international Union and that Of fore
man bricklayer" substituted. 4 com
munication from the union was intro
duced in evidence yesterday protest
ing against the latter examination.
Dr.. II. c. Schlapp. head Of the clear
ing house for mental detectives Of the
Post Graduate Hospital. stated that
the care Of idiot children ~ instltu-
tions constituted one or the most I'M
rortant problems in connection with
The prevention of crime He insisted
that. In his opinion. children con-
mitted 20 Randall's Island should not
be taken out Oh grounds OF possible
economy. "because they are menace
to society,"
A letter from Commissioner John \.
Fingsburv. written in October. 1913.
whcn he was superintendent of the So
cioty for Improving the dtion Of
the Poor, was introduced into evi-
denCe.
In this letter Mr. Kingsbury praised
the work C the clearing house, and
said that he wished for its maiDte-
nance.
In spite Of this the evidence showed
that Commissioner KingsDurv. since
hie incumbency in Office, had caused the
transfer Of one stenographer and one
psychologist from the clearing house
aud when Dr. Schlapp undertook 10
raise his private subscription fund
for the work had requested him not TO
DO so. As the result Of this loss Of
lNlurs III. ~ iidlF SNdA'NF 'iN W. r.
lad been cut 80 per cent.
During the course Of Or. Schlapps
examination Frederic Coudert. rpe-
cial council for the municipal commits
SION. objected to the Introduction of
certain testimony. His objections
we're ovcrruled by Judge Neu. presi-
+ dent OF the state commission.
A wordy war ensued between Mr.
Coudert and Judge Neu. in the course
of which the former characterized the
inquiry as a star chamber proceed
ing"
"If you desire TO proceed without
counsel" said Mr.. Coudert, 81 am will
ing 10 leave the room and let you carry
on any star chamber inquiry you de-
sire"
THAT Characterization | resent TO
the utmost" shouted President Neu,
"and YOU may leave the room
Mr.. Coudert said that then the in
curry would indeed be a star chamber
proceeding. but that he would go, if or
dered to do SO. Judge Neu informed
him that the municipal commission
was represented by other counsel and
that he was free to go if he 50 desired.
Mr. Coudert did not take advantage Of
the permission to leave, and the in