New-York tribune., 1914-11-26
CITY PIANO CRITIC
IN MORTAR BERTH
inspector of MasOn's Ma
terials" Aided Musical
Purchases.
CIVIL SERVICE QUIZ
BARES MORE ODD JOBS
One Witness Admits Increasing
Own Salary-Hospital Con-
ditiOns Shown.

Attention OF the State Civil Service
Commission Yesterday was called TO the
case OF so-called inspector OF ma
sons materials" In the Building Bureau
o. the Department Of Education, whose
chief duties. according TO his own tcstl-
mony. appear TO consist in drawing
specifications" for pianos TO be pur-
chased for public school use.
This witness was Caleb w Cameron,
who draws n salary Of $3.50 yenr-
a 900 in excess of all other inspectors
working in the Building Bureau Of the
Department Of Education. The title
that goes with the other positions is
that Of inspector OF masonry and
carpentry" Several Of them testified
they had previously worked at their re
.pcctiye trades as carpenters or ma
sons. that they had obtained their
positions in the bureau after success
fully passing competitive civil service
examinations. and were performing
duties corresponding TO their designa-
tions on the city payrols.
Cameron testified that he had never
worked as n mason and that he 10
brother-in-law Of c. B. J. Snyder, head
Of the bureau in which he is employed.
He also stated that he had never
worked as piano maker or organ
builder, but asserted that experience
as an organist had made him familiar
with the various parts Of such instru-
ments.
Dr. Wilson, director Of the Bureau
of Hospitals Or the Department OF
Public Health, testified that he had
complete supervision over the Willard
Parker Hospital, Kingston Hospital,
Otisville Sanatorium and other such in
stitutions, which come under the jurls-
diction Of the Health Department. Up
10 four months ago. the witness test-
fed. his title had been that Of super
intendent OF Hospitals AZ $4,000 year
but that last June his title had been
changed to that Of director and his sal
airy increased 10 $4,000. although he
said that he is still performing the
same duties as formerly.
DR.. Wilson testified 10 the employ
mert Of "domestics" and "ordcries' as
telephone operators in the hospitals.
although there is an eligible list fof
switchboard operators. He told OF The
case Of Anna Fennell. a domestic,
whose real duties consist OF operating
the switchboar Of the Willard Parker
Hospital He placed the responsibility
for these conditions on the Board OF
Estimate. stating he haG frequently
called the attention Of the latter body
10 the facts. but that the board refused
TO provide for the employment OF quail
fed operators on the ground that there
were not sufficient funds.
Judge Neu. chairman OF the state
hoard. observed: at is the duty OF the
municipal commission TO INFORM the
Board Of Estimate that the latter body
is deliberately permitting fragrant vio-
latiors Of the civil serv CO regulations
and 20 demand the correction Of these
conditions"
Assistant Corporation Counsel Stover
said the matter would be called 10 the
attention of the city authorities.
Miss Anna Gsynor, employed as
Hospital clerk" in the Willard Parker
Hospital. testified she was the nurse ~
attendance upon Mayor Gaynor a. the
time Of his death. 4 year ago last Sep
tember. on the White Star liner Baltic.
She explained that she was no, rela-
tive Of the late Mayor.
Miss Gaynor said she received her
appointment without taking any com
netitive examination, and nine months
AGO. with FIVE other Hospital clerks
sought 20 have her designation changed
20 that of clerk" 20 take advantage OF
promotion examinations and TO be
eligible for transfer 10 service In other
ci-y departments The request was de-
n,cd in the case Of the others. several
of whom had been appointed after
passing civil service examinations. IN
Miss Gaynor's case i was eventually
Granted