New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Deputies Will Go Out With
Street Cleaning Head
on December 81
Action Hurts People,
Mayor-Elect Charges
O'ReiIly, Hearst's Secre'
tary, Offered City Cham
berlainship

Mayor-clcct Uylan and turned IL down.
Commissioner Fetherston. in letter 20
.he Mayor-elcct. declined the appoint
mont on the day before Christmas. on
that same day Mayor Mitchell accepted
his resignation as Commissioner 70 take
efec. December 81. Commissioner
Fetlcrstou also requested the rcslgna-
fion ~ his deputy commissioners 20
take effect on December 81, and they
complied.
Judge 1Iylau wrote q letter 70 Com
missioner Fetherstop yesterday declsr-
ing that he regarded his action, m re-
ouesting the designations Of his depu-
ties. "as an attempt 20 cripple the De
partment Of Street Cleaning and against
tho interests Of the people Of this city
Hylan Scores Fetherston
Tho Nayor-elect's letter follows:
Il am I'm receipt OF your letter Of the
oath inst. nd have carefully noted the
contents q 'reIu
81 asked YOU + you would continue
in your present position until such time
as ! could familisrize myself with the
problems and requirements OF the De-
psrtment Of Street Cleaning.
"My desire for you 90 continue was
prompted solely for the reason that a.
the present time did not wish 70 have
the public inconveuienced in any way
by a change IN the executive head OF
this very important department
"I understand that after you LETT
my Office you proceeded 20 procure the
resignations Of the present deputy com
Inissioncrs. regard such action on
your part as an attempt 20 cripple the
Department Of Street Cleaning and
against the interests Of tho people OF
this city.
SHOULD your successor desire 10 con-
FER with you. he will acquain; you Of
that fact
Commissioner Fethcrston was sum
moned 10 the headquarters OF Mayor
elect Iylau a. tho Business Mems
League last week and asked if he would
hold over In his present Office. The
commissioner rendered his resignation
20 Mayor Mitchell ON December "a, TO
take effect at the CLOSE OF business
on December 81.
In his declination of Judge Hylan's
offer on December 2i, Commissioner
FethorstOn said:
Il have carefully cons dcred your
offer and know from four years eT-
pcrience. with the new problems aris-
ing every day, that this might result
iu another term as cOmmlssloner.
over a year ago / decided 10 leave
municipal employment or the eXplra-
tion Of my present term Of Office. after
twenty wears work for the city Of New
York in various engineering and eX-
ccutive positions. | am aware or no
adequate reason. official or personal, for
changing this determination. My resig-
nation as commissioner, TO take effect
December 81, 1917, las been accepted.
] highly appreciate your offer, and IN
declining the position viii be glad to
assist YOU and my successor 70 any
reasonable extent in becoming familiar
with the status Of departmental ar
fairs"
There was 81 report at the City Hall
Yesterday that Commissioner Fether-
ston had been offered q commission in
the army. The commissioners declina-
fion leaves Mayor-elcct Hylan al pres
cnt without man Of his personal
choosing for the place.
Mayor Mitchell expressed high appre-
citation OF Commissioner Fetherson's
services in accepting his resignation.
Berth for Hearst's Secretary
J.. j. OEeilly. confidential secretary
90 W. r. Hearst. hss been offered the
appointment as City Chamberlain. 1t
is understood, however. that Mr..
O'Rcilly has not yet accepted Judge
Hylau's offer, but has taken the matter
under serious consideration.
Mr. Hearst issued statement last
night in which hc said he had no candi-
dates for Office under Mayor Hylan.
81 am not in politics for the jobs
ne said, "Uud ] do not iu the least care
whom Mayor Hylan appoints 10 Office
3. I'd n l.. Is|
Scientious men who will serve the
public faithfully and be a credit 90 the
city and 20 the administration
The situation in regard 20 the ap-
pointment of O Corp ration Counsel by
Judge hyian changed somewhat yes
terday when Alfred J. T., ley. Assistant
District Attoruev, called up Hylan
headquarters on the telephone and de-
MED the report that he had withdrawn
as a candidate Tor the place IN favor
OF William Harman Black
IL is understood that Judge Hy.au is
seriously considering the appointment
% Miss Mary Garret Hay. chairman OF
the New York City Suffrage party. AS
Commissioner OF Public Charities. She
has been Endorsed by various suffrage
organizations for the place Miss Hav
said last night, however, that she had
not been offered the position by the
Nayor-elcc,, and did not expect such
an appointment. She declared that il
would be h.ga.y Inappropriate Tor her
10 discuss the matter at this time.
William j. Flynn. chief OF The Secret
Service, still held FIRST place yesterday
tof tne Police COmmissIonerShip. IL
was stated or excellent authority thar
W. i. Hearst had withdrawn his oppo-
siton 90 Chief Flynu's appointment
While Charles +. Murphy has declared
that be had no suggestions 10 make in
regard 10 the Police Commissioner. il
ls understood that Tammany would
look with favor upon the appointment
of Flynn, primarily because Flynn is
an enrolled Republican and IL would
relieve the Murphy organization OF anv
political responsibility for possibla
future police scandals. u was learned
yesterday that Lewis Nixon. former
leader Of Tammany Hall for a short
time. had been offered the Police Com
missionership. but had definitely de.
olined.
James +. MacBridc, Who had charge
Of the publicity work in Judge Hylan's
campaign. was mentioned yesterday for
appointment as president Of the Mu.
nicipal Civil Service commission. az
$4,000 year. Peter 2. Brady. the
labor leader who took an active par,
In the Hylsn campaign. was slated for
supervisor Of "The City Record"