New-York tribune., 1918-01-31
DR.. Charles Norris
Is Appointed Chief
Medical Examiner
Bellevue Pathological Head
to Succeed Riordan, Who
Served Temporarily

Mayor Hylan last night announced
the appointment, for n "probationary
term OF three months,' of Dr. Charles
Norris. head of the pathological de-
partment of Bellevue Hospital, as Chicl
rick ID. Eiordan, whose temporary term
expires to-day. The Mayor also an
nounccd the appointment Of Arnold Il
MacStny as permanent Commissioner Of
tho Street Cleaning Department. lie
has bccn acting since January /.
The Mayors statement on tho np-
pontmcnt Of Dr. Norris explains why
he appointed DR.. Riordan temporarily
and declares that he never contcm-
plated appointing him for longer
period than the thirty days permitted
by law.
The Riordan appointment aroused
much criticism from the Civil Service
Reform Association and other bodies
because the former Coroner was not
rated in the civil service eligible list
Or. Norris was second on the eligible
list. DR.. Otto II. Schultzc was first
Tho Mayor recently instructed all
heads Of city departments to make ap-
pointmcnts from the head Of tho eli
ciblc list or consult him where there
appeared to be some reason for taking
the second or third man from the head
OF the list, as The Civil Service law
permits
Inquiry to Go ON
While the Mayors appointment OF
Or. Norris would appear to lcsscu to
some extent tho necessity for continu-
ing the present investigation Of tho
eligible list by the Municipal Civil Ser
vice Commission, with view Of dis
carding it, the Mayor declared that the
investigation would PROCEED until tho
alleged charges of "fraud. deceit and
favoritism" in regard to the COMPETE
head of the list had been siftcd
II have appointed DR.. Norris to day.
said the Mayor $50 that he may confer
with DR.. Riordan and be prepared to
take hold Of the office with some under
standing Of what has been done in the
organization of the now department. 1t
was never contemplated that DR.. Rior-
dams appointment should be for a
longer period than the thirty days per
mitted by law. When ] came into Office
on January I ! was confronted with
the necessity of providing an immc-
date successor to the Board Of Coron
crs, which went out of existence on
December 81 by Legislative enactment
The public interest demanded that that
office be filled Immediately"
After explaining that it was impos-
sible to obtain a ccrtiiicaton of the
o1 ~ih l,.,t xl..
said in regard to the present investiga-
tion by the Civil Serv &c Commission:
Some of these charges have been
justified by the evidence taken by the
Civil Service Commission. But both
that commission and the Mayor are
loath to do any injustice to any one,
and no hasty or i'll considered action
will be taken. Justice will eventually
be done, and in arriving at that con
clusion every man will be given a full
opportunity to be heard"
keyes Barred by MacBride
James f. MacBridc, president of tho
Municipal Civil Service Commission
yesterday barred George r. Keyes. sec.
retary of the Civil Service Reform As.
soc'ation, from appearing before tho
commission.
"S.ouoc Sou nave Dcen guilty OF
violation Of confidence and a dishonor
aole act you cannot appear before thi:
commission. | shall notify YOUR asso
clation. and it can arrange to be repre-
sentcd, said Mr. MacBridc. who therc
upon told Mr.. Keyes that the inciden
WAS closed
You cannot charge me with = dis
honorable act, and then declare th
matter closed,' replied Mr.. Kcyes, heat
edly. ''NA
The controversy rested on the fac
mat Mr.. keyes had allowed william
!ravers Jerome, counsel for candidate
Tor the position Of Chief Medical ok
amlncr on the eligible list. to scc
brief drafted by Nh. MacBride in sun
port OF a contention, approved by tn
city commission and argued before tn
state Civil Service Commission, tha
favored putting the Office of Chic
Medical Examiner in the exempt elias.
Mr.. MacBride read his brief at a nuh
lie hearing Of the state commissior
and gave out copies Of it to the re
porters.
He gave me copy at my request
and absolutely without any rcservatio
RS to its usc,' said Mr. Kcyes las
night.
MacStay Fetherston's Aid
Street Cleaning Commissioner Mac
Stay was secretarpy Of the department
under Commissioner John r. Fethel
ston, and later was appointed deput
COMMISSIONER. with headquarters j
The Bronx. When Commissioner Fct[
erston went out Of Office with tn
Mitchell administration on Deccmbe
81 Mr.. MacStay was appointed actin
commissioner and has served in tn;
capacity since. The salary is $500
The new commissioner announce
the appointment of Alfred L. Mcehay
of GO West End Avenue, as secretar
of the department. to succeed Joscp