New-York tribune., 1918-01-30
Why =?

mission is trying to do with regard to the
appointment of chief medical Inspector
becomes apparent from what it is trying
not to do. 1t is trying not to leave the
eligible list SO that the Mayor must ap-
point from it one of the three men who
in competitive examination found places
thereon. In other words, it is endeavor
ing to manipulate the list SO as to permit
the Mayor to appoint, with a color of
compliance with the law, some man who
finds favor with him, but whose name
did not find Judgement among the first
three on the list.
Whether this endeavor will stand a test
in the courts remains to be seen. From
any point Of view it is lamentable thing
thaF such q test will have to be made. The
purpose of the law creating the Office Of
...s.,..cel examiner was twofold. One idea
was to get away from the system whereby
coroners pawns in the political game,
were elevated to an Office Of Importance
for which, in character and attainments,
they were usually unqualified. The sec
end was to get into office men of proved
experience and technical attainments.
skilled in certain scientific branches
which would enable them to ascertain ac-
curatcly the caNses of deaths of unusual
character or from violence, in order to
protect the public against crime and to
aid in the detection and punishment Of
criminals. The way TO accomplish the
dual purpose seemed plain to those who
advocated the change, to the legislators
who passed the bill and to the Governor
Who signed it. 1t was TO hold competi-
tive examination, under civil service rcgu.
ations at which the fitness Of candidates
should be determined and the choice
among them made according to the infor-
nation thus gathered
The examination having been held and
the eligible list established. the Mayor
ignored it, appointing temporarily to this
Office a coroner whose past performances
had been one of the chief arguments for
the aboishmcnt of the coroner system.
Owing to the storm of protest which arose
ii seems to be the plan now to drop him.
but to appoint a physician whose name
finds place on the eligible list only be-
,au.e OF a rc-rating which has advanced
his standing beyond that Of the candli
date previously tlird on the list
Such a course will not comply with the
spirit Of the law creating the Office OF
medical examiner. AS Mr.. Jerome well
said to the Civil Service Commission
"You can't make the public believe that
these men who have won their standing or
the eligible list in open competition are
untitled to be appointed to the position
of chief examiner" If they are not un
tittcd, why should they be passed over:
Why, when the first test Of this new sys
tenn is to be made, should not the man a,
the head Of the list, whose experience an,
qualifications have not been questioned
be appointed forthwith and permitted te
organize his office?
IF this Office is properly administered
it will produce prompter and more scien
tific investigation of suspicious deaths
than the coroners ever gave; it will assure
better evidence for the prosecuting Off
Gals, and therefore better judicial pro
codurc: it will tend to diminish crime. ant
so to protect lives; it will save the cit,
considerable sums of money. The triu
Of the plan is q matter Of wide impor
tancc. No man less good than the bes
ontainable should bc put into the lob
Why all this backing and filling by MAYO
Hylan and his Civil Service Commission