Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-19
PASSING THE BUCK
IS GRUENBERG REPLY
Municipal Research Director
Says Civil Service Commits
sioner camouflages Facts
ASKS PROOF ON SALARIES

Frederick r. Gutenberg, director Of
the Department of Municipal Research,
in letter made public today. charged
William ii. KrCidcr. secretary of tho
Civil Service Commission. with pass
ing the buck" when he recently do
clared that Mayor Smith and the com
mission had completed - per cent Of
the standardization of the salaries of
employees in the city'S service.
Mr.. Kreidcr's statement on August
.1G followed a criticism by Mr.. Grucn
burg of the Mayor and the commission
for negleCting to complete the much de-
sired equalization and standardization
Of salaries in spite of their public prom
ises to do so.
Director Gutenberg charges that Mr..
kreider's answer appeared to bc
written primarily for effect and not as
protest in good faith against any
error on our part
THE fact that from one end to the
other it abounds in misstatements and
halftruths necessarily leads us to this
conclusion he adds.
Director Gutenberg furthermore dc
mands that the commission. to prove
that IS per cent of the work has been
completed. state publicly what parti"-
ular professions. trades and vocational
groups constitute the - per cent claim
cd to have been standardized. And that
the commission be prepared for the 1870
budget with recommendations as to
salary based on the standard said to be
officially adopted by the commission.
Propounds Pertinent Question
The statement in part follows:
Before taking up in detail the vari-
Gus misstatemcntS in your letter. permit
me to draw attention to the main point
at issue. which is the public promise Of
the Mayor and of your commission to
standardize salaries and grades through =
out the city service.
"1n Citizens Business No. 37T. is
sued on August IA, 1919, we make the
statement that this pledge to the public
has not been carried out. 1t is note
worthy, in passing. that we have fire .
ouently made the same statement pub
lcly during the last two years. but un .
iii two days ago no member Of your
commission has appeared in the least
concerned about it. In your letter OF
August 16, however. YOU take issue with
this statement by saying that the work
of standardizing city service is % per
cont complete. Here we have contra =
diction as to the facts in n situation in
which the public is vitally Interested
and the public is entitled to know the
truth. Since the whole problem OF
salary and wage adjustment is bccom
ing so critical for Philadelphia. it Is
surprising. if your program of stand .
ardizati0n is so nearly complete, that
you have not taken the pains before
this to inform the public to that effect.
Suggests Mental Confusion
I'm order that there may not be any
doubt as to the point we have reached
In your program, VIC ask you now tC
state publicly what particular profcs
sions. trades or vocational groups con
stitute the % per cent of the service
which you claim to have standardized
"Will YOU be prepared for the' 1910
budget. to furnish the Mayor and Coun
ellis with your recommendations as tc
salary adjustments in accordance will
standard specifications officially adopted
by your commission!
"As q matter of fact. after care
full perusal of your letter and after re-
calling previous interviews with you,
we cannot but feel that there is con
fusion in your mind as to what stand
ardizaton of salaries and grades really