Evening star., 1939-01-15
Tammany Tiger Perturbed
As College Boys Join Hunt
New York City Becomes Laboratory for Internes
in Civil Government, Many of
Whom Get Jobs
BY John Lear.
Associated Press Stah Writer.

be read as background before the "in-
terne" is permitted to begin flrst-hand
observation In the municipal govern
ment itself.
Only honor Enthusiastically the top
quarter of each class-are eligible for
the work. They come from Columbia
University, New York University, Ford
ham University, City College OF New
York, Brooklyn College, Hunter College,
st. Josephs College for Women, Man
haitian College, Barnard College and the
Polytechnic Institute. Forty are actually
at work now; when the program Is 60
ing full blast, 125 are expected to be
included.
The study subjects are chosen through
system combining theoretical and
practical thought. committee of pro-
fessors at each school drafts a list of
things it believes should be inquired into.
At the same time, Commissioner Her.
lands office drafts comparable list.
The two lists are telescoped.
Students volunteer their services, and
choose their subject by agreement with
the professors. This choice is not flna
however. until approved by the Herlands
Office. Approval depends on the outcome
of interviews conducted by Harold Seid
man, Brown and Yale scholar, who is
director of the research division of Her.
lands domain. Rejection is unlikely
but switches in subjects to fit individual
| qualifications are frequent.
| Once accepted, the "interne" goes back
to school and takes up his background
reading. That finished, he reports to his
professor and suggests whatever inter-
views with city officials or whatever OBJ
servations of city departments he con-
siders necessary to completion Of his
task If the suggestions seem reasonable
and practical to the professor, the "in-
terne" goes to Seidman and through
Seidman to the ground floor of the
government
Many Fields Are Investigated.
The studies are not limited to Ques-
tions of law or economics. They cover
all phases of government in thorough,
scientific fashion.
Chemistry students, for example NAV
make an important contribution to the
community by analyzing materials in
volved in purchases, or by checking up
on adulteration of foods.
Engineering students, similarly NAV
bring to light extravagances or weak
nesses in construction jobs paid for by
the taxpayers.
Mathematics students may dig out
statistical material and correlate it into
new significances.
Whatever the project, the 'interres
findings and conclusions are carefully
balanced against the practical experience
OF investigation department experts in
determining the final result. This pre-
cludes any possibility of ill-considered
reform for the sake of reform"
For their work. the "internes" get no
pay. Nor are they promised jobs as
| rewards for their efforts. It is the hope
| OF fusion leaders, however, that places
may be found for perhaps the top five
"lnternes" each year and that the others
may be given an experience" rating in
civil service competition.
At any rate-as Commissioner Her
lands views 1.-THE plan will provide
young men interested in government
with an opportunity to meet political
leaders without hanging around the
political clubs" 1t will also teach the
rising generation to be good citizens as
we'll as good lawyers or good doctors"
And, in the three remaining years of
the fusion administration, it may make
| once-fierce Tammany as impotent as the
tattered tigerskin rug which lies as
political trophy on Mayor La Guardia's S
| City Hall ofice floor.