his

"In company with Chief Examiner Saxton I reached Oswego on the evening of October 24th. The following morning we had a session with the Oswego Civil Service Commission. A thorough, careful and exhaustive analysis of the papers submitted by Mr. Halpin in his recent examination, also, a comparison with papers submitted in the previous examination, convinced both Mr. Saxton and myself, that the Civil Service Commission of Oswego conducted the test, fairly, honestly and without prejudice or discrimination against any of the candidates. Likewise that the examination was properly conducted and satisfactory in every respect. The arithmetic problems in the recent examination were not as technical as those in the previous test. No individual could find fault with the rating allowed in the recent examination, nor even insinuate that the answers were not written by Mr. Halpin. As you are aware, there was no complaint from any individual in Oswego regarding the recent examination for "permanent fireman." The only reason for an investigation by the State Civil Service Commission being, the surprising improvement by Mr. Halpin in the recent test compared with the previous examination in which he was a candidate. I might add that Mr. Halpin could have been, and perhaps should have been, rated even more liberally than he was, by the local commission, in the examination.

"True, there were eleven who were eligible to take this examination while only three appeared. This is, no doubt, explained somewhat by the attitude of the local fire and police board of Oswego, which for some years has refused to recognize lists established by the Oswego Civil Service Commission. To my mind, it seems advisable, almost necessary, that the charter of the city of Oswego should be amended so as to overcome obstacles presented by this bipartisan board.

"In the case of Hiram Dutcher, candidate in the recent examination for janitor of public schools, Mr. Saxton and myself found that he was rated fairly and honestly, in fact liberally, on each of the subjects which went to make up the examination. Saturday afternoon October 25th, there was an examination held by the Oswego Civil Service Commission, for the position of

Assignment of Attendant to Special Attendant-Clerk, Middletown State Hospital

A letter from Superintendent Ashley, Middletown State Hospital, July 21st, concerning the appointment of Miss Leonora E. Weller, attendant, $25 per month, to the position of special attendant-clerk, $35 per month, was read. On motion the appointment was approved, effective August 1, 1913, the Commission being satisfied that no one on the list for the position of junior clerk would be willing to accept the position mentioned. (July 29, 1913.)

Request of Appointing Officer to Rate Examination Papers of Candidates Denied

The Chief Examiner submitted communication from Superintendent Davis, State Reformatory, Bedford, July 28th, with reference to recent examination for the position of matron of reception and honor cottages. On motion the Secretary was instructed to write Superintendent Davis that in view of the practice of the Commission not to permit appointing officers to take part in the rating of candidates for positions in which they may be interested, her application to review the answers of the applicants for the positions mentioned was respectfully denied.

(July 30, 1913.)

Reinstatement Rule Suspended in Case of Guards, Clinton Prison

The application of Superintendent of Prisons Riley, July 24th, relative to the reinstatement of a number of guards at Clinton Prison, and suspension of the rule requiring reinstatement within one year, was again considered. It appearing from the communication of Mr. Riley that the persons named were either removed or forced to resign without, in his opinion, good cause, between September 23, 1911, and June 7, 1912, and that some of these officers had served faithfully for upwards of thirty years, and had been forced out of their positions for trivial violations of the prison regulations, the following resolution was, on motion, adopted:

Resolved, That subject to the approval of the Governor, the provision of rule XVI, subdivision 1, requiring reinstatement within one year, from the date of separation from the service, be and

hereby is suspended in so far as it relates to the following persons who were employees at Clinton State Prison: Charles H. Seavey, Maurice Nash, P. D. Hilliard, David E. Gay, guards; and Joseph S. Nash, hallkeeper.

(July 31, 1913. Approved by the Governor, August 11, 1913.)

Promotion of Filing Clerk to Clerk, Public Service Commission, 2nd district, held subject to Examination

Communication from Secretary Mott, Public Service Commission, Second District, July 30th, in the matter of promotion of Miss Elsie E. Betts, from the position of filing clerk, $1,200 per annum, to the position of clerk, $1,400 per annum, was read. It appearing that the promotion involves a change of duties, the Chief Examiner was directed to call the necessary promotion examination, there being more than three persons eligible to compete therefor.

(July 31, 1913.)

Transfer of Clerk from Position in State Department to County Position

A communication signed by Register Grifenhagen, New York county, and Commissioner of Excise Farley, July 30th, relative to the transfer of Harry Isaacs, was presented. It appearing that Mr. Isaacs is a legal resident of New York county, his transfer from the position of clerk in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Excise, New York city, $1,500 per annum, to the position of clerk, Register's office, New York county, $1,100 per annum, was approved to take effect August 2, 1913.

(August 1, 1913.)

Appointment of Non-citizen to Position of Baker Not Allowed

The Secretary read a letter from Superintendent Hamilton, State School for the Blind, Batavia, August 5th, relative to appointing a non-citizen to the position of baker, non-competitive class. It was the ruling of the Commission that appointee to the position mentioned should be a citizen and resident of this State. (August 7, 1913.)

Examination for Position of Junior Railway Engineer, Open to Non-Residents

The Commission considered memorandum from the Chief Examiner under date of April 18th, submitting communication from Secretary Whitney, Public Service Commission, First District, April 17th, requesting another examination for the position of junior railway engineer, to be open to non-residents. On motion the correspondence was referred to the Chief Examiner, with instructions to hold the examination open to non-residents, with the proviso that if the eligible list contains the names of three or more persons, who are citizens and residents of New York State, such persons shall be preferred in certification to non-residents. (April 24, 1913.)

Transfer of Assistant Physician in State Hospital to Deputy Medical Examiner, State Hospital Commission

State Hospital Commissioner May came before the Commission and explained the application submitted under dates of April 15th and 18th for transfer or assignment of John L. Van de Mark, M. D., Assistant Physician, Central Islip State Hospital, $1,200 per annum and maintenance, to the position of deputy medical examiner, Bureau of Deportation, compensation at the rate of $2,000 per annum without maintenance. Dr. May filed a letter under date of April 24th further explaining the situation. It appearing that the change in no wise involves a promotion, and that the Central Islip State Hospital and the Bureau of Deportation are subject to the supervision of the State Hospital Commission, it was directed that the transfer or assignment be approved, effective May 1, 1913.

(April 24, 1913.)

Change in Title from Stenographer to Stenographer and Tariff Clerk

Under date of April 23d, Secretary Kennedy, Public Service Commission, Second District, addressed a letter to the Commission, relative to changing the title of E. S. Whitbeck from stenographer to stenographer and tariff clerk. On motion the change was approved, effective May 1, 1913, it appearing that the same does not involve any increase in salary or change in duties. (April 30, 1913.)

Request for Special Examination for Steward Denied

A letter from Superintendent Little, Letchworth Village, April 22d, requesting the Commission to hold a special examination for the position of steward at said institution, was brought to the attention of the Commission. On motion the Secretary was directed to inform Superintendent Little that the Commission will call a general examination for the position of steward, for the purpose of preparing a list from which vacancy at his institution may be filled; that the Commission is not inclined to hold special examinations for positions which are general in character. (April 30, 1913.)

Request for Stenographer with Special Qualifications Denied A letter from Director Gaylord, Buffalo, N. Y., April 28th, with reference to the appointment of a woman stenographer, with special qualifications, salary $75 per month, was received. On motion the Secretary was directed to send Doctor Gaylord names from the regular list of stenographers, women, Eighth Judicial District, and to say that the Commission believes that he should make appointment therefrom of one of the first three willing to accept.

(April 30, 1913.)

Assignment of Typewriter Copyist to Position of Custodian The Commission took under review communication from Register Grifenhagen, New York County, May 2d, in the matter of transfer or promotion of William Johnston. It appearing that Mr. Johnston has been employed in the office of the Register since January, 1899, and that during his term of service he became partially paralyzed, and for that reason incapacitated and unable to earn as much as other copyists, although at one time his earnings were in excess of $900 per annum, it was, on motion

Resolved, That the assignment, without examination, of William Johnston, typewriter copist in the office of the Register, New York County, to the position of clerk or custodian at salary of $900 per annum, be and hereby is approved.

(May 7, 1913.)