The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-14

Tacoma Bureau Of the Post-IntelIisencer.
l123 Pacific Avenue.
TACOMA. May B--There Is a difference
of opinion existing between Commissioner
OF Public Works Rydssrom and the board
OF civil service commissioners as TO the
appointment of a dynamo tender at the
city electric light station. The commits
sioner of public works claims that ne alone
has the right 10 say who shall be given the
preference in appointments TO such po-
sitions. while the civil service commission
ers claim TO hold the trump card. insofar
as they have the right 10 certify as 20 the
eligibility OF the appointee-
The facts in the case. which are quite
interesting. are that Frank Preston. the
present day dynamo tender. has been
holding down the place for the past seven
or eight years. and has always been a
faithful employee of the city. At the recent
civil service examination for places In the
category of the position in question Pres
ton failed 10 pass, but. notwithstanding.
was appointed TO I'LL the position tempo
rarily because of his faithful service and
understanding of the requirements of the
position by Commissioner OF Public Works
Rydstrom.
C. S. Bowie, a Populist in political belief
and Affiliations, took the examination for
electrician, passing with percentage Of
n
ly OF Seattle, passed higher. and was ap-
pointed to the place by Commissioner
Rydstrom Bowie by his percentage
stood second in the list of eiigibles for the
position OF electrician. and first for minor
positions ia the same department. In all
probability he decided IL was better TO Sc
cure permanent employment than TO wait
for vacancy In the Office of electrician,
so put In his application for dynamo
tender With the high percentage gained
at the examination. and from the fact that
Preston failed to pass the examinatio
the civil service board recommended his
appointment to the place. Commissioner
of Public Works Rydstrom refused to APP
point Bowie to the place. for the reason
that Preston had always given the best
satisfaction and because he was the only
one authorized by law 10 make appoint
ments to the place, IL not permanently
only temporarily.
The board of civil service commissioners
maintain that they have the right to name
the eligibles for the place, as they con-
Quoted the examinations and therefore
have the power to certify to the eligibility
of the incumbent. which is necessary In
either case.
There is an interesting story In connec-
ton with the case that is not generally
known. Preston took in a man named
Hooloran as oiler and taught him the
duties of the position. which the latter
mastered so well that he passed the ex-
animation for the place before the civil
service commission. Hooloran held the
position of night dynamo tender at
salary of so per month, Preston as day
operator receiving $75. Hooloran was
found asleep at his post one night. and
on being reported to Commission Ryd-
strom, was discharged. This left va
cancy. the board of civil service commits
sioners claiming the right to name Bowie
as day tender by reason of his having
passed the examination for electrician,
and allowing the commissioners of public
works TO name whoever he pleased to I'LL
the position of night tender temporarily.
This Commissioner Rydstrom refuses to
do. claiming he is acting under the law.
In his contention the commissioner Is up
held by City Attorney Whitehouse.