The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-22
Commissioner Hughes Says He Is
Anxious for an Investigation.
IL MEET TOMORROW.
Public Statements of CouncfImen
james nna Criebton Are Taken
CognSsance Of-More Detailed In
Formations Asked For--Question of
by Comnassioner Randolph.

Is the operation and enforcement OF the
civil service provision OF the charter OF
tho city Of Seattle an absolute failure?
This question is being asked BY members
Of the city government ard by citizens
generally IN view OF the statements made
by two members OF the city council az
m-enn. OF that body August - The
commission will meet tomorrow for the
special purpose Of receiving reports from
heads OF Departments regarding the Eff
cheney OF the city employees. which was
attacked by Councilman James. OF the
Fourth ward, in a spesch made before
the council week ago last Monday night
The commission has asked Mr.. James
and Mr.. Crichton. who privately criticised
the workings OF the civil service law, to
como before II and make specific allega-
tfons. Failing in that. the commission
win. according to Commissioner Hughes
court q full investigation by the council
or by q COMMITTEES OF city officials and
citizens of Seattle.
Mr.. James in criticising the workings
Of ths law. said:
Tn my opinion the civil service in
Seattle II not worth . continental I
believe that there are more incompetent
men on the pay roll than II we had no
civil service AT an
Councilman Crichton saxcastfcaily re-
ferred 10 the. enforcement of the civil
scf'No I"irS III orat'es Hithohsh mahihs
no direct charge. In private conversation
with members OF the city government and
with taxpayers. Mr. crichton has not hes
Hated 10 charge that the spirit Of the
civil service II not the exact letter have
been and are being violated every day
IN Seattle
commissioner Hughes Is outspokcn In
favor OF nm Investigation by the council
or by any well-quaified body Of citizens
Moreover. he SAYS that the commission
has asked ccuncilmen James and erich
ton TO me In detail any charge they have
70 make regarding tho enforcement and
observance OF the civil service act. Com
missioner Randolph, II II understood.
takes the position that the commission IL
not responsible TO the council and that In
dealing with the matters made public
a. the meeting Of the council August ~.
the commission has to do only with the
heads Of tho varioug city departments.
Both civil service commissioners pro-
Sess ignorance Of violations of the civil
Of city employees, although II Is notori-
Gus fact that many prominent employees
and officials under the civil service reg
ulations spent most Of their time for
county convention. In political work.
III any councilman has any direct aile-
cations to make regarding the enforce
ment Of the civil service rulAs or their
observance hy city employees I wish that
he would come before the commission and
file them" said Commissioner Hughes
INrf night the commission VIII meet
Thursday for the purno-e 81 considering
the charges made against the aneration
of the civil service proyision on Tho rity
charter We have invited (.nfneilrnen
lanes and C.r,rhson IL anrear hefore ~
and 10 sperffv IN what particular the city
errloyes are inroYupetent fnefYiclent or
have failed n ohxerye me rules and reru.
iatiops laid down Tor their rovernmcnt
m TIA civil servirc
..Tha co,n,nisstnn IL a judicial bodv"
coptInusd Mr. Huehaa .stt IL not hound
-
ana that each III, ~ n,,hise xvorL a. pron-
erlv inspecf.d or that tho emninvss co,.
duet them,elyes In accord vltb the r,,I"s
"a ma civti service conmsxs,an I've ra,y