Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-19
OBJECT TO
ANY CHANGE
CIVIL SERVICE MEN PROTEST;
PRESENT PLAN JUST
CITY EMPLOYEES TO PETITION
COMMISSION
Are Incensed at Action of Assessor
Mallard in Asking Board to
Adopt New CIassifi-
cation

Incensed at the action of Citys~Assessor
Mallard in petitioning the civil service
commission to adopt a new classification
of civil service employees in Los Angeles
nearly a score of men met in the council
chamber of the city hall last night to
protest against any change being made In
the present classification, which has ex-
listed since the charter was ratified by
the legislature.
Soon after the meeting was called to
order it was decided to engage an attor-
ney to look after the interests of the
civil service employees, and Herbert j.
Goudge was the one selected. Word was
sent to him, but he was unable to at
tend the meeting, but will be present at
a second meeting to be held in the same
place Monday night, In the meantime
those who were present at the meeting
last night will confer with the attorney
and explain to him the nature of their
protest and their reasons for 1t.
According to statements of those who
were present the effort of Mr.. Mallard to
have the classification changed is not for
the purpose of bettering the service, but
10 allow him to place certain favored
ones in positions which should rightly
be given to otner and older men.
Present Plan Just
II is the idea of those who attended
that the present classification, which al
lows seniority to rule, is just one, and
they say the fact that it has given salts
fiction for so long time is proof of
their statements.
At the meeting of the civil service COM
mission Tuesday the following protest.
which was drawn up last night and unan-
imously signed by those who were pres
ent. will be presented:
"To the Honorable Board Civil Service
Commission of the City of Los Angeles
.Gentlemen-At a meeting held by the
civil service employees of the city of Los
angeles it was unanimously agreed to
protest against the adoption by your
honorable body of certain classification
of said men submitted to you by the
ci assessor, on the following grounds,
to wit:
"First-That said classification is not in
tended for the betterment of the service
in his department. but for the sole pur-
nose of being empowered to retain in his
',ffice certain men classified thereon as
valuation clerks, who rank lower than
many of us in length of service and
poirts of competency.
"Second-That by classifying these men
as valuation clerks he can so retain them
to the detriment of those who rank much
higher in civil service and are of infinite
lv more value to the city in line of age,
competency and experience.
'.Third-That your honorable body has
in effect already denied any and every
part of said classification by compelling
said city assessor to conform with the
rules laid down by your commission and
to select civil service men on the eligible
list in conformity with rank and pri-
ority of service.
"Fourth-That the adoption of said
classification would be a reversal of your
previous ruling and would have ten
dency to demoralize and revolutionize
rather than to elevate the civil service
system. which is an organic part of the
city charter.
1--WE therefore pray your honorable
body that you decline to adopt said as
SCISSORS classification which Is calculated
to remove the power now vested in you
by the city charter and place same In
the hands of the assessor, which we think
would be contrary to law.
I'VE submit to you. gentlemen, that
the rules as laid down by your honorable
body upon the classification of civil SER
vice by the legislature are good enough
for us.
Respectfully submitted"