Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-11-22
EXPLAINS CITY
Civil SERVICE
President AmeFland Of MuDi.
cipal League Tells About
the Proposed Civil Ser
vice Commission

Fargo Forum: President Amer
land, Of the Municipal League Of
North Dakota, who was elected to
that Office at the meeting which was
held this week at Bismarck, is great
ly interested in the proposed city civil
service commission which was out
lined at the Bismarck meeting and
| he stated today that the purpose of
this commission is to have complete
control over the employees of the city,
which would result in the removal of
| the appointment of city officers from
the hands of the mayor and common
council.
The matter was presented to the
league by City Attorney F. B. Feet
ham of Grand Forks.
It was pointed out that in the cities
Of the state where elections occur
every two years, there is no appoint-
ment of officers to be made. The an
pointmens are a source Of more or
less trouble and result in dissatisfac-
ton here and there. that, if it be-.
heyed, could be done away with un-.
der the commission plan. Alderman
Amerland a when seen by Forum
representative today, stated that in
his belief 1t was one Of the steps that
meant a great deal for the cities and
one that would act to the very best
interests Of any city adopting it
Complete Control.
Under the plan as partially formu-
lated at the league session in Bis.
marck, the commission would consist
OF three members, elected for six
year terms, one to be named every
two years. The commission would
have complete control over all city
employees, having the power to en-.
gage or discharge men as may he
deemed advisable from time to time.
The mayor and council would have
abs olutely nothing to do with the an
pointments.
Ihls s. commission plan would re-
move from politics the appointments
as the charges on the commission
would not come often enough to
make bi-annual changes of officials
probable or possible, if based on the
political complexion of the commits
sion would be concerned.
The commission would take from
the council the work OF looking att
er each department, that body, be-
ing responsible directly to the mayor
land the council. The council would
thus become a purely legislative body
caring for the finances of the city,
It's laws and such matters.
Anoth her point presented in favor
OF the commission is the fact that it
would do away with the possibility Of |
friction ON the council Often times
II is the case that appointments to
city position is the direct cause Of
9 breaking up Of harmony, which is
q most essential factor in a fair and
business like administration Of city
affairs. The adoption Of the plan
would be optional with the people
Of g city, and not compulsory.
The entire matter was referred to
the legislative committee Of the lea
que Of which Mr.. Feetham was made |
chairman This committee will pre-
sent report at meeting to be |
held in Fargo on Dec. is.
Sewage In Rivers.
Another question Of great import
ance raised at the meeting was that |
Of law prohibiting cities from
empting sewage into river. This
received considerable support from
the delegates of the western section
OF the state. After great deal Of
discussion the question was laid over,
IT being deemed unadvisable to at
tempt anything along this line owing
to the immense expense two cities of
the state. Grand Forks and Fargo,
would be apt to, ais it would mean
the entire reconstruction of the sew