The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-19
Introduction of Civil Service
Examinations in Des Moines
Removed Inefficiency and
"PuII" Graft.
THIS METHOD SOLVES
AN ANCIENT PROBLEM
City Employees Are Compelled
To Take Examinations,
Which Has Bettered the
Conditions in the City.
10y Carl Bernhardt)
ARTICLE IL.

10y Carl Bernhardt)
ARTICLE 12.
Il want to make application to take
al examination for an inspector in the
health department"
1t was an unheralded man who was
speaking to the mayors secretary.
very WE'LL" replied the secretary,
taking down the books, the examina-
tion will take place next February.
What is your name, please?'
And he entered it in his books.
There was no going to see Boss So
and-So before the jobs were handed
out. There was no pull. The man
walked out after he had made his ap-
plication with full consciousness that
only his personal fitness and efficiency
was to be considered.
Great Improvement.
Not the slightest improvements
which has been made in the conduct Of
the affairs in Des Moines under the
new plan is the improvement of the
work done by its employees. Condi-
tions are by no means ideal even yet.
for 1t is we'll to know that men will not
work as hard for the city as they will
for private individuals. But the plan
employed under the new system of gov
ernment Is after all the nearest ap-
proach to the management of private
enterprises, which has been made in
American cities.
elimination Of Ward Politics.
<1n at oe 81
in the very basis principles of the Des
Moines Plan, the city officials are not
embarrassed by the professional office
seekers. Party plays no part in the
selection Of employees for the simple
reason that party plays no part in the
election. That is prodigious gain In
itself. But the Des Moines Plan goes
farther
Recognizing that the dangers of per-
sonal favors under the Des Moines
Plan might in the end be just as dis
astrous as party favoritism in the dis
tribution of spoils to men who had aid
ed in the election Of councilmen, strin-
gent provisions for civil service have
been incorporated in the new charter.
The result has been most beneficial.
Under the charter granted, Des
'Moines. the council must select its en-
ployes from among those who have
passed examinations proving them
competent persons to fill their respect
i've offices.
Practical Examinations.
The charter provides that these ex.
aminations shall "be practical and
shall fairly test the fitness of the per-
sons examined to discharge the duties
OF the position to which they seek to be
appointed"
After the examination the commits
sion must prepare a certified list of
double the number Of persons who are
qualified to fill the vacancies. The
superintendents of the departments
thus have choice of the two men who
have passed the highest examinations
This allows the administration to
pass on the personal fitness (such as
ability to handle men. or the tempera-
mental disqualifications) of those who
have passed the examinations.
Physical Examination.
In order that the city employees shall
not be filled with incapable men, a
physical examination is required tes.-
ing eyesight, hearing, mental condi-
tion. indications as to excessive use OF
intoxicants, etc, or any disease which
would prevent giving efficient ser
vice and whether the applicant is ca
pable of prolonged severe mental or
physical exertion. and equal to the de-
mands OF the position he desires
The result is. that the men en-
ployed are not physically incompetent.
addicted to intoxication and are capa- |
BILE of giving the good service demand
ed by the position which they desire.
Faithful Men Retained.
And yet the old and faithful en-
ployes Of the city are not crowded out. |
The city has not been inhuman in its
desire to play fair.
In my department" said John Mac
Vicar, of the Department of Public |
improvements. II put the old men who |
have faithfully served the city OF Des !
Moines in a squad by themselves.
II is practical. because the young |
er men do not lag behind and |
take pains to do no more than the old |
men. But bear in mind. that it is No
disgrace to be in the old mems squad.
They are honored and many a man
and boy raises his hat when they
go up the street."
A Suggested Change.
The employees who do unskilled labor
are not subjected to examination. Mr..
Stipp OF the legal firm OF Bailey and
CONTINUED on Page Six)