The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-16

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
G. G. Blakely-4 years.
G. E. Barnaby-3 years.
c. H Kutz-2 years
Trese are the appointments made by
the board of city commissioners this
morning. AS stated in the State Jour-
nal last evening, Mr.. w. H. WATSON
was selected as city auditor Mr. Was
son took his position this morning and
from the blow of the whistle was sign
ing checks and doing the duties of the
office.
The selection of Mr.. WATSON as city
auditor was made by Commissioner
Bone who has charge of this depart
ment of the city The rest of the com
nissioners approved the selection with
out a dissenting vote and the office was
created and officer installed.
There was considerable argument
over the selection of members of the
civil service commission this morning.
And when the selection was finally
made it was found that there was not
an engineer, a mechanic or a man of
any experience of this kind for the
work of the commission.
When it is taken into consideration
that a large number of the employees
Of the city are supposed to be under
civil service rules and have certain
mechanical and engineering qualifica-
lions, the lack of a man of this kind On
the commission is deplorable.
In making the appointments this
morning Commissioner Roy l.. Bone at
tempted to get a man of this kind on
the commission and he voted for F. M.
Spencer. He was the only man who
voted for Mr.. Spencer and for me-
chanic of this experience.
The name of G. G.. Blakely was suS-
gested by Commissioner Bone and was
passed by the commissioners without q
dissenting vote. Mr.. Blakely has been
a member of the city council and is
competent man in every way. The
name of G. E. Barnaby was brought
out by Commissioner Miller and sec
onded by Commissioner Holman. 1t was
passed and approved without NO
For the third man a discussion of
some length followed. Commissioners
Commissioner Holman brought out {.
H Kutz and then the fight followed.
Commissioner Bone said: Il be-
lieve we should have mechanic on
this commission. Mr.. Tandy thought
the same and he gave the name of
F. NJ. Spencer. Mr.. Bone seconded
the nomination. Then came the vote
on the three candidates-Mrs McCar-
ter F. NJ. Spencer and G. FL. Kutz.
Commissioner Bone voted for Mr.:
Spencer. Commissioner Holman voted
for C. H. Kutz. When Commissioner
Miller was called on he hesitated. =
am between two fires" he said.
told Kutz the other day that we would
consider his name and still I feel as
though we should have mechanic.
"Get on the outside oe the fire,
yelled Holman.
81 vote for Kutz." answered Miller
Commissioner Tandy was in the
same fix He studied awhile before he
answered the roll.
IT am between Mrs. McCarter and
Mr.. Spencer" he said. II can't decide
which one to vote for He voted for
Mrs. McCarter
Mayor Billiard voted for Kutz with
out any hesitation and the result stood
three for Kutz, one for Spencer and
one for Mrs. McCarter The commits
sion was thus approved and elected.
Mr. Blakely will hold Office until
1914, Mr.. Barnaby until 1913 and Mr..
Kutz until 1912.
With these appointments the city
board OF commissioners have finished
their strenuous jobs of making ap-
pointments and the work of the city
may now proceed with vigor
There are rumors of a few changes
in the engineers office and in the po-
lice department. Outside of that there
will probably be no more changes for
the present at least.