The Detroit times., 1913-04-11
BIG SHAKE-UP
INWATER BOARD
employees DUE
Many Heads Will Fall When G.
o. =. Regains Control,
Says Gillespie
ARE NOT UNDER CIVIL
SERVICE, HE CLAIMS
Charter Amendment, Though,
Cinches Jobs for Over 5000
Others Now on Payroll

In spite of the civil service amend
ment TO the city charter, there will be
a big shake-up among the employees
OF the water board, as soon as the
new Republican commissioner takes
hold
The water board has been hamper
ed by number of inefficient EN-
ployes" said Commissioner John Gil
lespie. Thursday morning The new
commissioner will change the board g
political complexion from Democratic
10 Republican. A number OF men will
be dropped as soon as possible, not
for political reasons, but In .ne in
terest OF emciency. IL Democratic
president can make changes in that
manner, and receive praise for them
the water board ought not TO be
criticised for doing the same thing"
Mr.. Gillespie insists that the water
board does not come unuer civil ser
vice.
Corporation Counsel Hally, I be-
lieve, gave us an opinion two years
ago that the water board is not un-
der the control of the common coun-
ell. but OF the legislature, and that
the civil service system proposed at
that time would have no authority
over the board We insist, therefore
that the water boards employees are
not under the civil service amend
ment to the charter. We expect that
the charter commission, in its re-
vision, will include the water board
under the city administration and our
employees will then come under the
civil service provision.
Whatever changes are made will
not be as punishment for political
activity, or to reward Republicans I'M
der the spoils system. but will be en-
tirely for the purpose Of building up
better organization
Mr. Gillespie would not mention the
names OF those slated for dismissal.
II Is understood that Secretary Gill
martin will be among the first TO go.
Employees OF other city departments
are jubilant over the passage OF the
civil service amendment for they fig
IRE that as soon AS the vote on the
amendment has been certified by the
city canvassing board. their jobs are
secure. They point TO the closing
sentences OF Section II Of the amend
ment. which read: THE officers,
clerks and other employees In the ser
vice OF said city. when this amend
ment shall take effect. unless removed
for cause. shall he entitled to retain
their positions except as herein other
wise provided They shall not be
transferred or promoted. however,
without first passing a non-competi-
tive examination provided by said
commission.
The amendment provides that II
shall take immediate effect-in other
words. II becomes effective as soon
as the canvassing board finds that the
people have ratified II. which will be
within few DAYS. Even though no
civil service commission has been ap-
pointed under the amendment, and
though no rules have been drawn up,
the city employees claim that under
Section II they cannot be removed
from office.
The amendment Is broad in its eff
feet II Includes even such high
position as that OF city engineer,
whose salary Is $4,000 a year. but who
is appointed by the commissioner CT
public works over 5000 employees
will be affected