The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-06-12
BIG AID FOR STATE UNIVERSITY
Many Legislators Criticise Action of
Service Commission in Favoring the.
University University Students now
Filling Many Places.


civil service laws by this legislature
There was some talk earlier in the SEES
sion of some quite important amend
ments 20 the Wisconsin civil service
law, but in the heat of the considera'
ton of other questions, proposed
changes In the civil service law have
been forgotten and it is not probable
that there will be any legislation on the
subject OF civil service which will at
tract any great amount of attention
There has been some talk of the pas
sage Of a bill which would prohibit the
civil service commission from rendering
exempt certain positions which can be
filed by university fellows and allowing
the university to fill these positions
with either students from the outside
to whom it is desired to give places SC
they can support themselves or to those
pursuing postgraduate work at the Uni
versity of Wisconsin.
There is no question that among
members of the legislature there is a
great deal of feeling against this prac-
tlce, and when it first became known
earlier in the session that the custom
which was given it's initial trial two
years ago had been given an indorse-
ment by the civil service board by per
hitting it's repetition this year there
was considerable talk among the mem
bers of the legislature in regard to the
ACCESSIBILITY of drastic law which
should greatly curtail the powers of
the civil service commission as to the
exempting of positions from being filed
by examination.
Some twelve fellowships were prac-
tically created for the University of
Wisconsin this year by the exemptions
given by the civil service board. LII
view of the fact that the civil service
board has of itself time and again conl-
planned to the legislature ever since
its creation of the provisions in tbs
state civil service law which permit
the employment in certain departments
and commissions in the state of Wis
cousin of expert help without any re
quirement of a competitive examination
Of candidates for these positions it is
claimed that the board of civil service
commissioners was inconsistent in ex
empting certain positions in the state
employment for the benefit Of the uni
versity and permitting these positions
TO be filed by what amounts to being
practically a recommendation of tht
regents rather than by competitive
examination.
There was added to this fact also
the further situation that two years
ago when the exemptions were frs
made and criticism was aroused, the
civil service commissioners practically
promised that the custom should cease
with its Inauguration and that it shoult
not be attempted again. For time
also, the feeling was so high in thu
legislature over the question that i
seemed certain legislation on the sub
Ject would be demanded
Civil Service Commissioner Thomas
j. Cunningham has never approved O.
the custom and he did not hesitat,
when the question was up before the
board this year to dissent very radi
cally from the action of the board il
voting the positions to the university
for fellowship. Now the other com
missioners are said to take Mr.. Gun
bingham IS view and the fact that i
was again practically promised tina
the custom would be discontinued an,
that never again will state positions b,
placed at the disposal of the universit,
for fellowships, has led to the aban
donment of the plan for immediate leg
islation on the subject and it is nov
likely that this legislature will adjourn
without passing any law ON the sub
ject.
One of the reasons for this is that i
is matter which the civil servic,
commission can easily settle itself b,
refusing to pass any resolution for tn
exemptions even though they are aske,
by the university authorities, and TIN
second is that hard fast rule on tn
subject Of exemptions absolutely for
bidding thcm might prove of great in
lEry 20 the state in preventing the EN-
2!oylncnt at times of men whose exper
views on certain subjects are desire,
oy the state and who could not be oh
tanned for the places that they wante,
Il 1T was necessary that they shou',
enter competitive examinations for tn
positions. II statements of member
OF the civil service commission mad
tiucc the exemptions for the benefi
of the university are followed out it /
believed that there is little danger tina
a majority Of the board will again
waive competitive examinations for tn