The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-10
RumOr of Removing Him From
Civil Service.
PORTER is IN NEED OF HELP
Asks for a High SaIaried Off
cial to Handle Work.
Minor Offices at City Hall
Would Be Abolished.

1t is rumored at the city hall today
that @. n. Kutz, chairman of the civil
service commission, will be removed
from office on account of his activi-
ties in taking the board of city com
mfssioners to task for disregarding the
law concerning appointments The
commission law says that a member
of the civil service board can be eject
ed from office by a vote of four of the
five commissioners. The officials at
the city hall this afternoon refused to
discuss the report and Kutz declared
that he had heard nothing of 1t. 1t is
simply rumor resulting from dissat-
1sfaction over Kutzs action vest erday
in causing the resembling of five ap-
pointments made by the new city ia
TIERS This movement on the part of
the chairman caused much surprise
and some indignation. One of the
commissioners was heard to say that
he intended working for the removal
of Mr.. Kutz. Kutz was elected by the
old board, his term to expire in 1915.
H. p. Miller, ex-commissioner of
waterworkS, who was at the city hall
this morning, expressed himself as de-
c1dedly indignant over the election of
the civil service officers appointed by
the former commission.
COfran a Busy Man.
Mayor Cofran's desk is still flooded
with letters desiring appointment and
deplored the burning of trash on
asphalt pavement. There is an ordi-
nance prohibiting this and Mayor
Cofran intends to enforce it.
Commissioner Bone was absent from
the city hall this morning fulfilling
his first official duty as president of
the board of city commissioners. In
the name of Mayor Cofran he welcom-
ed the state bankers in Representative
hall and presented them, figurativeIy
IF ha rif
New City office Suggested.
The most important act performed in
the commission chamber was first
reading of the ordinance providing for
the creation of the office of commits
sioner of health and sanitation. The
ordinance was drawn up last night by
Attorney Ralston at the suggestion of
Park Commissioner Porter The new
officer is to be appointed by majority
vote, his term of office to expire with
the term of office of the board ap-
pointing him. He will receive 81 56Ot
a year, will have charge of the city
crematory, collection and burning of
garbage, sanitary policemen, cutting of
weeds, and the working forces in the
public parks.
The first applicant for the position,
was Richard Wilson, defeated in the
primaries for commissioner of parks
and public property. The ordinance
will be presented for second reading
tomorrow, and the appointment made
the first of next week.
Porter Says He Needs Help.
'T consider it an important posi-
tion," declared Commissioner Porter
today, II am obliged to remain in the
office so continually that 1 need
someone to represent me at the crema-
tory and in the parks
Mr.. Porter already has begun his
detailed investigation of the crematory.
t. &c Y1Ia fn a N
whereby the officers at the crematory
are appointed by the entire board.
James Brain, the new foreman, began
duty this morning. Commissioner Por-
ter intends to systematize the work
by bringing it under the Jurisdiction
of the commission rather than the dt-
rection of one man.
Conduct Sewer Investigation.
E. A. Austin appeared before the
commission this morning to ask for an
official investigation of the city sew
ers.
Il understand there is no clause in
the statute book making it the duty
of any department of the city to look
after the conditions as to the health
and sanitation of the sewers" said
he 1.-THE commissioners cannot be ex-
pected to periodically investigate them
The result is a disgrace and menace
to many neighborhoods in town.
Commissioners Tandy and Porter will
investigate the affair, which Mr.. Aus
tin intends to present to the commits
sion in writing.
Although no definite action was Ia
ken concerning the purchase of pull
motor, mayor and commissioners are in
favor of having it. The fireman's he'll
met and other devices were displayed.
The pulmotor has been adopted by the
United States in connection with gov
ernment mines, and is able to resusci-
tate a man who has been unconscious
for so minutes.
The commission adjourned to meet
tomorrow at 9 o'clock.