The Detroit times., 1914-06-01


lions conducted by this commission
in is first year OF existence has been
the elimination OF pun and the sub.
sdtdtion OF brains Ii is my belief
that the day has passed when man
utterly untitled for his Job may be
Appointed 10 public Office"
Mr.. Hirsch, who will retire as pres
ident Tuesday but who has been re
appointed for four-year term as a
member of the commission, declared
that be was glad OF the opportunity
to place before the public the facts
relative to civil service.
"Whel we took office there was
general disposition 10 look upon US
as a cog in the Marx machine" he
said "As matter OF fact nothing
could be farther from the truth. The
iciyil service commission is non
partisan body IL is sworn to do IT'S
duty regardless OF any political or
ganization. | believe that IL has done
so Its members realize that they
are placed in office as check upon
the evils resulting from political
favoritism and it is hardly likely
that any one OF the commission, let
a.one the entire organization. should
suffer q lapse in this respect, OF al!
others
Owing to lack OF provision for the
establishment of the civil service
commission this body was without
quarters until Aug last. so we have
been Ia existence practically but nine
months. In the course OF that time
We have conducted 80 examinations
for Classes ranging from three 10 10
applicants Most OF these applicants
have been seeking positions on the
police torte, and in answer to the
question as to whether We are elm
limiting the undesirables | can only
refer you 10 the results OF our last
examination, but one for positions In
the police department. Out OF class
'of 1876 applicants, 9S failed to pass
our physical examination. OF the re.
naming number but SO passed the
regular civil service examination.
This means not only the elimination
OF about 90 per cent OF the applicants
for positions because OF unftness. but
means that the policeman OF the
future will be a man possessed OF
both brains and physical energy in
stead OF having merely physical
proves and pull
As proof that II is impossible 10
put across" city employee without
the knowledge of the commission or
without the person in question under.
going the civil service tests, Mr..
Iirsch cited the case OF three paving
inspectors added 20 the citys payrolls
Within the last week. These men
were put on without the commission
be inB consulted. and. when the pay.
rolls were turned In the matter was
noticed at once. Because OF the fact
that rot one OF these men had taken
all examination the commission re-
fused to O. K the payroll. which
meSns that these men will receive no
compensation for the week they work.
ed and will. automatically. be drop
ped from the roster Of city employees.
The commission has to look over
every individual employed by the
city said Mr.. Hirsch. His name
comes into our ONCE on every pay.
roll and We recognize new name al
once No person who should come
under civil service can get into the
city's employ without the commission
know ing A. When we find that such
q thing has been attempted we sim.
ply refuse TO o. X the payroll. and
cCnse quently. no attempt TO put
across anyone can be successful"
That civil service In Detroit has
been a success is inferred by the fact
that practically every head OF de.
psrtment or commission is heartily In
accord with the movement
AS an instance OF the fact that tax.
PAYERS benefit by civil service and
the higher type OF public servant OBJ
tanned thereby President Hirsch cited
the results OF an examination FOR
chief engineer on Belle Isle The re.
iiring engineer. dismissed by Com.
missioner Dust before civil service
took effect desired TO take out all the
present equipment there. said Mr.
Hirsch. and replace II with new The
eNamiration TO I'll the vacancy result
cd In the selection OF man who
passed his examination with an aver.
age a. 50 per cent Since that man
took the position. according 10 Mr..
Hifsch tand he was upheld In hfs
statement by Commissioner Dust the