The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-13
Dozen COPS OUT If CIVIL
SERVICE BILL IS SIGNED
Continued From First Page.


aminations. The policemen appointed by
and now holding office will not be dis
turbed, unless removed by the City
Commissioners before the law is signed.
The bill will compel both the new
sergeants, Page and Eisenberger, to
undergo examinations, according to Mr.
Walton s idea. Among the patrolmen
affected are Phillips, Demma, Seymour,
Tompson and Halsey. Captain of Po-
lice Joseph P. Thompson has had more
than two years consecutive service un-
der formed administrations
Gould Fire Mer at Once
1t was pointed out to Mr.. Walton
that the Harrisburg City Commission
could dismiss a number of men at its
next meeting if it so desired and ap-
point others who would hold Office at
the time this act would go into effect.
''Their appointment would be legal
and they would be exempt from exami
nation" he said, provided that they
had the required two years consecutive
experience on the force at some period
beforehand. But no matter if they had
five years service and are not holding
Office at the time the act becomes eff
fective, they must undergo an exami-
nation. The act is in force as soon as
it has Governor Brumbaugh s ap
proval.
The Governor has thirty days from
the time in which the bill goes into his
hands to sign or veto it.
The provision in the bill which ex-
empted fire departments from its pro-
visions was found to be unconstitution-
al, but the bill was amended so as to
relate only to salaried officers in the
police, engineering, electrical or fire
departments.
In so far as the bill relates to Har
risburg firemen, Mr.. Wildman, member
of the House from Harrisburg, con-
strues this to mean only the chief and
assistant fire chiefs. Other paid men
in the department, such as drivers, are
elected by their companies and paid
by the companies out of the appropria-
ton made by the City Commissioners.
Fire Chief Kinder was appointed by
Mayor Royal at the start of the May
or S term and Assistant Chief Halbert
had two years consecutive experience
under another administration, and, I'M
der the construction put on the act by
Mr.. Walton, neither would be subject
to examination.
Civil Service Board of Three
The bill provides for the appoint
ment of a civil service board by the
CITY Commissioners. This shall serve
for four years and consist of three citi-
zens, one to be an educator and one a
physician, who shall serve without COM
pensation. They, however, may hire
a secretary. The terms of the first
civil service commissioners will be two,
three and four years, the City Commits
sioners to elect commissioner for four
years at the expiration of the terms.
The board is given power to adopt its
own rules.
An appointment to any Of the depart
ments which come under the act will be
sent to the City Commission by the su-
perintendent of the department con-
cerned, who shall select the name from
one of three certified to him by the
civil service board. An employe may
be suspended by the superintendent un-
der whom he is employed, but he cannot
be dismissed unless charges are sus-
tained in open hearing before the City
Commission.
There was harder work done for the
passage of this act through the Legis-
lature, perhaps, than for almost any
other piece of legislation this session.
Tremendous pressure was brought to
bear on those who had the bill in
charge in the Senate. A lobby of the
members of the House who were inter.
ested in the bill was maintained in the
Senate until yesterday, when the meas
ure was finally passed and sent to Gov
ernor Brumbaugh.