Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-01-19
Bill GIVES CIVIL
SERVICE IN OMAHA
City Clerk O'Connor Hands
Measure to Douglas Delega-
tion and It is Launched.
TWO DEPARTMENTS OUT

- b.. ~
City Clerk O'connor yesterday
handed to the Douglas county dele.
CATION at Lincoln for introduction a
bill which provides for civil service
commission OF three members who
shall examine and pass upon the eligi.
bility Of all city employees, excepting
only the city legal department and the
mayors secretary. who are to be ex-
empt from civil service rules. 1t was
introduced as H. R. 168.
All members OF the delegation ex.
cept Jerry Howard signed the bill,
Mr.. Howard explaining he did not
think he would oppose the measure,
but did not want to commit himself
to signed endorsement at this time.
Against Nepotism.
The nepotism feature Of the bill is
expressed in the following language:
No person shall be hereafter ap.
pointed to any position who bears a
relation of the first degree with any
member Of the civil service commits
sion."
There is no reference to relatives OF
the commissioners or other officials OF
the city government.
The last section declares IAN emer.
gency Exists requiring that this act
take effect at once"
Mayor Appoints.
The proposed commission shall be
composed Of three members to be ap-
pointed by the mayor and confirmed
BY the city council and removable only
for cause on a vote Of two-thirds Of
the entire council The members OF
the commission Nare to receive $500 .
year and shall have the SAINT quail
ications as are required Of the city
commissioners. 1t is stipulated that
the civil service commissioners shall
not be actutated, or governed. by per-
sonal, political or party considerations
and they shall not be eligible to serve
il in, the municipal or government
service in any capacity, nor while 4
candidate for any elective or ap-
pointive Office"
Classify Employees.
Section four reads: The commits.
sion shall make all necessary rules and
regulations for the conduct Of its bust.
ness and provide for the, classification
Of all regular employees Of the city.
Employees as classified BY the commits
sion shall con.titute the classified
civil service of such city, and no APP
pointment to any Offices. or employ.
ment, shall be made except under and
according to the rules hereinafter
mentioned"
Within sixty days after appointment |
the commission shall examine all en-
ployes of the city and certify to the
city council and mayor as to their fit
ness or unhtness, and II shall be the |
duty Of the mayor and council to re-
move those who failed to.9pass ex-
aniinations or for other reasons have
been declared as ineligible
Examine Present Employees.
After the present staff Of city em-
pIoyes shall have been examineds it |
shall then be the duty OF the commits
sion to hold open and competitive cx-
aminations twice year "as to ,htuess
for an eligibility list from which va
cancies shall be filled for a period Of
probation not less than one year be-
fore employment is made permanent,
and promotion on the basis OF merit,
experience and service RECORD" An
employee may be placed on the perma-
nent list only upon the Recommended
ton OF the superintendent or the head
Of the department in which he is cm-
ployed. 4
+. Removal for Cause.
Section 6 provides: Employees on
the permanent list in the classified
service shall be removable only for
cause, or charges duly filed in writing,
after public hearing by majority
Of the civil service commission; pro-
vided, however. that the chief OF po-
lice or the chief Of the FIRE depart
mcnt, or any other chief officer, SUI
or foreman, in charge
Of work performed by classified en-
ployes, may suspend or discharge any
subordinate under his direction for
neglect OF duty, violation Of rules or
uioQuCuiSHNC Va OidNket aiiQ suoH WILT |
in twenty-four hours thereafter report
such suspension or discharge and the
reasons therefor to the superintend-
ent Of his department, who shall
thereupon affirm or reverse such sus-
pension, or discharge, which shall be
final unless such employe shall within
FIVE days OF such ruling appeal there
from, which appeal the civil service
commission shall, .fully hear and, de-
termine, and if the charges shall not
be sustained, shall enter an order OF
provided, that in the
examination Of employees of the city,
at the time of the taking effect OF this |
act, or the organizations of the civil
service commission, the order Of the
commission or report finding an en-
ploye incompetent or OF immoral
character, shall in and of itself revoke /
the appointment of such employe,
without the right of appeal from such ,
revocation"
It is proposed to require that the /
commission shall give attention to !
the work Of all OF the departments OF !
the city and promote efficiency in the
city government.
The commission, under this bill. will r.
be required to make reports to the
mayor and council
III