The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-24
RELIEF OFFERED
FROM POLITICS
IN MANAGER BILL
Civil Service Rules Would
Make the Failure to Enforce
Them Too Dangerous for
the Machine.

For many years the fire and police
departments have been considered clubs
TO be welded at the will Of the officials
In power in political campaigns and on
election days.
The fire department, by a coalition
with union labor, was able to throw off
the insidious influence that thought
more of mans influence In his ward
than 1t did of his ability as fire
fighter.
Recently the members of the police
force sought to organize along similar
lines for their own protection and to
keep from being kicked about as polit-
ical footballs. Their chief insistence
was Tor strict application of the civil
service rules. There were certain fun
damental reasons why such an organi-
cation on the part Of police was i'm
practicable and the organization was
disbanded.
But the agitation brought very prom
inently to the public mind the fact that
there is no such thing as observance
OF the civil service requirements in any
Of the departments. The city has a
civil service commission and civil serv-
Ice rules but there is no application of
the rules and no recourse for those who
would like to compel their enforce
ment.
The proposed bill amending the city
charter to provide for a city manager
has civil service clause that would
make the lack of enforcement entirely
TOO dangerous for the provisions to be
ignored
The bill provides that the civil service
commission shall consist Of three mem
ters, appointed by the council, which
shall also fill vacancies. The council by
three -fourths vote may remove a
lember OF the commission. The mem
Sers of the commission shall receive
$500 year.
Rigid Rules.
The civil service classification shall
include practically every employe OF the
city. with the exception OF the officials
elected by the people, BY unanimous
vote the hoard may provide for non
competitive tests ior positions 'reduir-
ing peculiar and exceptional auahfica
tions of a scientific, managerial. pro-
fessional or educational character, hui
all such actions OF the board with the
reasons therefor. shall be published in
its annual report" This is the only
exception,
IN the absence OF appropriate eligible
lists any place may be filled temporar-
lily. without examination, for a period
limited by the rules, but not to exceed
60 days, during which time the board
shall hold the necessary examination fol
filling the place permanently
Only by consent of tho board may
any person be employed for even trans
itory work without examination, bu'
such employment shall not be continued
for more than 60 days or be renewed.
This disposes of the charge that tht
city manager would have all the power
to hire and fire and select such persons
for the various jobs as he desires. The
civil service rules are fashioned after
those of the government and the posi-
tions are available only to those who
pass satisfactory tests.
There can be no switching from on'
lob to another to escape the civil serv'
ice rules. The bill provides that 'n'
person shall be transferred to or as
signed to perform any duties of an!
position subject to competitive tests
unless he shall have been appointed t.
the position from which transfer Il
made as the result Of an open competi
tive test equivalent to that required fo
the position to be filled, or unless HI
shall have served with fidelity for a
least two years Immediately preceding
in a similar position in the city Eaci
list of elgibles, with the respective
GRADES, shall he open to public inspec
tion.
Offers Recourse.
The following sections shows why /
would be deemed entirely unsafe tC
ignore the provisions of the civil ser
vice rules:
Section S. The civil service boart
Continued on Page II, Column g.