Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-13
SEES GOOD POINT
in CHARTER BILL
Research Bureau 'Favors
Civil Service for County
Departments
POSITIONS ON MERIT
Pamphlet Says Politics Would
Be Eliminated in Appoint
ments and Dismissals
POSITIONS ON MERIT

In its most recent pamphlet the
Bureau OF Municipal Research discusses
that phase of the charter measure now
before the Legislature that would ex-
tend the merit system to county depart
ments as well as to that part cf the
government coming directly under the
control Of the Mayor.
In reference to this it says
THE present law regulating the civil
service Of Philadelphia applies only TO
the departments directly under the
Mayor and to the office of the City
Solicitor. The one other city" depart
ment--the Receiver of Taxes-was eX-
empted from civil service by special
legislation. Tho present law does not
apply to any Of the county departments
nor does 1t apply to departments in the
twilight zone between county status and
mayoral jurisdiction, such as the Fair
mount Park Commission.
Bill Provides for All
"ff the proposals of the charter re.
vision committee are adopted, all city
and county departments. including those
in the twilight zone, are brought under
civil service. In order to. avoid con.
stitutional difficulties, the county civ
service Is provided for in n separate
bill
The present civil service law is ad.
minstered by commission of three
members appointed by the Mayor fol
overlapping terms Of five years and re
movable at the pleasure of the Mayor
THE proposed law will be admins
tered by a single commissioner choser
for a term of four years by a two-third.
vote OF all the members elected to- IT,,
City Council. Under the provisions o.
the county civil service bill he will serv,
as ex-offlcio county civil service commits
sloner
THE present law requires the cvi
service commission to submit the name!
Of four eligible persons for single va
cancy. This permits Of wider choic,
by the appointing officer than experience
has shown to be necessary and 1t open
the way to favoritlsm
Under the proposed law only tw,
names will be submitted for singh
vacancy.
AT the present time NC policeman o
fireman may be dismissed from the serv
ice without right to be heard befor
court Of trial. composed of member
of his department. of equal or superio
rank. No such protection. however, |
accorded other city Or county employees
Under the proposed law, not only po
lcemen and fremen, but all employe
ice provisions will have the right to b
heard before a trial board designate
by the civil service commissioner TIL
decision of this board, when approve
by the commissioner. Is binding-upon tn
appointing officer. In case of a decisio
of dismissal however, the accused EN-
ploye may. within ten days. appeal to tn
Court Of Common Pleas for new hear
ing in, this court.
"The Shern act makes it unlawful 70
city employees to take active part in poll
tics and provides that in case any em
ploye violates this act he shall be dis
missed either by the Mayor or by hi
superior officer. Since political activit
on the part of city employees is usual
in response to the desire of the superio
officers. it has proven an ineffectiv
method to leave the enforcement of tn
law entirely In the hands of these OF
ficers.
PrOvisiOns OF New Bill
Under the proposed law a vioatio
Of the provisions against political aC
tiyity Is punishable not only by dismis
sal, but also by fine and Imprisonment
and the enforcement of the law
strengthened by giving any taXpaye
the right to go into court and by a wr
Of mandamus to compel dismissal.
"The proposed civil service law ais
provides for a Standardization of sa
aries and grades in city and count
service This is in line with the genera
trend throughout the country to Great
more equitable conditions of emplo!
pent in the public service"