The Glenwood post., 1919-03-08
HIGH COURT
sus1A|Ns GuNTER
Supreme Court Approves Civil
Service Commission of
Outgoing Executive
MANY DISAPPOINTED

The Rocky Mountain News of last
Monday contained the following ac-
count of two supreme court decisions
handed down on Monday and relating
tc the civil service muddle in which
many people of the state have recently
been more or less interested:
Passage of the short money pay bill
covering the expenses of the state de-
partments for the four months ending
March 81 is expected within the next
few days, possibly without the emergen.
cy clause. The legislative decks were
cleai ed yesterday for the conference
committee, following a decision by the
supreme court that the civil service
commission appointed by the outgoing
governor, julius C. Gunter is a valid
commis sion.
The bill had been deadlocked be-
tween the two houses for thirty-six days
The conference committee met last
night and agreed to recommend the in
elusion of Section 33 of the bill, which
the senate had passed over the protest
of the house, and which recognizes the
commission consisting of George 7.
Bradley and Mrs. Nancy Kirkland,
Democrats, and William V. Roberts.
Republican.
The salaries of the commissioners
probably will be $500 year. There
is some doubt as to the approval by the
legislature, particularly the Republi
cans, of the salary of 5000 month for
the secretary, yet to be named by the
commission. Miss Alice NJ Morley is
at present acting secretary and chief
clerk to the commission.
The conference committee is expected
to make its report some time today
although the illness of Senator Barney
II. Napier may delay the submission of
the recommendations. Other members
are Senator l.. A. Putfer and Repre-
sentativcs A. M. Wilson, Walter G.
Moffatt and j. L. Morrison.
Both houses refused to attach the
emergency clause, without which the
measure will not become operative until
ninety days after its passage. The SEN
ate cannot recede from its position, and
since there is no conflict on this point
the matter has never properly gone b."
fore the conference committee, accord
ing to certain legislators.
The bill s passage without it will in
sure the auditor and treasurer that they
are taking no risks in paying the back
pay of the employees.
The commission yesterday began the
task of definitely outlining a program
of putting on its rolls some 1000 em-
ployes of the state, following out the
proclamation of Dec. 81, when Cover
nor Gunter declared the civil service
amendment part of the constitution.
Eligible lists are to be prepared ~
quickly as possible, although this is re-
garded by the commissioners as tre-
mendou undertaking.
In all probability the real work Of
the commission will not begin until,
after the legislature has passed the
pending legislation to officially house
the commission and prescribe certain
steps necessary to its complete estab-
lishment. The legislature also has the
right to compel every employe to take
a competitive examination, and un-
doubtedly will exercise this privilege,
although the present employees will be
retained until these eligible lists have
been prepared.
Another decision Of the supreme court
Affects the standing of irrigation di-
vision engineers, and particularly re-
fers to the action Of the senate in con-
firming the appointment Of William
Fl. lea Of Gypsum as engineer in Dis
trict s.
The decision is directed to G. W.
Beach of Pueblo, who was appointed
by former Governor George A. Carlson
as irrigation engineer Of the Arkansas
valley territory, known - District g
Tho appointment was made under the
1915 civil service statute, after Mr.