The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-27

even by decision of the courts, would there fore be extremely unpopular, and througl alienation of public good will, would proba bly, invite drastic regulation of the stee industry by government, to which we believ the steel producers are strongly opposed. This seems to be assured by the action 0 the great newspapers of the country in giv ing the public adequate information regard ing "Pittsburg Plus" and it's effects, and fo this the public, owes you a great debt of grat itude which, SO far as this association is con cerned, we are extremely glad to acknowl edge. W. E. M'CoLLUNI, Secretary
 Chicago, July g, 1924
 Nc "Life Tenure" fin Commission GOvernmsn To the Editor of The Age-HeraId
 notice a recent newspaper article quotinI Judge Edgar l.. Allen as saying that he op poses the commission government, amonl other reasons because it gives to certain of ficials life tenure in office, and, based upor this, noticed an editorial in yesterday newspaper referring to such provision of tn, bill as a joker or blunder of the recent leg islature.
 While do not wish to enter into any con troyersy championing the commission form ol government or any other form, l deem il proper that the people should know the req facts in connection with the so-caIled joker and to that end all that seems necessary il to quote briefly from the Brewer act itself approved August 16, 1923, and found ir General Acts of Alabama, 1923, page 109 The only part of this act pertinent to ths question under consideration reads as fol lows:
 "Sec. Il. Every city organized under the provisions of this act shall be gov- erned and managed by a commission of three members, the selection and elec- tion of which are provided for by this act. Each and every officer and em- ploye of said city, except the health off cer and such persons as may be employed by him to enforce quaran- tine, shall be selected and employed by the commission or under it's direction, and all salaries and wages paid by said city,
 except as herein otherwise provided
 shall be fixed by said commission. The commission shall prescribe and may at any time change the powers, duties and
 titles of all subordinate officers and em-
 ployes of said city, except the title Of the
 city health officer and aIi of said offi-
 cers and employees shall hold effice and
 be removable at the pleasure of 4he com
 mission, provided, however, that all off.
 cers and members of the police depart.
 ment and the fire department of such
 cities shall only be removable for the
 causes and by the procedure provided for
 in an act approved February. 10, 1923. entitled, An Act to provide for the gov ernment and control by civil service reg
 ulations of the police department and
 fire department in cities of the state of
 Alabama having a population of one
 hundred thousand or more, according
 to the last or any such federal census.
 to provide for a civil service board in such cities, fixing their duties, authority and powers,' and provided further that
 all officers and employees of such cities. after a continuous service of twelve months. shall thereafter remain and con- tinue in their respective employments as such municipal officers and employees during good behavior. efficiency and obe- dience to such reasonable rules and reg
 ulations as may be from time to time
 prescribed by the commission. and shall not be removed or discharged except for cause upon written charges or com
 plaint and after an opportunity to be heard in their own defense. such charges to be investigated by and before the commission after not less than five days notice to the person charged shall have been given in writing of the charges, and after a public hearing thereof by the com mission"
 From casual reading of the above section it is clear:
 First-That the act creates a life tenur in no one, there being ample machinery fol the discharge of any employe.
 Second-It applies equally to all employees from porters and janitors up, who hay served continuously for twelve months. ant not merely to the city comptroller and cit! attorney as the newspaper articles referre' to would lead one to believe.
 Third-It is quite evident that the pro vision while nots establishing complete civi service is a step in the direction of civi service for city employees and intended t obviate the wholesale political removal o employees and their substitution by politica friends of the incoming administration.
 Fourth-It is a step toward emplOymen based on merit and efficiency rather than flo political reasons.
 Fifth-So far from creating any life job it provides thSt the employees shall remaiI during good behavior, efficiency and obe dience to such reasonable rules and regula tiOns as may be from time to time preseribe' by the commission" It provides ample mean of discharging employees for lack of efficiency but not merely for political reasons, Sixth-The wholesale shake-up in the DO lice department at the beginning of the pres ent administration was doubtless responsibl for the civil service act applying to police men and firemen, and this provision is merel! step in the same direction.
 Seventh-So far from the above quoted provision being a joker or a blunder by thu legislaturee, it was very advisedly placed il the act for the purpose of substituting eff ciency in the place of rewarding politica friends of an incoming administration.
 GEO. w. YANCEY. '. Birmingham, Ala.