New Britain herald., 1928-11-23
WHY NOT CIVIL sERvlCEo

Heaving a shot into delicate po- ltical machinery is no task for nervous wreck. Even the more mus cular and physically perfect speci- mems shrink from the job if there is chance that the machinery will not be seriously damaged. Occasionally, however, some stalwart sportsman happening to be stimulated with ambition and a certain nonchalance regarding the inevita bility of fate or hard luck, lifts the shot with tender care, aims carefully, and pushes forward his good right arm. Then let the weighty substance fall where it may-he has done his duty.
 It is said that the gentleman be- hind the civil service movement for policemen and firemen in this city is no less shot-putter than the mayor himself. One would unsus- pectingly conclude that, his honor being something of professor of politics, he would be in favor of the spells system, or any of its little brothers or distant cousins. But here is the record: The grand old Democratic party of this bailiwick threw the civil service shot into the Common Council in the form of q resolution that the charter of the city be doctored so as to permit the debut of civil service appointments. Of course, the charter revision con- mittee got the order to consider and report.
 One is forced to tremblc for the fate of civic reform. Six years ago a similar shot was put in this city; then, as now, the city was repre- scented in the Legislature by Repub- licans; then, as now. the Legisla- ture was overwhelmingly g. 0. p. 1n- stead of landing in the vitals of the machinery the shot fell short and rolled into the ten-pin alley of ob- livion. Politics triumphed with one of those resounding whacks that sound like presidential salute of q guns.
 How the present system works might be an eye-opener for such cognoscenti of citizenship as have come of age since that parlous time. A perfect specimen of physical well- being wants to be a fireman. He lets the fire board know about it. signs an application blank that also is a species of questionnaire. undergoes a physical examination, and then patiently waits for developments. If he doesn't pass the physical test, of course, he doesn't even need to waste time ill waiting and is re- ItCNCu lo' LII " It'll tL lht tlt'l botli'i- But assuming this test is satisfac torily passed, he waits.
 Meanwhile the opponents of ro- litical appointments in the city hall mako themselves acquainted with matters pertaining to the applicant that are not on the 4uestionnaire. He must come we'll recon me nded by trusted political henchmen. He must have many friends, be known as good fellow within a large circle: be popular. have no obstreperous enemies. The more relatives he pos sesses the better for the applicant. If he is 8 married man, with broth er-in- laws. sister ln-laws and 8 hall full of upcles. cousins and other kin. he is an ideal applicant. If he gets the lob through the influence Of political ward workers or political hell boys of whatever hue. hls rn1y relatives and friends are bound to share his gratitude 10 the party that was far-sighted enough 10 put him on the payroll,
 Such doings belong 10 the great sa1lle of politics as it is played in every city where civil service is still considered as a detestable invention of civic reforners. Both parties have protited by if: one is DO better than the other The system is considered a vital part of any self starting, self propelling political machine. If there were no offices, if there were no DO ltical payroll. even down to the most insignificant member of d city's establishment, there would be no political practice as we have it.
 Civil service is a weapon that eliminates some of the more onerous features of this great American sport. It doesn't entirely kill the goose that lays the golden political eggs. but it at least bucks his feathers a bit Machine politicians usually the machine which happens to be in power-does not take kindly esea to plucking feathers, consider