The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-01-21
LANE ASKS DELAY
IN SERVICE BILL
Continued from Page One,

49, 'AiiSA1IS III joint session.
The full text of Mayor Lanes
statement follows:
Since the Council. as body
has not yet reached a uniform
conclusion regarding the Civil Ser
vice bill and the possible changes
which have been discussed. if
would seem that for the present
possible confusion and misunder-
standing can be avoided if final
decisions of Individual members
should be postponed until the mat
ter has been fully considered from
all angles by the Council as a
whole.
Il feel sure that each member
of the Council, individually, is con-
cerned primarily in following
course which will promote the eff
ficient operation of the several de-
partments and that they also wish
to see that the members of the
departments are given every con-
sideration consistent with the prop
er administration and supervision
of the departments.
The changes which have been
discussed are not very material
and l think that any individual diff
ferences which may now exist be-
tween Council members regarding
the bill will be adjusted if this
course is followed. Ialso think that
when the Council has reached a
uniform conclusion that any diff
ferences between the council and
the members of the Police and Fire
departments can be settled to tn
satisfaction of both grousp.'
Councilman Romo's letter to the
police Officer reads as follows:
During the conference in my
office on January 10 I made a
statement to you. 1t was my
thought at that time and it is my
thought now that the statement l
made should have been conveyed
to the members of the police and
fire departments in a group or
small groups for their possible dis
| cussion and serious consideration
before answering it. You will re-
call that my statement was as fol-
| lows:
If the members of the police
and fire departments insist on their
objection to removing from Sec
ton 3 of the 194l act the clause
which reads as follows:
AS well as established rules an
regulations relating to conduct and
standard Of service of the en-
ployees OF the aforesaid depart
ments.
II did not want and I still would
like to have considered answer
to this question because in my
opinion it is very important. 1t is
my considered opinion that if the
police and fire departments feel
that this clause must remain in
the Civil Service Act then it is a
confession by them that they have
absolutely no confidence in their
CITY government or in the people
who elected them and that they
would prefer to place their con-
fidence in a body which is ap-
pointed and not elected by the peo-
pie.
In taking away from the city
government and the chiefs OF the
departments the right to establish
rules and regulations relating to
the conduct and standard of serv-
ice you are taking away from these
officials any right to control the
members of the department. The
public is placing the responsibility
for the operation of these depart
ments on the city government and
vet the departments insist on Civ
ing the rights of prescribing rules
and regulations upon another body
We should always bear in minc
that when any one has -espon
sibility he should have a cores
ponding right.
"Should it finally develop tina
the attitude of the members O.
both departments are as indicated
by you during our conference i
makes it virtually impossible to
deal further not only with the mat
ter of the Civil Service Bill ltsel
but in any other matter which may
concern either or both departments
My statement to you that l Woule
wash my hands of the entire mat
ter" meant simply that since the
members of the departments hae
shown that they had no confidence
in the city administration nor II
the people who elect them that
would have nothing further to d.
with either department.
81 have carefully reviewed some
of the objections which have peer
given against the proposed Dill
They indicate that a careful stpd.
of both bills has not been made
by the departments. / particular.
call your attention to objection NO
6. I am referring to the member!
Of the departments taking par II
elections. If you will compare Sec
ton of the new bill with Sector
3 of the 1941 act you will find tina
tho sections are identical in bot
acts.
"Further, your objection No.
states that it gives the City Man
ager the authority to employ with
out test, etc. For your information
,ie ctice has been in existence
for unite sometime under an agree