The pay-rolls of the different departments should at all times agree with such civil lists, or at least such lists will furnish the means of detecting possible errors in such pay-rolls.

The impression has prevailed to some extent among those who are not familiar with the administration of civil service rules, that the examinations held under them are largely technical and are made to ascertain the scholarship of the candidates rather than their practical qualifications and fitness for the positions they seek.

This is an entire misapprehension of the aim and actual working of the civil service system. Section three (3) of the law creating this Board requires that the rules of the Board shall provide "for open, competitive and other examinations by which to test applicants for office or for employment as to their practical fitness to discharge the duties of the positions which they desire to fill." And the rules of this Board are framed to carry out this requirement both in letter and spirit. In all examinations hitherto had, care has been taken to conduct them with particular reference to the special duties of the position for which the examination is held. This Board has held during the past year thirty-seven meetings for the transaction of business, at more than three-fourths of which all the members were present.

There have been held during the past year sixteen examinations for the official service.

For particular details of the work done during the past year, reference is here made to the accompanying report of the Secretary and Chief Examiner to the Board.

The work of the Board has been carried on during the year now ended under great disadvantages, owing to the insufficiency of the funds subject to its control. It has become evident that the assistance of at least one clerk and a stenographer-typewriter and a larger fund for printing, stationery and other expenses are necessary to the proper and efficient discharge of the duties devolving upon this Board and its Secretary, as required by the statute.

We are gratified by abundant evidence that the law and its administration have the favor and support of our fellow citizens and of the various heads of departments of the city government. We believe they approve the system and its application, and desire that the administration of the system shall be thorough and efficient and that the reasonable expense of carrying out the law shall be provided. We trust, therefore, that suitable provision will be made by the legislature now in session for the just requirements of this department of the city administration.

In conclusion, we desire to express our appreciation of the uniform courtesy and friendly co-operation we have received from yourself and from officials in all departments of the city government.

EXHIBIT A.

RULES

FOR THE

CIVIL SERVICE

OF THE

CITY OF MILWAUKEE.

Adopted by the Board on

January 9, 1897.

Approved by Mayor William G. Rauschenberger on
January 12, 1897.

DIVISION A.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION

FOR BOTH THE

OFFICIAL SERVICE AND LABOR SERVICE.

RULE I.

TITLES, NAMES, PAY-ROLLS, NOTICES OF CHANGES IN SERVICE.

SECTION 1. Every department, sub-department, office, position, etc., in the City Service, shall be known by only one title. Each title shall be applied only to one department, sub-department, class of positions or other category.

SEC. 2. In regard to entries in the City Service made since the Civil Service act went into effect, the sworn applications in the archives of the City Service office shall form the basis of the Civil Lists whenever possible.

SEC. 3. The spelling of the first names and the surnames in all lists and pay-rolls must correspond with those in the applications.

SEC. 4. All officials, including ward superintendents and other heads of sub-departments whose duty it is to write pay-rolls, shall keep a correct transcript of the names of persons employed under them, as stated in the corrected Civil Lists in the City Service office and in the offices of the respective city departments, and write the first names and surnames correctly thereafter on every pay-roll.

SEC. 5. The names of employes of several classes may appear on the same pay-roll; but those of each class must be kept separate from those of every other class, to facilitate control.

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