It is the duty of the Commissioner of Public Works, subject to the ordinances of the city, to take special charge and superintendence of all streets, alleys and highways in the city, and of all walks and cross walks, bridges, viaducts, docks, wharves, public places, public landings and public grounds in the city; of all markets and market places and all other public buildings in the city, belonging to the city, and of the erection of all public buildings; of all works for the widening, deepening or dredging of the Chicago River and of its branches, and of the harbor of the city; of all sewers and works of said city, and the collection of water rates and fees for the use of water or for permits issued in connection with the water works system, and of all sewerage permits and licenses; to award and execute all contracts for any work or public improvement, the cost of which shall exceed the sum of five hundred dollars, and all contracts for coal for the use of any department of the city, with a proviso as above set forth relating to the construction of local improvements paid for in whole or in part by special assessment and that are under the control of the Board of Local Improvements. The Deputy Commissioner of Public Works is appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council. He has authority, under and subject to the crder, direction and control of the Commissioner of Public Works, to sign or act for the Commissioner of Public Works, and he shall perform such duties as may be required of him by the Commissioner of Public Works. The Deputy Commissioner, before entering upon the duties of his office, must execute a bond to the city in the sum of $25,000, with such sureties as the City Council shall approve, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of his office. Department of Law. Corporation Counsel-WILLIAM H. SEXTON (resigned: vacated office Oct. 5, 1914). Corporation Counsel-JOHN W. BECKWITH (acceded Oct. 5, 1914). Second Assistants-Charles M. Haft, Leon Hornstein, Lee D. Mathias, William Dillon, Nicholas Michels, P. W. Sullivan, James G Skinner, Geo. P. Foster, Jos. E. Grossman, Geo. L. Reeker, Loring R. Hoover, A. L. Gettys, Max M. Korshak, John F. Power, Harry J. Ganey. Louis Salinger, S. A. T. Watkins, Michael W. Gagney, James J. St. Lawrence, J. Edward Clancy, Todd Lunsford, John E. Foster, O. C. Bruhlman, James W. Burke, Joseph J. Murray, Michael B. Morris, Leon Edelman, Vernon L. Bean, Edward J. Queeny, J. J. Viterna, Wm. J. Naughton, Geo. B. O'Reilly. Secretary and Chief Clerk-Andrew J. Callahan. The Law Department is an executive department of the municipal government of Chicago. It embraces the Corporation Counsel and such number of assistants and clerks as the City Council may by ordinance provide. One of such assistants is known as the City Attorney and another 3 the Prosecuting Attorney. The Corporation Counsel is appointed by the Mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the City Council, and he is the head of the department. Before entering upon the duties of his office the Corporation Counsel executes a bond to the city in the sum of $5,000, with such sureties as the City Council shall approve, conditioned for the faithful performance of his official duties. He has the power of appointing and removing all or any of his assistants. He superintends, and with the assistance of the City Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney, conducts all the law business of the city. He employs an attorney-at-law, whose office is at the headquarters of the Fire Department, and who is known as the Fire Department Attorney; such attorney is subject to the instructions of the Corporation Counsel and of the Fire Marshal, and he performs such duties as may be imposed upon him by either of thcm. The Corporation Counsel keeps in proper books to be provided for the purpose a register of all actions in court prosecuted or defended by his office, and all proceedings had therein; and such books are at all times open to the inspection of the Mayor, Comptroller and any members or committee of the City Council. He draws any deeds, leases, contracts or other papers required by the business of the city, when requested to do so by the Mayor, the City Council, or the head cf any department. He drafts such ordinances as may be required of him by the City Council, or by any committee thereof. He furnishes, when required to do so, written opinions upon subjects submitted to him by the Mayor, the City Council or by the head of any department. And he reports in writing, on or before the first day of March in each year, to the City Council, the transactions of his office during the preceding year, together with such other information as he may deem necessary or proper. Also he prepares and submits to the Comptroller on or before the first day of November in each year an estimate of the whole cost and expense of providing for maintaining his office during the ensuing fiscal year, and this is laid by the Comptroller before the City Council with his annual estimates. All deeds, leases, contracts, books and papers are required to be given over by any retiring Corporation Counsel to his successor on assuming the office. City Attorney's Office. City Attorney-N. L. PIOTROWSKI. Chief Assistant City Attorney-Morton A. Mergentheim. Trial Attorneys-Meyer S. Emrich, George McMahon, M. J. O'Brien, E. A. Prindiville, J. R. Considine, M. C. Zacharias. Appellate Court Attorney-David R. Levy. Assistant Trial Attorneys-Jas. J. O'Toole, Justin F. McCarthy, Matthew E. Clark, John B. Brenza, E. Marshall Amberg, Ladislaus Herman, Michael B. Morris. Chief Investigator-Geo. Seif. Supervisor of Investigations-F. O. Sebring. Chief Clerk-Claude Dyckman. Chief Docket Clerk-Jos. M. Coffey. Waiver Clerk-Alfred Ebenstein. The City Attorney is appointed by the Corporation Counsel, and he assists that officer in conducting the law business of the city and has especial charge of all actions in tort against the city arising out of damages or injury caused by defective streets or sidewalks. He keeps in proper books provided for the purpose a register of all actions in court prosecuted or defended by his office, to which the city may be a party, and keeps an accurate record of all proceedings had therein. Such books are open at all times to the inspection of the Mayor, Comptroller, Corporation Counsel, or any member or committee of the City Council. On or before the first day of March in each year, he reports in writing to the Corporation Counsel the transactions of his office during the preceding year, together with a statement of all actions pending in court prosecuted or defended by his office, to which the city is a party; and such report contains the names of all defendants and complainants, the nature of the action, of the date of commencement thereof, and the status of such suit, accompanying his report with such information as he may see fit to append. As to any cases that have been disposed of during his term of office, and since his last preceding report, he states the manner of the disposition of each of such cases. Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Prosecuting Attorney-ALBERT J. W. APPELL. Chief Assistant-John F. Power. Assistants-Morris Barnett, George Basta, Frank J. Calupny, George Emmicke, Henry Eckhardt, Leroy Hackett, Arthur Haggenjos, Frank T. Huening, Julius Jaffe, J. Henry Kraft, Z. H. Kadow, Ota P. Lightfoot, Roman G. Lewis, Wm. Navigato, Walter Rooney, Frank C. Souhrada, U. S. Schwartz, John Sennett, Marshall Solberg, W. J. Vavra. Chief Clerk-Edward V. Peterson. Stenographer and Law Clerk-Adolph Mai Notice and Law Clerk-Catherine McPadden. Stenographer and Law Clerk-Anton Fencl. The Prosecuting Attorney is appointed by the Corporation Counsel. He is charged with the prosecution of all actions for violation of the ordinances of the city, and he institutes an action in every case where there has been a violation of any city ordinance, when instructed so to do by the Corporation Counsel or the chief officer of any department, or upon complaint of any other person, when in the judgment of the Corporation Counsel the public interest requires that a prosecution shall be had. He may, with the consent of the Corporation Counsel, discontinue any action brought for the violation of any city ordinance on such terms as may to him seem equitable. On or before the first day of March in each year he reports to the Corporation Counsel the transactions of his office during the preceding year and submits with such report such other information as he may deem necessary or proper. Department of Health. Commissioner of Health-Dr. GEORGE R. YOUNG. Assistant Commissioner of Health-GOTTFRIED KOEHLER, M. D. Secretary-E. R Pritchard. Office Secretary-S. F. Manning. Chief, Bureau of Vital Statistics-M. O. Heckard, M. D. Chief, Bureau of Medical Inspection-Heman Spalding, M. D. Assistant Chief, Bureau of Medical Inspection-I. D. Rawlings, M. D. Assistant Chief, Bureau of Sanitation-Thomas J. Claffy. Chief, Bureau of Hospitals, Baths and Lodging Houses—W. K. Murray, M. D. He ap The Department of Health is a department of the city government established under an ordinance of the city. It embraces the Commissioner of Health, and such other assistants and employes as the City Council may by ordinance provide. At the same time, by the same ordinance, there was created the office of Commissionr of Health, the holder of which is appointed by the Mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the City Council. He must be a physician duly licensed to practice medicine. He has the management and control of all matters and things pertaining to the department. Conditioned for the faithful performance of his public duties, he executes a bond to the city in the sum of $5,000, with such securities as the City Council shall approve. He has and exercises a general supervision over the sanitary condition of the city and all orders and directions emanating from the department are issued in his name. points, acording to law, an Assistant Commissioner of Health, a Secretary, a Register of Vital Statistics, a Director of Laboratories, a Chief Food Inspector, medical, sanitary, meat, milk and ice inspectors, disinfectors and hospital attendants, and such other employes as may be necessary; and he may remove, according to law, any of such officers or employes. The Commissioner is reouired to enforce all the laws of the state and ordinances of the city, and all rules and regulations of the Department of Health in relation to the sanitary condition of the city. For the purpose of carrying out such requirements, he has authority at all times to enter into any house, store, stable or other building, and to take any measures that may be necessary to make a thorough examination of cellars, vaults, sinks, drains and other places and things, and cause them all to be cleaned and kept in good condition. In the necessary books for the purpose he keeps a record of all transactions of the department, including the registration of deaths; and he keeps on hand the necessary blanks to be used by physicians and midwives and to furnish the same on application. He gives to the Mayor and other city officials such professional advice and information as they may require, with a view to the preservation of the public health; and whenever he hears of the existence of any contagious or epidemic disease, it becomes his duty to investigate and adopt measures to arrest its progress. He has power to make rules and regulations in relation to the sanitary condition of the city and for the prevention and suppression of disease, but such rules and regulations do not become effective until they have been approved by the City Council, except in cases of emergency. There is a penalty provided of not less than ten dollars nor more than two hundred dollars for each offense of any person violating, disobeying or refusing to comply with any rule, order or sanitary regulation of the Department of Health. The Commissioner of Health, the Assistant Commissioner, the Secretary of the Health Department, and all physicians, employes or inspectors who may be designated by the Commissioner of Health, have full police powers and the right to arrest or cause to be arrested any person who violates any of the provisions of the ordinance or rule of the department. Bureaus and subdivisions are established within the department for the better facilitation of the department's work, and for all suca special rules and regulations exist. City Physician. City Physician-J. D. McGREGOR, M. D. The City Physician is appointed by the Mayor. He is a member ex-officio of the Department of Health, but exercises no power and performs no duty as such member, other than to advise and consult with the Commissioner when he is requested to do so. He, when directed to do so by the Superintendent of Police, or any police officer in charge, examines and makes provision for the care of all persons found to be sick or injured or insane at any police station; and when directed so to do, by the Corporation Counsel, City Attorney, Superintend ent of Police or a police officer having charge of any police station, he investigates and examines all cases of physical injury or illness claimed to result from defective streets, alleys, sidewalks and bridges, or from any cause which might render the city liable for damages, and reports the result of his visit and investigation. He examines employes of the city and reports the physical conditions found. He makes monthly visits to the House of Correction, the Juvenile Detention Home, the City Infants' Hospital, the House of the Good Shepherd and the Erring Women's Refuge, and submits a report of the medical services of these institutions to the City Comptroller at the end of each month. City Civil Service Commission. Members of the Commission-HARMON M. CAMPBELL, President; ELTON LOWER, JOHN J. FLYNN. Secretray and Chief Examiner-R. A. Widdowson. Examiner in Charge of Efficiency Division-James Miles. Engineer Efficiency Examiner in Charge—J. L. Jacobs. Examiner in Charge of Records Division-Miss F. B. Ross-Lewin. The provision of law governing the appointment of Chicago Civil Service Commissioners is contained in an act of the State Legislature to regulate the civil service of cities, approved and in force March 20, 1895. It is the following: "The Mayor of each city in this state which shall adopt this act shall, not less than forty nor more than ninety days after the taking effect of this act in such city, appoint three persons, who shall constitute and be known as the Civil Service Commissioners of such city, one for three years, one for two years and one for one year from the time of appointment, and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. Two commissioners shall constitute a quorum. All appointments to such commission, both original and to fill vacancies, shall be made that not more than two members shall, at the time of appointment, be members of the same political party. Said commissioners shall hold no other lucrative office or employment under the United States, the State of Illinois, or any municipal corporation or political division thereof. Each commissioner, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take the oath prescribed by the constitution of this state." Under another provision of this act, there was submitted to a vote of the electors of the City of Chicago at the general election held March 20, 1895, the proposition whether this city and its electors should adopt and become entitled to the benefits of the new law. A large majority of the votes of the election were cast for the proposition, and the Mayor at the time, George B. Swift, made proclamation of the adoption of the act and announced his appointment of three Civil Service Commissioners of Chicago. They were John M. Clark, for the term of three years; Robert A. Waller, for the period of two years, and Christopher ilotz, for a term of one year. The Commissioners, as authorized by the law to do, proceeded to classify all offices and places of employment in the city government, with reference to the examinations thereafter to be made, except officers who are elected by the people, or who are elected by the City Council, pursuant to the city charter, or whose appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council, judges and clerks of election, members of any Board of Education, the superintendent and teachers of schools, heads of any principal department of the city, members of the Law Department and one Private Secretary to the Mayor; all of whom are not included in the classified service. The first Commission adopted rules, which from time to time have been amended or added to, for carrying into effect the purposes of the law. The rules were, as the law required, made public by publication in the official newspaper and by means of a pamphlet which contained them, and was freely distributed. The rules existing and in force in any one year are printed annually and are distributed without charge to all citizens who are interested in the administration and procedure of civil service. All applicants for places in the classified service are subjected to public and competitive examination, which is free to all citizens of the United States. The examinations must be practical in their character and relate to matters which fairly test the relative capacity of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the positions, and in some cases include tests of physical qualifications and health, and, when appropriate, manual skill. No questions in any examination relate to political or religious opinions or affiliations. In all cases the Commission has control of the examinations, specifying limitations only as to residence, age, health, habits and moral character of the applicant. After such public, competitive and free examination, the papers are marked and graded and the names of all who have passed over and above 70 are placed on the eligible register, such persons taking rank upon the register as candidates for appointment in the order of their relative excellence as determined by the examination. Preferred persons for appointment to the classified service are those who were engaged in the military or naval service of the United States during the years 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864, and who were honorably discharged therefrom; but only on condition that they are found to possess the business capacity necessary for the proper discharge of the duties to which they are assigned. Vacancies in the high grades are filled by competitive promotion examination; the manner of promotion examination, the rules governing the same, and the method of certifying are the same as provided for orignal appointment. The Commission decides as to the cases where a promotion examination is practical or possible, and as to the members in the next lower grade who are eligible to take such examination. Whenever a vacancy in the clasified service exists in any dpartment, the head of the department notifies the Commission of the fact and the Commission certifies to such appointing officer the name and address of the candidate standing highest upon an original register for the kind and grade to which the position belongs. In the case of an eligible register resulting from a promotion examination, the Commission certifies the names and addresses of the three candidates standing highest upon such register. The persons certified or tendered reinstatement must report to the head of department or appointing officer within five days from the date of certification. In case of original appointment, the persons are on probation for a period of six months, at the expiration of which period, if he or she is found competent, the appointment becomes complete. The Commission ascertains also the duties imposed by law and practice upon particular groups of employes and keeps records of the standard of efficiency of such employes. These records of efficiency are used either as a basis for promotion, or for lay off, or, where the final efficiency average falls below 70, as a basis for discharge. The efficiency division investigates the methods employed in the different departments. Department of Police. Superintendent of Police-JAMES GLEASON. Secretary to the Superintendent--E. M. Cummings. |