COMPENSATION OF CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYES

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Chicago must not return to her former policy of allowing houses of ill-fame to operate. The present policy of suppression must be actively carried out. The city should at once arrange for the establishment of an industrial farm where fallen women may be sent to receive medical attention, moral enlightenment, and industrial training amid surroundings conducive to health and reformation. The municipality should encourage in every way campaigns of moral and hygenic education, and should exercise a stricter supervision over housing conditions, dance halls, and care of the feeble-minded and delinquent. Suppression of prostitution must not be allowed to constitute oppression of the prostitute. The latter should be given a new chance and a fresh start in life. Fines and repeated fines will avail little. The farm colony, as has been proven in certain European sections, as well as in New York, can work wonders in solving this problem for Chicago. At all times, it must be remembered that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Means for the prevention of prostitution should be given careful consideration and study by municipal officials generally.

Respectfully submitted.

(Signed) WILLIS O. NANCE,
ELLIS GEIGER,

Of Mayor's Commission to Study Municipal Problem in Europe.

RULE GOVERNING COMPENSATION OF CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYES. To The Heads of Departments:

At a recent budget meeting of the Committee on Finance I was directed to submit to you rules passed by the Finance Committee and approved by the City Council in the 1915 appropriation ordinance, and included in the rules of the Civil Service Commission governing the compensation and automatic advance of civil service employes. A copy of these rules is attached hereto.

You will note also a new rule with reference to the payment of overtime work by city employes. In the 1915 ordinance no provision has been made for overtime work, the plan of the committee being that where contingencies necessitating overtime work arise, and such work is requested and authorizd by the head of the department concerned and approved by the Committee on Finance, provision for payment for same will be made through Council action. (Signed)

Yours very truly,

JOHN A. RICHERT, Chairman, Committee on Finance.

Ordered, That the following rule govern advancements of civil service employes in the classified service:

Section 1. Whenever the Civil Service Commission shall by rule have classified offices and places of employment in the city service into classes and grades, and said offices and places have been placed in classes according to the general line and character of work involved in the respective duties thereof, and within each class shall have established grades or ranks, each grade or rank comprising offices and places having substantially similar duties, authority and responsibility, appropriations for salaries for all such offices and places of employment within each grade shall be uniform. No salaries shall be authorized or paid by the City Comptroller or City Treasurer for services of any officer or employe unless such person is occupying an office or place of employment according to the provisions of this rule and is entitled to payment therefor.

Sec. 2. Whenever any grade or rank in the classified service of the city shall have been divided into salary groups for the purpose of varying compensation according to efficiency and seniority, and the City Council shall have appropriated according to such salary groups for the positions in said grades of service, appointment by the head of the department or by appointing officer shall, be to the group having the lowest fixed salary rate. Advancement to the higher groups or salary rates shall be made on the basis of efficiency and seniority within the department, as shown by the records thereof kept in the office of the Civil Service Commission.

Sec. 3. Any officer or employe shall become eligible for advancement, and may be advanced from a lower salary group to the next higher salary group

within a grade in the classified service, when a vacancy in such higher salary group exists, after such officer or employe shall have served in such lower group by actual employment for at least the period specified in the rules of the Civil Service Commission. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to mean that it shall be mandatory upon the department head, City Comptroller, City Treasurer or Civil Service Commission to authorize and pay or advance an officer or employe to the next higher salary group within a grade of service because such officer or employe has served in the lower group the minimum period of time specified in the schedules as established by the Civil Service Commission.

Sec. 4. Whenever the City Council shall have advanced an office or place of employment in the classified service to a higher grade than theretofore existed, and increased the salary thereof, no payment of such advanced salary shall be made to the officer or employe filling such position until such time as he is certified to the higher grade in accordance with the civil service act and rules.

Sec. 5. Lobbying or soliciting on the part of any officer or employe of the city for any salary increase in violation of the terms of this rule is hereby prohibited.

Sec. 6. All matters relating to personal employment of an officer or employe shall be presented by such officer or employe only to his department or bureau head.

Sec. 7. No advancement of salary shall be made beyond an existing grade for the performance of the same duties but only in case of increased duties or responsibility which involve a change of position.

Sec. 8. No advancement of salary within a grade shall be made other than upon a basis of efficiency and seniority as established by the rules of the Civil Service Commission, or where it is found that the duties of the position are of a lower grade than the grade of the position heretofore appropriated.

Sec. 9. No advancement of salaries from group to group within a grade shall be made where the service in the department or bureau has been less than three months immediately preceding the date of the request.

Sec. 10. No provision for advancement in salary shall be made in the 1915 appropriation ordinance unless the eligibility of employes to advancement as established by the rules and records of the Civil Service Commission shall have obtained prior to February 1, 1915; provided, however, that where employes are receiving salaries less than $960 per year or where automatic advancement is specifically provided in the appropriation ordinance, appropriations therefor shall include amounts necessary for the advancement of such employes who become eligible any time during the year in accordance with the rules and records of the Civil Service Commission. In all other cases where employes become eligible during the year on the basis of seniority and efficiency, advancement may be made where such employes are assigned to vacancies in the same department or bureau caused by permanent separation of incumbents of positions of the same title and grade and in the next higher salary groups.

Sec. 11. No advancement of salaries shall be made where the average net efficiency, as shown by the records of the Civil Service Commission for the six months immediately preceding the date of the request is less than 75 per cent; or being between 75 and 80 per cent, the work of the employe is not considered upon investigation by the Civil Service Commission to merit the advancement.

Sec. 12. No overtime appropriation shall be included in the annual budget, but where contingencies necessitating overtime work arise and such work is requested and authorized by the head of the department concerned, and approved by the Committee on Finance, provision for payment for same will be made through the Council action.

Sec. 13. No transfers of salary funds shall be permitted after the passage of the annual budget, but where emergencies are shown to exist special action may be taken by the City Council.

"THE TOWN HALL OF THE NATION.'

The Local Division of the Chicago Association of Commerce, discusses three propositions looking to the building in this city of a "Town Hall of the Nation." These are-1. That Chicago has no adequate public meeting place. 2. That the municipality, not its citizens, should provide such a place. 3. That this municipal hall should stand on ground belonging to Outer Harbor District

No. 1. As regards the first assertion, say the officers of the Chicago Association of Commerce, it is believed every one will agree. Chicago has many public halls but all are inadequate for many purposes. As regards the second assertion, no serious opposition is expected by them. Great local, state, national and international gatherings are under consideration. These are of vital importance. If they cannot be properly housed here on advantageous terms, they will go elsewhere. Only the city can meet the situation. Private auditoriums built for profit must charge too high a rental. Auditoriums built by members of commercial organizations, not for profit but as a public duty, sooner or later fail. Only the municipality can build and maintain such an auditorium as will become the "Town Hall of the Nation."

Concerning the third point, contend the same officers, investigation will convince. As a first consideration it is to be borne in mind that the site will be almost free of cost. Filled in as the location for a one-story shed or dock for freight distribution, the superposing of this public hall will give beauty and quadruple benefit to the people. Being on the lake front the place has many advantages. Finally, it is close to the center of the city and capable of the best transportation facilities, equally accessible from all sections. The people of Chicago, it is believed, will look upon the construction of such a civic forum as a step necessary to the growth and prestige of their city. In no other way can public money bring a greater return to the public.

Architectural plans for this convention hall are already drawn up, but tentatively so, which afford some brief descriptions. This hall would consist of a great, high hall on the main floor, sufficiently raised from the plaza or place to give enough height for railway access to the enclosed dock and warehouse space beneath. These in part could be used for railway exposition rooms. The hall would be preceded by a vestibule portion and surrounded on the other sides by corridors from which would lead numerous exits and stairs to the balconies and the galleries.

The proposed hall itself would be 116 feet high, 508 feet long and 296 feet wide with an arched trussed roof. It would be lighted from the side and top. It would contain a main balcony over the ground vestibule, side balconies and galleries.

The entire north front of the building on the plaza or place would be occupied by a grand vestibule 277 feet long, 64 feet wide and 50 feet high. At its ends would be important stairs to the balconies and in it would be placed monumental descents leading to the lower vestibule. There would be ample toilet facilities on each floor.

At the south end, advantage would be taken of the extended view over the river and harbor looking toward the city, in providing an open colonnaded porch along the entire south front, flanked at each side by stairway towers. These would lead to the terrace above where could be located a restaurant, and down to the shores of the lake.

At the highest point of the building, reached from the stairway towers at the south end, would be an observation and search light platform for the enjoyment of the view as well as for the flashing of political and other results by search light and wireless. This south front, with its imposing architecture in plain sight from the city harbor, would offer unexampled opportunity for the electric advertising of whatever attractions might be offered.

There would be a walk entirely around the building attractively treated with appropriate trees, shrubs, balustrades and steps, and in front a formal balustraded plaza approach from the place by a flight of steps, decorated with flags and a large symbolic statue. By these means the hall would take its place as a harmonious part of a greater composition which would include the place, the pier and the extension of the Lake Shore Drive.

For conventions, the speaker's platform would be at the center of the semi-circular south end, around and in front of which would be grouped the invited guests, delegates and alternates, all on the main floor. The remaining space in the building, balconies, galleries, etc., would be for the general public. Numerous committee rooms would surround the hall under the balconies. grand north vestibule and surrounding corridors would provide ample space for informal conversation and discussion. The seating capacity, including delegates and alternates, would be sufficient for 31,614 persons.

The

To make a literal quotation from a handsome book issued by the Chicago Association of Commerce: "Up to the present time there has seemed to be no solution of the problem. Such a municipal hall must be within walking distance of the city's business center. The value of real estate so located has been prohibitive and nearly all individual holdings are small. The construction of Pier No. 2 has now provided a location which has all the advantages.

"In bringing the lake shore at the foot of East Grand Avenue and East Illinois street out to the dock line, land has been filled in that is adapted to a double use. The land has cost the city little or nothing. It offers room for present needs and future growth. A municipal hall erected here would face the approach to the freight, passenger and recreation pier now under construction. With the pier and new bathing beach it would form a great recreation and convention center, playground festivals, religious gatherings, and madein-Chicago exhibitions.

"Located just eight standard blocks from the intersection of State and Madison streets, it would be within walking distance of all the principal hotels. The Grand avenue surface line, running from the outer end of the pier to the city limits at North Harlem (Seventy-seventh) avenue, would give direct transfer to every north and south line. Additional tracks laid on East Illinois street and elevated would bring us through cars from the South and West Sides. For automobiles, the Lake Shore Drive would reach the hall and the north and south side boulevard link would cross within four blocks. Motor busses and the 'L' are possibilities of the immediate future. Water transportation would also play its part. Considered from every point of view the city has here a location that must satisfy the residents of every section of the city."

FOR A NEW CITY CHARTER.

Permanent Charter Commission of the City of Chicago, Illinois.

Alderman HENRY D. CAPITAIN, Chairman.

James G. Skinner, Secretary.

First Meeting, May 18, 1914—Preliminary Organization.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Alderman Capitain. All members of the Commission were present.

Alderman Meriam moved that a committee of seven, of which the Chairman shall be Chairman, be appointed to work out and present to the Commission a plan of organization and procedure. This motion was seconded by Alderman Littler, and after discussion and comment by Representative Shanahan was unanimously adopted.

The following is the committee appointed:

Alderman Henry D. Capitain, Chairman; Alderman John A. Richert, Alderman Charles E. Merriam, Representative David E. Shanahan, Mr. Henry Horner, Mr. Stephen S. Gregory, Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout.

Mr. Cole introduced a resolution reciting:

"That it is the sense of this convention that the only way to cure the ills that are now before us and to deal out evenhanded justice for all the

State is through a constitutional convention and * * * that the officers of this charter convention be instructed to memorialize the Legislature asking it to submit to the voters of Illinois the question of convening a State constitutional convention,''

and moved the adoption of the resolution.

He stated that he did not ask the adoption at that meeting, and the Chairman, without objection, referred the resolution to the committee of seven above referred to.

Alderman Harding, upon motion made and carried, was selected as temporary Secretary of the Commission.

Thereupon the Commission adjourned subject to the call of the Chairman.

Permanent Organization.

The Permanent Charter Commission met Tuesday, July 14, 1914, at 2:00 p. m. in the Finance Committee rooms, in the City Hall. Hon. Henry D. Capitain, Chairman of the Commission, presided.

The Chairman declared a quorum present, and appointed James G. Skinner temporary Secretary of the meeting.

The report of the special Committee on Plan and Procedure, appointed May 18, 1914, was received and read. On motion, duly made and seconded, the report was concurred in and the recommendations and rules submitted by the committee were adopted. Said report and rules are as follows:

"Chicago, July 10, 1914.

In conformity with the motion adopted at the meeting of the Commission on May 18, 1914, the special Committee on Plan and Procedure recommend for adoption the rules and methods of procedure submitted herewith.

It also recommends the appointment of Mr. James G. Skinner for Secretary and legal adviser of the Commission at a salary of five thousand dollars per year, and that the Chairman of the Commission be authorized to employ an assistant secretary and the necessary clerical and stenographic help.

Respectfully submitted,

Authorized by the City Council of the City of Chicago by resolution adopted on March 9th, 1914, and readopted on April 27th, 1914.

"First. The Commission shall proceed, as hereinafter provided, with the consideration and discussion of the general framework and fundamental provisions of a simple and elastic charter for the City of Chicago, granting to the city the largest practicable measure of local home rule, subject only to such general statutory safeguards and restrictions as may seem necessary to protect the general interests of the State as distinguished from the local interests of the municipality. The distinction between a municipal charter and a municipal code to be enacted under that charter should also be constantly borne in mind, and that a municipal charter should be a grant of broad powers and definite limitations under which municipal codes and the methods and agencies of municipal government can be constantly adapted to meet the changing needs and wishes of the city. The Commission shall proceed to devise ways and means to procure the constitutional authority for a complete rehabilitation of the revenue laws, and to permit the consolidation of the several municipalities and taxing bodies within the confines of Cook County and the Sanitary District of Chicago.

Second. The parliamentary procedure of this commission shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, except as otherwise provided in this report, or by any future rule or order of this commission adopted at a meeting held at least three days previously by a majority vote of all its members.

Third. The various standing committees shall proceed with the more detailed examination of the respective subjects submitted to them and be prepared to take up the work of drafting specific provisions in the form of definite legislative enactments. These provisions can be combined and harmonized under the direction of the Committee on Plan and Procedure, subject at all times to the instructions of the Commission. The result shall be submitted to the Commission for revision