obtained, and in such cases political pressure and influence upon the appointing officer is reduced to the minimum possible under the law. Appointing officers appreciate this, and it is believed are grateful for the relief.

Competition is small for engineering positions, and, as a result, that department is far from being in a satisfactory con dition. This is mainly chargeable, it is believed, to the defective form of the city charter, which permits the common council to make appointments in that office, thus depriving the head of that department of a power which he should have and for the exercise of which he should be held responsible.

The limits of this report preclude further reference to other difficulties which confront the municipal commission in execut ing the law. It is hoped, however, that in the near future the municipal commission may receive a visit of inspection from some member or representative of the State Commission. Respectfully submitted.

NORTH TONAWANDA, N. Y., February 19, 1903

To the State Civil Service Commission:

GENTLEMEN.—The municipal civil service commission of the city of North Tonawanda, N. Y., herewith submits its annual report for the year 1902, together with the official roster of elassified service of said city.

Mindful of the more or less criticism that civil service examinations are more theoretical than practical, it has been the aim and endeavor of this commission to make all examinations as practical as possible, asking only such questions as would

disclose the ability of the candidate to satisfactorily discharge the duties of the position to which he seeks appointment.

It has also been the custom of this commission to consult with the heads of departments for the purpose of learning the exact requirements of the position and of obtaining the benefits. of the knowledge of the duties and experience possessed by such heads of departments.

Thus far the commission is justified in the belief that practical examinations are the best tests, and that the most satisfactory results are thereby obtained, as is evidenced by the undoubted fitness of those appointed from the eligible lists to discharge the duties of the position for which they were examined.

The civil service laws are being enforced in this city in accordance with the rules and regulations made by this commission and approved by the State Civil Service Commission. 1-2 The personnel of the civil service commission of the city of North Tonawanda, N. Y., is as follows:

3 Five meetings have been held during the year.

4 There are forty persons in the unclassified service.

5 In the exempt class there is 1 person; in the competitive class there are 22 persons; in the non-competitive class there are 4 persons, and in the labor class there are 65 persons.

6 The following competitive examinations were held during the year:

One examination for patrolman; two applicants passed the required 75 per cent or better, and one failed to pass. One examination for fireman in pumping station; one applicant passed the required 75 per cent or better, and one failed to pass.

7 There were no non-competitive examinations held during

the year.

8 The following appointments were made:

To exempt positions, none.

To competitive positions, 2.

To non-competitive positions, none.

To labor positions, 65.

9 There were two removals in the competitive class.

10, 11, 12 There were no resignations, transfers or promotions during the year.

13 There have been no exceptions from examination under section 14, paragraph 2, of the civil service law.

14 The provisions of the law giving preference to veterans have been strictly complied with.

15 The provision of the law regarding certification of pay. rolls and accounts has been strictly complied with, the pay-rolls and accounts being reviewed and certified by the secretary of the municipal civil service commission.

16 The provision of the law regarding the registration of laborers and certifications from the list has been strictly complied with.

17 (Questions: Has the commission a complete roster of all city employees, showing names, titles of positions, dates of appointments and salaries? Not answered, but copy of roster submitted with report.)

18 The financial officers of the city require the certificate of the commission upon all pay-rolls and accounts.

19 There has been no important increase or decrease in the number of persons in the civil service of the city, as compared with the year 1901.

20 (Opinion of the commission upon the effect of the applica tion of the civil service law to appointments and promotions. as to the character and efficiency of the persons appointed.)

(Answer) Good.

21 (Opinion of the commission as to the effect upon appointing officers, and especially what effect, if any, the law has had upon appointments in the police and fire departments.)

(Answer) Good; both instances. Respectfully submitted.

To the State Civil Service Commission:

GENTLEMEN. Pursuant to the provisions of section 10 of chapter 370 of the laws of 1899, we herewith submit the following as the annual report of the municipal civil service commission of the city of Ogdensburg, N. Y., for the year ending December 31, 1902:

The commission at present consists of Daniel W. Mulligan, chairman, occupation, lawyer, appointed March 4, 1902; W. W. Overton, occupation, clerk, appointed March 4, 1902, and S. E. Brown, occupation, physician, appointed 1899. The commissioners do not receive any salary.

D. J. Crichton, Jr., is secretary, appointed March 15, 1900, and is the only employee of the commission. There is no salary attached to this office.

The commission has held two meetings during the past year. There are 116 persons in the unclassified service.

There is 1 person in the exempt class, 14 in the competitive class, 2 in the non-competitive class and 160 in the labor class. The commission held one competitive examination during the year of applicants for the following positions:

Truant officer and mechanical engineer for the water department.

In the examination for truant officer there were ten applicants. Five passed and five failed. In the examination for