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Show f Civil Service 4 i IN PASSLNG the measure providing civil servict for city police and fire departments, the Utah legislature records a constructive act in its behalf, The provision is one that has been long needed in Utah and is bound to work to the general benefit of the state at large. The measure is designed to take the police and fire departments out of politics and this is in the interest of public safetyr The bill as passed is not perfect. It is nevertheless a step in the right direction and one that can be Improved as time goes on. The new law will give merit a chance in the public service. It assures men that their employment employ-ment is safe so long as they are faithful to their duty and precludes the possibility of men being dismissed for inviting partisan, criticism. If it did no more than this the measure would be a dis-tinct dis-tinct improvement over the present , la ws. The measure, however, does more for it lays the foundation for individual efficiency within the ranks of the public service. We believe that the honest citizenship of this state is thoroughly tired of the law which permits the heads of the fire and police departments depart-ments to dismiss men with the bare explanation that it is "for the good of the service." Often men are dismissed who would not want the reasons rea-sons for the termination of their service made public. There are other times, however, when the action is inspired of partisan trickery or influence in-fluence and an injustice is done to the man. Not only does it deprive him of his employment, but it casts a stigma on him which makes it difficult for him to obfain employment elsewhere. Under the bill passed by the legislature, every member of the police and fire departments will be entitled to a hearing if he desires it. It gives him an opportunity to gain an unbiased and nonpartisan verdict when his wisdom or efficiency effi-ciency is questioned. This is no more than every man is entitled to and is to be regarded as progress in the struggle toward absolute fairness. Motion pictures of the lower house of the Utah legislature have been taken for exhibition throughout the state. It is announced the film is fpri-educational purposes. W'e hope- the picture will show the legislature as it appears to the general public and that jnosfLlonwLlLniissthe opportunity to see it in the interest of education. |