Civil Service Reform: The system by which public offices are filled and promotions made through competitive examinations held under federal, state or city government. It is known as the "merit system", since it looks toward the appointment of men to office because of their competency. It is a reaction from the "spoils system" or the practice of giving public offices to political favorites. The state measure was adopted, 1910, by Newark, by popular vote.
Coal Shortage: 27,000 emergency coal cards, entitling each person to 1,000 pounds of coal, were issued by Bd. of Health during coal shortage in the winter of 1917-18. U. S. government instituted Workless Mondays to conserve coal, and boards of education closed school buildings for lack of fuel.
College of Technology: See [Technical School].
Comfort Stations: First public comfort station, in Military Park, ready for use July, 1910. Cost $14,734. Maintained by Shade Tree Commission, now a division of Dept. of Parks and Public Property.
Commission Government: Adopted Oct. 9, 1917, at a special referendum election. Vote 19,069 for, and 6,053 against.
Present commissioners elected Nov. 13, 1917, to serve until May, 1921, are:
Mayor Charles P. Gillen. Dept. of Public Affairs.
Alexander Archibald. Dept. of Revenue and Finance.
William J. Brennan. Dept. of Public Safety.