MILWAUKEE, WIS., January 1, 1900.

Hon. David S. Rose, Mayor of Milwaukee:

SIR: In compliance with the law, the undersigned Board of City Service Commissioners present to you herewith for transmission to the Common Council its Fifth Annual Report, covering the last fiscal year from January 1, 1899, to December 31, 1899, both dates inclusive.

We beg to refer to the report of the Chief Examiner and Secretary which contains particulars of the working of the City Civil Service Department during said time, other matters bearing on questions involved, the statistics of the public service, the Revised Rules as amended with your approbation and that of your predecessors, the blank forms used in conducting the business of the Department and a copy of the Wisconsin City Civil Service Act, Chapter 313 of the Laws of 1895 as amended by Chapter 218 of the Laws of 1897.

The Board has made every effort to perform its duty with all consideration of the wishes of heads of departments possible without violating the letter and spirit of the law, keeping in view the good of the service and the just expectations of the citizens.

Owing to the improvements continually made by the Chief Examiner and Secretary in the organization of the office work and systematic auxiliaries and to the close and conscientious attention to duty on the part of the clerical force, the latter has been reduced with a saving of $300.00 per year.

The closest economy was practiced in the expenditures of the Department, so that a balance of $329.21 remained in the Civil Service Fund at the end of the year, although the bills for necessary printing were larger than in previous years.

We here beg leave to repeat substantially what was said in our Fourth Annual Report, as follows, to-wit: That the services of Mr. Chas. H. Doerflinger, the Chief Examiner and ex-officio Secretary of the Board, have been faithful, conscientious and in all respects conducted for the best interest of this municipality and that the subordinate clerks. have become thoroughly familiar with their respective duties, and all

persons having business transactions with the office are treated courteously and without discrimination.

The heads of the principal departments of the City government have co-operated with this Board in good faith for the benefit of the service.

Respectfully submitted,

E. E. CHAPIN,

CHARLES H. STROHMEYER,

EDGAR L. WOOD,

ERNEST P. BUTLER,

Commissioners.