New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-16
1NTESTTGATORS SURPRISED.
EvAsroNs OF THE CIVIL SERVICE Law
IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINT
ING OFFICE.

Washington, May 1.-THE Senate committee which
ls Investigating the condition OF the Civil Service
resumed it's session to-day, Senators Pr'tchard.
Chiffon, EIkins Lodge and Harris Kan) ana
Civil Service Commissioner Proctor. Public Printer
Palmer and n number OF officials Of the Govern
ment Printing Office being present. Auditor How
ard who has Jurisdiction OF the accoInts OF ths
postofice Department, presented statement
showing the condition OF his Office and the politics
Of officials. 1t showed 80 per cent OF the employees
TO be Republicans and 40 per cent Democrats, the
others unknown. He said the office had formerly
been known as the "Botany Bay" OF the Treasury
Department, being the dumping ground for the OBJ
jectlonable material Of that Department Tho
present administration OF the Treasury had given
the office Just recognition, and the service had been
improved. The clerks brought In under the Civil
Service had been an Improvement over old clerks.
Public Printer Palmer said in the course OF
examination by Senator Lodge that he believed It
would be advantageous to abolish the Civil Service
system applicable to the Government Printing
Office and go back TO the former system.
Commissioner Proctor said that the examinations
were not prepared by the Civil Service Commission,
but by Board from the Government Printing
Office familiar with the requirements. The PUBLIC
Printer nominated the Board. so that he retained
discretion the examinations.
At this point William II. Collins. chief clerk OF
the Government Printing Office, caused mild
sensation by stating that he held a commisston as
q member Of the Board Of Examiners. But he old
not know the other members and had never acted.
After being appointed he had been called before
Albert Baker secretary to Public Printer Benedict
and advised that IL would be desirable for him not
to until directed by the Public Printer.
Mr.. Proctor and the Senators expressed surprise
at this statement, and the Commissioner sald ms
would learn the names OF the members or THIS
Board with a view to getting at the facts.
Mr.. Elkins brought out what he regarded as an IN
consistency that the mechanical force worked eight
no IRIS day while the clerical force worked SIX
and half hours at greater pay. Clerks In banks
etc, worked nine and ten hours day The law re-
qulred seven hours day from Government clerks
and Mr.. Elkins estimated that the Government lost
5000 10 $1,000 q day by short clerical service. Mr.
Ekns said II strange the Civil Service Commits
sion had not called attention to this loss TO the
Government and It's injustice 10 the labor OF the
country
committee agreed that the Public Printer had the
stabemen, charwomen, doorkeepers and others
If he had this power he proposed TO exercise II, but
he felt that the Civil Service commission Woui3
interfere with his action.
Suppose they do" asked Mr.. Ekns, what can
they do TO you? They not above the law. You
have as much right TO construe the law as they
have. The trouble is every one Is afraid OF this
Commission"
Captain II. T. Bryan, foreman OF the Government
Printing Office, testified the need of a modihca-
ton of the Civil Service rules Other witnesses gave
Individual complaints.
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