The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-07-08
EFFICIENCY THE ONLY TEST
Application Of Civil Service Rules
in the Printing Office.
INVESTIGATION is CONTINUED
Oscar j. Ricketts,, Private Secre-
tary of Public Printer Benedict,
Testifies That He Was Uninfi1-
enced by Congressmen's Recom-
meudations of Applicants.

The Civil Service Investigation Commit
tee today took up the Government Print
ing office again where 1t left off at the
last session.
Oscar j. Ricketts,, the private secretary
to the Public Printer, testified as to the
record of Mr.. Samuel 7. Donovan, OF Mary
land, the gentleman who testified at the
last session OF the committee. Mr. Ricketts,
said that according to the record Mr.. Dono-
van during the nine days that he worked,
made a very bad showing, setting only
S12 worth OF type at piece rates, for W hich
he received S2o. Dunng the entire twenty
days he was employed, his average was
5000 ems per day. Mr.. Ricketts, stated
that W hen Mr. Donovan had come TO him
in j une asking why he was not reinstated
he had told him that his record was very
poor and he cotld not expect TO get good
work from him. He had told MI Donovan
that a Congressman could not help him
in securing position.
Senator Pritchard-I understand you to
say, then, that Congressional influence is
not necessary 10 secure the appointment
OF man in the rrintin office?
Mr. Rieketts-It would be against thelaw,
and Congressional influence does not enter
! into the question.
Senator Harris OF Kansas asked Mr.
Ricketts, if any Others than Mr.. Donovan
" 100 nad beea cerIined by the CiyI Ser
vice Commi ssion, had been tried and found
the case if any of them had been en-
ployed.
Mr Ricketts, said that some men had
been proven to be first class. They We're
better than Mr. Donovan, however
Senator Harris seemed desi rous OF learn
ing lust how much Mr.. Donovan lacked IN
ef1ci ency that others had, but Mr.. Rick
etts only made the statement that the
other men seemed better fitted for the
places.
senator Chiffon took MT Ricketts, UP at
this point. In certiiications made 60 the
Government Printing Office by the Civil
Service Comm ssion, he found that ire
quently the first and second men OF the
three certified Were passed by and the
third man chosen. He tried 10 ascertain
from Mr.. Ricketts, why this was. Mr.
Ricketts, said that frequently it was be-
cause the third man had been at some
time employed in the office with good
record. He c,sse a man whose practical
work was known rather than a stranger.
Senator ChiiIon inquired OF the witues
If COngressmen we've ever Consulted about
these appointments, and in the choice OF
third man, say, when two Others were
skipped in the ceTuficatioDs.
iii. Ricketls-No Congressman was ever
consulted.
Senator Chilton-Did any Congressman
ever write TO you?
NO; or If any letters were written did
not take them into consideration"
Did you know the politics of any of
these men?"
No. Politics had absolutely nothing to
do with the appointments.
Senator Chiffon was still not satisfied.
Did you consult Mr.. Palmer about these
appointments" he asked.
Mr.. RiCketts-Of course, spoke to him
about them all. l was instructed by him,
however, to secure good men always.
Mr. Ricketts, did not during his whole
examination acknowledge any politics in
any of the appointments made by him in
May and June, when the last addition TO
the force was made.
Mr.. Robert H. Hasty, a member OF the
Civil Service commissioners Government
Printing OFFICE board, was next called.
lie said that when the Government Print
ing office was put under the civil service
rules he had been put on the board, and that
he had been frequently consulted 10y the
Civil Service Commission in forming the
examinations, He said that suggestions
which he had made for changes in these
examinations had always been needed
In answer to a question from Commits
sioner Proctor he stated that he believed
the civil service reform rules had inn
proved the efficiency of the force. He
said that he had seen many illustrations
of the exceliency OF the syaem
Mr.. L. W. oyster, assistant chief Of the
specifications division, glowmgIy indorsed
the workings of the civil service reform
methods in the Government Printing Of
flee. He testified that he had been a
printer all his life, and for many years
had held important positions in the Gov
eminent Printing Office.
Mr.. Oyster said that he had studied tie
workings of the old system thoroughly. and
that the office was aiwa Us under heavy ex-
pense and loss OF time when large numbers
OF political discharges were made. His OBJ
seryations since the new system has been
IN force shows that it gives better men
and better work. He believes that at least
10 per cent of the efficiency of the office
was lost by conducting it as a political
machine. Mr.. Oysters testimony was lis
tened to with great interest by the commit
tee, as he showed a keen intelligence and
a thorough understanding of his subject
His statement was moi concluded h,,t ,,.in