The evening times., 1897-06-19

relative 10 the application OF the civil serv-
ice rules to the Government Printing Of
| flee Mr.. Prescott writes that he deems II
| his duty TO advise the committee OF the
! facts, he having been advised that a state
ment was recently made before the COM
mit.ce that the union was in favor OF such
application.
The union is composed of about 40,-
600 iourneymen printers. distributed among
| subordinate unions located In every city
and town where printing business is of
rloment," Nh. Prescott writes. Though
doubtful il one has done so, subordinate
union may have taken some such action
as my informant refers 10, but in doing
Sc it r2n counter TO the expressed wish
| and command Of the present body, as is
amply attcsted Toy the following resolution
adopted at our last general convention,
held at Colorado Springs, n October, 1896,
sixteen months after the Office had been
placed under operation of the rules:
THAT the civil service system as ap-
piled to the Government Printing Office
is hereby condemned, and that the Inter
national Typographical Union, and the in
dividual meubers thereof, use their best
efforts 70 secure the removal of the said
civil service regulations from the Govern
nent Printing office, and the officers OF
the International Typographical Union are
hereby directed to petition Congress and
the incoming Administration to that ef-
feet A"
Mr.. Prescott says that several reasons
prompted the union TO take this position.
The union did not propose to critic.se or
comment on the civil service SYSTEM gen
orally. but il was, he said, OF the opinion
that the system was not suitable for ap
plication Ia great productive concerns like
the Government Printing office. The
standard of workmanship fixed by the
Iniun was of the highest and the indis-
putable facts We're, he thought q suf-
fIcient answer 10 those who originally De
nCuuced the union as irreConcilahlcs or
exhoucrs and should convince the most
skeptical that there was good reason for
the above expression on the civil service
rules and some weight should attach u ii.
Naturally, the union, he said, maintained
that a system which had proven success
ful in private printing offices could be APP
piled advantageOusly in a public office,
Civil service might be a good thing in
departments that require employees of
peculiar abilities which the Government
only has extensive facilities for developing.
but when the followers Of a calling were
widely scattered and opportunities 60 ac-
quire the trade offered themselves on
every hand the best results were obtain
able, the union believed, under the stiruu-
luS Of open and fair competition
II was imperative. Mr. Prescott said,
chat new nctentions and increases should
he filled with the best workmen procur-
able. They brought TO the office fresh
ideas aS To methods and results, aad their
presence and work would be profitable
alike to their fellow workmen and the
Government Mr.. Prescott saws he has
been credibly informed the civil service
rules are not conducive 10 the office heinr
conducted on such a plan. in CONCLUSION
he Us:
The Typographical Union, after over a
years experience under yilseTvice rules |
dnj under which from 900 to zoo ofits |
members have been employed-is not of |
the opinion that the peoples interests are
being SubServei by their application to the |
Government Printing office Therefore il /
VIII exercise its influence to secure their |
abrogat!cn, and have the office placed upon |
the same basis as the mOstSuccesr rulpnyate |
offices
Briefly, the union is OF the opinion |
that better results would be obtained by /
making foremen responsible for the quail
ity and quantity of the output uf their
respective departments, investing them /
with authority to supply help at will and |
discharge employees
'u) To decrease the force;
"t2l For inoomretency:
"(3l Neglect Of duty:
"a Violation of office rules, etc.