Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-22

divided between the different political par
ties. The civil service commission consulted
members of the board as to the lists OF
questions to be prepared The full board
never met, however. to pass upon the ques-
tons He said the public printer objected
to holding practical examinations IN the
printing office. and a controversy arose
with the civil service commission over this
point About this time Mr.. Collins had re-
examining board. and Mr.. Baker told him
that while the controversy with the COM
mission was pending he might az well with
hold action as member OF the board. The
same advice was given to another MEM
Der. He did not know whether the board
had ever acted since then or not. He knew
there had never been a full meeting OF that
board. He had given that advice to the
members of the board partly upon the sug-
gestion of the public printer. The matter
had been talked over with the public printer
and Mr. Baker had then Informed the civil
service commission of the advice ne had
given the II embers of the examining board
In answer to questions by President Proc
ter. Mr.. Baker said that the character OF
the people VINO are coming in now under
the present system of examinations Is
very good" Only about ten have been
dropped for inefficiency. He admitted that
there is less cause now for dismissal. Mr..
Proctor said that before the civil service
law went into effect the dsmissals aver
aged from % to 100 a year, while under
civil service rules they average about %
year, and Mr. Baker said this was the fact.
Senator Elkins examined Mr.. Baker close
ly to the beneficial operation of the
civil service law in the office. He was re-
luctant. he said. to express his personal
opinion, but upon being pressed Mr.. Baker
said that the law vas beneficial TO the
service.
Senator Elkns asked about the difference
in working time between the clerical ard
mechanical forces In the office. Mr.. Baker
said the mechanical forces paid by the
hour and work eight hours. The clerical
force. which is small works the clerks
do in the departments on a regular salary
ar puts in six and one-half hours of time.
Mr.. Baker said the questions put to the
mechanical forces are practical IN their
character.
In answer to a question Mr. Baker said
that about 900 of the 5000 employees are
from the District of Columbia. The gov
eminent printing office Is excepted from the
rule applying to state quotas
Standing of a NOn-UniOn Man.
In answer to a question Mr. Baker said
that non-union man might get in the
office under civil service rules. but was not
likely to stay. 1t was usually found that
the man was incompetent after four CT five
days trial
Senator Pri.chard expressed surprise that
an incompetent man shorld get past the
civil service commission IN the first place.
II want to know" said Senator Elkins
whether a non-union man could stay in
that Officer
TT would require great deal of back
bone on the part of the public printer to
keep him there" replied Mr.. Baker.
whether he was certified to be compe
tent or not?' asked Senator Elkins.
Mr.. Baker smiled assent
Then 1t seems there is something greater
than the civil service law" said Senator
Elkins.
THE senator is doubtless familiar with
labor unions" suggested Nh. Baker.
Increased Efficiency shown.
Mr.. Harold Benedict was then sworn.
He was formerly employed in the govern
ment printing Office. In answer to ques-
tons by Mr.. Proctor, Mr.. Benedict said he
was a member of the civil service examin-
ing board of the office. The members of
the board. thirteen or fourteen in num-
Der. were workmen of high standing as
to efficiency in the office. This board sug-
gested questions for the civil service ex-
aminations- The examinations were
sidered by the printers as practical and
satisfactory in character. and likely to
bring good men to the office.
Mr. Benedict thought that the efficiency
of the force is 30 per cent better under
civil service methods than under the old
system. 1t was true that under the old
system incompetent men were retained in
Office for political reasons. Under Public
Printer Palmer's first term men were en-
ployed for political reasons. and a con-
siderable per cent of them were incom-
petent. When Public Printer Benedict
came in the second time he had the adj
vantage of a previous experience, and he
guarded against incompetency to a large
extent. although he appointed men for
political reasons.
In answer to question. the witness ad-
mitted that the fair way to extend civil
service to the government printing Office
would have been to require every employee
there to undergo examination at the
time the law was applied. He cited case
under the old system where a senator's in
fiucpce had even kept non-union man in
the office.
Democrats Appointed by Mr.. Palmer.
Mr.. Benedict said that during the latter
part of Public Printer Palmer's first term
he appointed great number of democrats.
The Office was overcrowded by Mr. Palm
er's wholesale appointments and his ac-
tiCn presumably for thu purpose Of
pleasing the democratic administration
which had then just come into power.
Wren Public Printer Benedict took hold
he found the office overcrowded and dis
charged men right anG left. The witness
supposed that In making the discharges 10
bring down the force more republicans
than democrats were dismissed.
During the latter part of Public Printer
Planners term. said Mar. Benedict when
he was trying to retain the friendship of
the democratic administration. Representa-
live James ID. Richardson of Tennessee had
about seyeEty-five employees appointed in
the government printing office"
This statement created a mild sensation
in the committee.
10 else had large NUMBER" asked
Senator Elkins.
We'll. Senator German had about 300
appointees." said Mr. Benedict
And this was under a republican public
printer
Yes. but the tide had set the other
way" said Mr.. Benedict.
Senator Pritchard. in the course of a
series OF questions. made the assertion that
the construction put upon the term skilled
taborers had done more to bring the oper-
atoms OF the civil service law into disre-
pute than anything else.
Mr. Benedict held that there was no way
10 make division between skilled laborers
ana other laborers in the government print
Ing Office
Wants More Practical Examinations.
Mr. j. L. Kennedy was then examined.
He held that mans merit does not give
MIN protection under the civil service sys
TEN nor prevent the head of the DEPART
ment from removing him. The civil service
commission could not go be hind the stale
ment OF the executive officer that an en-
pioye was removed for cause or for good
of the service He held that il the cyan
nations were entirely practical there would
De no serious objection to civil service In