Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-08
Civil Service Rules in the Printing
Office Defended.
DECLARED TO BE BENEFICIAL
Assistant Foreman Oyster Speaks
Of Many Years Experience.
EXAMINATIONS PRACTICAL

anu retrencnment resumed Its hearings this
morning in the Maltby building
Mr.. Oscar j. Ricketts,, private secretary
to the present public printer was the first
witness examined. He said he desired to
refer to the charges CT Samuel P Donovan
Mt previous meeting. that he had been
unfairly dismissed, and had not been rein
stated, as he should have been. Mr. Rick
etts said Mr. Donovan was appointed a
temporary compositcr last May from a list
certified by the civil service commission.
MT DonovanS name was fifth on a list of
seVenty-three others. When he reached
this name he looked in the record to see II
Mr.. Donovan had been employed in the bu-
reau previously. He found that Mr. Dono-
van had been employed for twenty days
During nine days time he had set 29gOO
type, which at piece rates would have
amounted TO $1245. This did not include
the blank allowance, which would probably
nave increased the earnings one-fourth.
For this however, he had received SIS 50
wages. MT. Ricketts, concluded from this
record that Mr.. Donovan was not an ex-
pert printer, and he rejected the name.
Mr. Ricketts, said he rejected him solely on
the ground of his previous record in the Of
flee. He had told Mr.. Donovan that there
could be no other reason. because he did
not know anything of him.
Then, as l understand It," asked Senator
Pritchard, influence is not necessary to
III tiic 6oNSiHHeb
printing Officer
Absolutely unnecessary" replied Mr.
Ricketts,; and besides, an attempt to ex-
ert influence would be Illegal
Mr.. Ricketts, was closely questioned by
Senator Chiffon as to the method of Sc
iectlnS one name from the three names
certified upon each communication from
the civil service commission.
How does it happen that in one case
here, said Senator Chiffon you selected
Mr.. Ruggles, who, it appears. held the low
est grade OF the three names mentioned in
the certificate, and that you passed over
Mr. Abbey, who held higher rank?"
Guided by the Record.
Mr. Ricketts, replied that he had chosen
Ruggles because reference to his record
convinced him that he was probably bet
ter printer than the other RuggIes was
temporarily employed in the Office
Had you made any inquiry about him?'
None at ALL
Did you consult any senator or repre-
sentative about him?'
Il did not"
Did you know RuggIes' polities?,
nave heard since what his politics
Did you consult any senator or repre-
sentative about any Of the men you Sc
iected?"
Il did not"
senator Chiffon went through the list of
selections made upon the occasion men
TONED and asked Mr.. Ricketts, to explain I'm
each case why the man was selectej Out
OF the hfty-two names chosen thirty-six
were those of men who had been previously
employed in the Office and whose records
We're on file. His action upon the Others
was based on the showing made in their
examination papers.
Did you make these seIa ,tfops hy .,orr
SER, asked Senator Chiffon, 'or did Won
consult Public Printer Palmer?"
Mr. Ricketts, said that in the case of men
whose Office records were low he consulted
the public printer
Are you sure you did not consult him
about all of them?"
MI. Ricketts, said he had not consulted
him with respect to everything about them
Now. of the seven names YOU reie.IeJ
did you know any one?''
Il did not
Did you know their politics?"
ms was also answered in the mega i've
Then Senator Chiffon asked Mr. Ricketts,
to look over the list of the th.rty-six men
selected and identify those whom he knew
ne recognized three names of men whom
ne knew personally. One of them was a
republican and two We're democrats OF
the men whom he did not know there was
none with whose politics he was acquaint-
ed.
Then, 1 understand YOU to state nosi
lively that there has never been any com
munication, written verbally about the
politics of these men whom you selected?"
asked Senator Chiffon.
Not Influenced by Politics.
Il will state positively replied Mr.
Ricketts,, that in making these selections
politics did not enter into the choice
THAT was not my question if YOU will
excuse me-" said Senator Chill. On, ard then
he repeated it.
There may have been communications
to the public printer" replied Mr.. Ricketts,,
but l had no knowledge of anythin,, of
the kind.
Mr.. Robert B. HASTE of the government
printing Office and a member of the exam
ir,ir,
He said it had been more than a year and
a half since he had been called upen to
prepare examinations.
DO you think the examinations are of
such a quality as to bring out the qualifi-
cations of applicants?" asked Mr. Proctor
Il do replied Mr.. HASTE.
Would rigid application of civil service
rules improve the service in the govern
ment printing Officer" asked Mr. Proctor.
1T would Mr.. HASTE said.
Benefit of Civil Service Rules,
Mr.. E. w. Oyster then testified. He is
the assistant foreman in charge of the
specification division of the government
printing Office. He said he had been en-
pioyed in the government printing office at
intervals for fifteen or sixteen years. He
said the old system of conducting the office
was defective. 1t increased the cost of do
ing the the public work by permitting the
discharge Of good men for political reasons
and the employment of men not SO capable.
ne Sdlu the OBJECT OF eStaDilSnlnS the gov
eminent printing Office was to obtain
place where public work could be conduct
ed upon business basis, and free from
the influence of the spokesman.
He said his experience had demonstrated
to him that the civil service law had re-
suited benefcially in the government print
Ing office, and it would pe a calamity to
the public service to remove the application
of civil service rule to the Office, unless a
system could be devised that would relieve
the public printer from all political in
fuence. He said the examinations ought
to be as practical they could be made.
Mr.. Oyster referred to the testimony of
Mr.. Donovan, given at a previous meeting,
and said MI. Donovan was dropped be-
cause he had not shown sufficient indica-
lions of improvement in his work He said
the work was not intricate, as claimed by
Mr.. Donovan.
Mr.. Oyster said Public Printer Benedict
had made discharges for political reasons in
his last term of office. Other discharges
were made after September, 1894, for rea-
sons not political and thirty-three of these
vacancies were filled through the civil SER
vice commission. The work of these ap-
pointees showed an increase of 81 per cent
over the record of those who had been dis
missed.