The times., 1897-04-29
Efficiency Among Treasury Clerks
To the Editor Of The Tirnns.


To the Editor OF The Times.
Referring to the statement In The
Times that Secretary Gage has appointed
committee to inquire into the standing
Of every cinp;oye Of the Treasury Depart
ment, let me ask what has become of
the efficiency" record ordered kept by
Secretary Carlisle?
Early in his administration orders were
issued that complete record OF each enl-
ploye be kept, including attenda nee, pune
tuality, accuracy, etc, and the time Of
one or more clerks in each division is uc-
cupied several days each month tabulat-
ing the score and making up the percent
ages. II this expense for record books and
time auounts.to anything why is a com
mittce now necessary, when all Mr.. Gage
has to do is To call fer the record of any
division or bureau to know just how we
stand?
Perhaps Mr. Gage has looked over these
records and has come To the conclusion
that records do not al ways record, or that,
from the peculiar manner OF keeping them.
they fail 10 show what the real efficiency
Is
To illustrate: The order is to keep "A
record of the errors made by each clerk
in his work Does anyone suppose that
such a list will show which of two men
is more efficient? In the sixth auditor $
office such a list is kept, and a more un-
just thing cannot we'll be imagined One
man has a difficult set OF accounts, with
many changes of names dates and com
pensat;on, giving many chances for er-
rors; while another man has an easy sec
ton, few changes and fewer opportunities
to make mistakes, yet the first man is
placed in competition with the SEC
ond and no explanation as 10 the
difference IN the work is given
Then, again. the work OF some is of
such nature that, should they make All
error, they can detect it tn einselyes-
Again, one man may and does have, say,
5000 accounts, and another 2,500-it
heing impossible to divide them exactly.
Still, no advantage is reckoned TO the
man who has the large number-an error
is an error, whether it be l cent or
500.
But the crowning ahsurdity in the sixth
auditors office-a disgrace to the man
who conceived the idea-is the posting
up in the public halls of the number ot
seems to be to show to the people out
side the office how inefficient the clerks
are, and to huiniliaie the clerks by pub
listing their names. This is done, too,
under Mr.. McKinley's Administration, by
Auditor Howard, who has no conception
OF the difficulty of the work, nor any
'egard for the feelings OF his employees.
IL a mans entire record were rosted,
showing his general efficiency, there
might be some reason for pilloring the
clerks, but to pick out their errors is
like a father who daily tells his son OF
his bad actions, and never praises Lin
for good ones. Howard has condemned his
clerks often, but never commended them,
1t is hoped that the next auditor will
not only be gentleman OF such refinement
as to have a regard for the feelings OF
men and women. but will also be a man
of such Judgment as to see that such records
are detrinent and not an advantage TO
the work. A system of efficiency based on
errors instead OF merit needs looking after,
and in this light perhaps s1r. Gage is to be
commended for desiring some other method
of ascertaining general efficiency" While
he Is at it, an inquiry into the civil
service methods orthe sixth auditor IS office
might will be aired. and If so, Promise
OF a rich find is made on the start. 1t is
unique and convenient for the accomplish
ment Of (the late1 party ends.
III. c. kinney.