Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-17
REMOVALS OF CLERKS.
Statement. by the Civil Service Com
mission.

statement. by the Civil Service Com
mission.
Government employees who have been dis
charged from the classified service for Do
iitical reasons will find great interest in q
statement made by the civil Service COM
mission to Star reporter today.
In reply to inquiries Commissioners Proc
ter. Harlow and Rice made the following
statement: at
The. commission desires most clearly to
say ths4 iti,is endeavorng to follow now
exactly rthe course it has always followed
IN such cases. Where allegation is made
with offer OF proof. that a removal or re-
ductioniS because of political opinions or
aftlliatiops the commission is employing all
the means at Its command to ascertain the
facts of the case.
1T has always Investigated every charge
of violatioh"of the civil service act or rules
which has bhen properly brought to its at
tentiontb To secure such investigation 1t is
necessary, not that the case should be as
suredly proved. but that some witness or
evidences shall be Offered as sustaining the
charger which charge the commission has
always felt itself bound under the law TO
consider.
I'm q considerable number, of cases in
the past, officials who violated the act or
rules have been removed by the President
Such removals have been made in some
cases where the grand jury even refused
TO tndfct, but where the President In the
exercises of his authority compelled ohedi-
ence to the methods established by him un-
der the civil service law
The attention of the commission has in
the past year been called to a considerable
number OF removals, forced designations.
reductions and promotions. which are al
legged to have been in violation of the civil
service rules. AS fast as other important
work committed to its care will allow the
commission Is Investigating these cases.
THE limited force at the disposition of the
commission for such work will not allow
1t, however. TO proceed in these cases ,s
rapidly as it wishes it could, to meet the
complaints of he persons who claim that
they are affected by reason of such al
legged violation of the rules. The commits
sion has always he'd that it's first duty is
to give preference to the current work of
providing eligibles for the public service.
1T Is an error for any one to assert that
the statement that a clerk Is removed for
cause" or "for the good of the service" is
bar to investigation. If evidence shows
that the removal was actually for political
reasons It makes difference what the
stated reason may be.
The civil service rules are rules made by
the President of the United States. They
have the force of law in the classified civil
service Just as a Presidents reciprocity
proclamation under a tariff act would have
the force Of law in the customs service.
Every civil service rule has been formally
approved by the President.
1.-The idea seems 20 have been indus
triously spread in some directions that
there Is no going behind the report of
the removing officer This is not true
The civil service commission can go be-
hind any report to ascertain the facts as
to the enforcement Of any of the civil
service rulos. The law specifically makes
1t Its duty to do this. The commission
! recognizes that the succ,as of the civil
service merit system largely depends upon
formed"