The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-06
CAGES CIVIL SERVICE GUN.
SECRETARY TAKES A SHOT AT THE
LAW AS TOO SWEEPING.

IInumerates Number of Minor
Places in the Government Service
Which He Thinks Should BE Ex-
cePted From Its PrOvisiOns-POsI-
ton of Deputy Collectors of In
ternaI Revenue One of Those
Named-CustOdians and Others in
McniaI Positions in Government
buildings Also Mentioned.
Washington. Jan. 5.-Secretary Gage and
other cabinet officers to-day replied to the
Senate resolution of Dec 49, calling upon
the heads of several executive depart
ments for information as to what posi-
lions in their executive departments
should be excepted from the civil service
law and rules. Secretary Cages reply in
part says: 81 believe that experience has
taught that the order of May 6. 1896, was
100 sweeping and that there should be
taken out of the classified service con-
siderable number of places that were at
this time classified. The most important
of these places are in the internal revenue
service. The difficulties which the de-
partment has experienced in the admins
tration of the rules, as they now exist, as
applied TO internal revenue service, have
become intolerable. I believe that all po-
sitions of deputy collectors of internal rev.
enue should be made excepted
places. subject, however, to non
competitive examinations. The collectors,
who appoint the deputies. are personally
responsible for the conduct of their sub
ordinates.
Another branch of the service where
experience has demonstrated that the clas
sification was ill-advised is the custodian
service in public buildings throughout the
country. There are in this service a large
number of the salaried persons where no
academic test is required or desirable. l
believe 1t would be distinct advantage
to take all positions in the custodian force,
including elevator conductors. firemen,
dynamo tenders and employees of a similar
character out of the classified service.
The employees of the lighthouse estab-
lishment have been under civil service
rules since May g. No Improvement has
resulted, but on the other hand veXations
delays have been occasioned in filling va
cancies, which fortunately so far have
not resulted in serious disaster. For all
employees in this service. save the clerical
| force, the best interests would be con-
| served by removing them from the CLASH
fed service. / would also exempt the posi-
tons of shipping commissioner at the va
| rious ports.
Il would further suggest such modi-
| fication of the rules would permit, when
no eligible register exists, a permanent
appointment to be made, in the discretion
| of the head of the department, subject to
| non-competitiVe examination by the
| civil service commission; and also that the
Ia GA1 he hon
| of department to transfer any person
in the classified service of one branch of
| his department to the classified service of
| another branch without regard to appor-
| tionment"
Secretary Wilson of the department of
| agriculture sent the following letter: THE
| chief trouble l find in the department of
| agriculture exists in the bureau of ami
NAL industry between inspectors assist
| ant inspectors, stock examiners and tag
| gers covered into the service without ex-
| animation, and the only marked ineffi-
cheney | find in the work of any class of
! employees in the department is among the
| above mentioned employees of the bureau
| of animal industry. and in certain of the
| statistical departments, who are also COW
| cred into the service without examination.
| These matters can be remedied by the
| President by excepting certain positions
| from the classified service, or by the head
of the department through departmental
| examinations"
| Although the treasury officials are reti-
cent ON the subject there are good reasons
for the belief that Secretary Cages letter
| is practically in substantial accord with the
| views of the President, and it is altogether
probable that in the absence of congress
! sional action on the subject, he will issue
new rules, which will carry into effect
the changes suggested by the secretary.