Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-04
PROCTER'S CHARGE.
Says Public Printer Makes Dismissals
Without Compliance With Rules.
HEARING GIVEN TO G. A. R. MEN
Session Of Senate Civil Service
Committee.
PPOSITION TO AXE r


The Senate committee on civil service and
retrenchment met this morning at 10 o'clock
to continue its work of investigating the
methods of the civil service. Members of
the committee present were Senators
Pritchard, chairman: Harris of Kansas and
Lodge of Massachusetts,.
The first witness was Mr.. Proctor, presi-
dent Of the civil service commission. Mr..
by Senator Pritchard regarding the status
of deputy marshals under the civil service
law. Mr.. Proctor said he thought deputy
marshals are properly classified.
Senator Pritchard asked Mr.. Proctor If
he had any suggestion to make regarding
the government printing office.
Attitude of the Public Printer.
Mr.. Procter-"Only that the public printer
should be obliged to obey the law"
Senator Pritchard-"Is he not obey1ng the
law?'
Mr.. Procter-"He may be technically do
ing so. but the rules under which we are
operating require that there shall be no
dismissal from the classified service, except
upon charges. The monthly reports of the
public printer show dIsmissals made mere
ly for cause or for the good of the SER
vice. That Is not proper compliance
with the rules"
Speaking of the printing office, Mr.. Proc
ter said he thought that branch of the gov
eminent service should have it's employees
apportioned among the several states as far
as possible. He said there was no rule to
TINS erect, but the practice of the commits
SION Is TO certify people for appointment in
that Office according to the principle of ap-
Portionment. He did not think the rule
could be strictly applied there, but it should
De as Tar as practicable.
Preference for Veterans,
Mr. Procter's examination was discontin-
aed to- allow Representative Howe of New
YORK to speak regarding Senate bill 1856,
In reference to the civil service. Mr., Howe
SAID the bill Is for the purpose of giving
preference to Union soldiers for appoint
ment to all places in the government, and
he hoped the committee would see the
necessity for such legislation, which was
to favor men who made it possible for the
Union to exist In this country today
Mr.. joseph w. Kay followed Mr.. Howe in
making an argument in favor of the bill
Mr.. Kay Is the chairman of the legislative
committee Of thu G. A. r. He explained
the provisions Of the bill. which requires
the commission to place the names of vet
Grams who pass civil service examinations
at the head of the eligible lists as Is now
done In the case Of veterans disabled in
sc rvice.
In reply to remark by Senator Harris
Mr.. Kay said the men in the south who
were on the battlefield have been the best
friends of the Union soldier.
Mr. Kay favored a provision in the bill
under which a pensioner who occupies a
government position paying 1890 or over
should relinquish his pension while draw
ing his salary.
Senator Harris thought such a rule should
not apply against men wounded in service.
Mr.. Kay was followed by Chas. W.
Strout, a member of the g. A r. MIR.
Strout was formerly foreman of laborers
In the Brooklyn navy yard, which place he
resigned to accept a position in the ap-
pellate court at Brooklyn. He said that
when he left the Brooklyn navy yard nine
tenths Of the laborers were Union soldiers,
but since that time many Of them have
been dismissed under a pretense that they
were inefficient for the work. although he
had found them entirely capable in every
way.
Abram G. If1a Of Brooklyn, a Union vet
eran, who had lost one leg in the war
spoke of the provision of the bill under
consideration relating to pensioners who
over. He said he had nothing to say on the
bill If Senator Harris suggestion was car
ried out exempting from the operation of
this provision such veterans who were
wounded in service.
Senator Lodge was not in the committee
room at the time, but Senators Pritchard
and Harris both said they would not favor
including veterans injured in the service
In the provision under consideration
David w. Lee of Brooklyn, also a mem
Der of the G. A. r., spoke of the need Of a
change In the law to permit the reinstate-
ment OF veterans who had been removed
over one year, and instanced cases in which
he claimed great injustice was done vet
Grams.
Mr.. Kay stated that the change suggested
by Senator Harris would be agreeable to
the q. A. R., which he represented. and
said the bill under consideration merely
conveyed general outline of what was
desired by veterans.
Wanted to, Know Mr.. Bakers Au-
thOrity.
A breezy scene was precipitated at the
conclusion Of the hearing of the representa-
tives Of the Grand Army. when ex-Repre-
sentative Baker of the National Republican
examine Con missioner Proctor. Mr.. Baker
had been asked by Senator Lodge to fur
nish the committee with the constitution
National Republican Anti-Civil Service
League, and he was asked II he had this
Information.
members of the league" said Mr.. Baker.
From my observation during the past few
weeks I think l should subject these mem
bers to persecution If 1 should do so. and
1 do not think 1t is within the purview OF
the committee
Senator Lodge here interrupted to say
as Mr.. Baker HAD been asked to furnish
this information and had not done he
would object to questions being asked of
the witness by Mr.. Baker. Mr.. Lodge said
that when Mr. Baker came before the
committee to cross Question witnesses the
committee had a right to know whom he
represents.
Mr.. Baker-'T represent 100 to 800 men,
Senator Pritchard-"Are they employed
in the Departmental"
Mr.. Baker said some of them were.
Senator Lodge said as Mr.. Baker repre-
sented an irresponsible body Of people
trying to break down the law he did not
wish to have him cross-question a witness
He remarked that the league was parti-
san body Mr.. Lodge finally withdrew his
objection and allowed Mr.. Baker to cross
question the witness. which was done.
Mr.. Boxer asked Mr.. Proctor II the COM
mission had certified men who had been in
the penitentiary for appointment.