The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-06
GAGE ON CIVIL SERVICE.
lie Believes the Order of May, 1896. Too
Sweeping-W Would Remove All Ex-
eept Clerks From the List.

Washington. Jan. 5.-Secretary Gage
and other cabinet officers to-day replied
to the senate resolution of Dec. Is. cali
ing upon the heads of the several eN-
ecutiye departments for information as
to what positions, in their respective de-
partments, should be excepted from the
civil service laws and rules. Gage be-
lieNes that experience has taught that
the order of May ., 1895, was too sweep
ing. and that there should be taken out
Of the classified service considerable
number of places at that time classified
and that the most important OF these
places are in the internal revenue serN-
ice. "The difficulties which the depart
ment has experienced in the admins
tration of the rules as they now exist
az applied 10 the internal revenue serv-
Ice, have become ntolerable, said
Gage. Il believe that all positions OF
deputy collectors of internal revenue
should he made excepted places, sub
ject, however, to non-competitive eX-
animation. The collectors who appoint
the deputies are are personally respon-
sihle for the conduct of their Subordi-
mates. This responsibility covers not
only the fidelity and integrity OF those
subordinates in their relation 10 the
government. but extends to personal
liability to those who may be injured
in person OF in property by inconsidef-
ate or malicious trespass committed by
such subordinates in the course OF their
duties. IL is obviously wrong that
collector, after assuming the heavy re-
sponsiblity that he does. should be tied
down To an eligible list. ! believe it Is
desra BILE that the collectors be free 10
select their subordinates from among
men. concerning whose personal ehaf-
acteristics and integrity they have
knowledge
Another branch of the service where
experience has demonstrated that class
ification was ill advised. is the custo-
dian service in the public buildings
throughout the country. There are In
this service a large number of low
salaried position where no academic test
ii required or desired. | believe that 1t
would be of distinct advantage to take
all positions in the custodian force, in
Guiding elevator conductors, tiremen,
dynamo tenders and employees Of Il SINH
lar character out of the CLASSIFIED sefN-
ice The employees of the light house
establishment has been under civil serY-
ice rules since May 6. No Improvement
has resulted. but ON the other hand NeN-
ations delays in filling vacancies which,
fortunately, SO far have not resulted in
serious disaster For all employees in
the service. save the clerical force. the
best interests will he conserved by re-
moving them from the CLASSIFIED service.
| would also exempt the positions of
shipping commission at the various
ports
Il would further suggest such mod
ifieaiion of the rules as would permit.
when no eligible register exists.
permanent appointment to be made in
the discretion of the head of the de-
partment subject to a on-competitiye
examination by the civil service com
mission. and also that the rules be so
| modified as to permit the head of a
department to transfer any person in
the classified service of one branch of
! his department 10 the classified service
of another branch without regard to
apportionment.@
/ Secretary Wilson of the department
i of agriculture seN the following let
i ter: The chief trouble | find in the
| department of agriculture exists in the
/ bureau of animal industry but inspee-
/ tors. assistant inspectors. stock eS-
aminers and taggers covered into the
I service without examination, and the
only marked inefiiciency in the work of
/ any class of employees is among the
aforementioned employees or the hu-
reau of animal industry and in certain
/ of the statistical agents who We're also
| covered in the service without eNami-
j nation. These matters can be remedied
i by the president by eNempting certain
positions from the classified service or
/ by the head of the department through
departmental examinations.