Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-13
NO MORE SECRECY
Eligible List to Be Open to Public
Inspection.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ACTS
Many Reasons for Making This
Radical Change.
FAVORED BY DEPARTMENTS

The civil service commission today issued
an order that ali eligible lists in the possess
sion of the commission should be open to
the inspection of the public in the future.
This very important action was not taken
until all the heads of departments had been
sent the following circular letter, dated
July 10:
''Sir: The civil service commission has
had under consideration for some time past
the ACCESSIBILITY of opening all its registers
10 the public. Al present only few of
such registers are treated in this manner,
such as the clerk, Waterman, messenger.
skilled laborer, all registers for the custo-
dian service, superintendent of construc-
ton, assistant. Department of Agriculture,
etc The reasons which have been ad-
yanced for the opening Of these registers
seem to apply as we'll to all registers, but
the depar tTnents have in some special cases
made request that no information whatever
in regard 10 the condition of a register or
the relative standing of eligibies thereon
be disclosed The present condition of az
fairs has frequently placed the commission
in very embarrassing position, especially
as the departments have indicated to men,
bers of Congress that such information
would be given were it not for the rules of
the civil service commission In order that
this matter may be finally determined the
open all It's registers; in other words, to
give eligibles thereon information as to
their relative standing. unless good reason
why such should not be done is presented
by the various departments. You are,
therefore. requested Ito advise the commits
sion not later than Nugust 1, 1898, of any
reasons which you may have as to why
this course should not be pursued.
BY direction of the commission.
Departments Do Not object.
Only one department suggested any oppo-
sition to the course proposed by the COM
mission. and in that case it was suggested
that certain registers be kept from the in
spection of the public. In all other instances
when the departments replied at all they
agreed that the course proposed was a wise
one.
While Messrs. Roosevelt, Lyman and
Thompson formed the civil service commits
sion the eligible lists were all thrown open
TO public inspection for time. but an order
vas then given by which all except the
Lower Grades in the service should be closed
to the inspection Of the public.
1t was thought then that by keeping the
registers secret applicants would not know
when they were to be certified, and con-
sequently could not bring influence to bear
on their cases. 1t was thought that when
an applicant could see that he was one of
the first three on an eligible list he could
bring influence 10 bear on a department
get his name certified and receive an ap
not need assistance. or the third man on
certified list of three applicants could Sc
cure tire appointment by the use Of fnflu-
eEce. practically barring the men standing
above him from appointment. 1t was
thought that by these means the man IN
Washington, where he could marshal his
Ir1uence. would have an undue advantage
over the man located in some other part
OF the country. 1t was thought by keeping
the lists secret the departments would be
free to act without being hampered with
various influences
Publicity Is Desirable.
The present civil service commissioners
have through experience found that there
are many objections TO keeping the lists
secret and determined that they would open
them to public inspection instead of merely
informing those who go in examinations
the percentage secured ny them. They have
found that the diligent wire-puller has been
able IN many cases 10 discover how he
stood or eligible lists by comparing notes
with others who had taken the same ex
animation, and they determined that the
Ialrest way for all people concerned would
be to make the lists public. is now done
IN cases of examinations for the lower
grades, OF positions.
1t has been argued that the practice
should be uniform. and that either all lists
should be open or all should be closed.
They believe that taking all secrecy from
the handling of the eligible lists will give
greater general satisfaction, and that no
injustice will result by such action. 1t will
allow applicants 10 see just what chance
they have for appointment, and will result
IN men being able to know If they have no
chance of an appointment and allow them
10 look elsewhere for work. AS 1t now
stands. it frequently happens that an ap-
piicant passes an examination. though he
is far down on the list of eligibles and
really has no chance for appointment I'm
der the practice of the past such a one
could not be informed of the facts in his
case, but was allowed to hope on and to
finally meet disappointment