The times., 1899-06-20
THE CLERKS MUST WORK.
New Rules Governing Business In the
Navy Department

navy Department..
The new head of the Bureau of Supplies
| and Accounts of the Navy Department,
Admiral Kenny, has caused CONSERVATION
and chagrin on the part of the employees
OF his bureau by issuing rules for their
department during Office hours.
The employees of the State. War, and
Navy Departments have long been regard
ed as the smart set among Government
clerks. Their work has been easy and
their burden light; they have kept their
own hours, and their daily labors have
grown rather to be social functions than
matters of necessity. Positions in these
departments are the aspiration of the
down-trodden of the Treasury, Posioffiee,
Agricultural, and various other depart
ments where a standard of work is ad-
hered to something more akin to the busl-
ness world. On the other hand an aris-
tocracy has been gradually developed in
these pampered departments. Inches have
grown into miles, until the work to be
done is the last consideration. Some of the
clerks there have long seemed TO feel that
it was not good for them to work, and for
years a great many employed in the State,
War, and Navy Departments have pro-
tested against being called clerks" but
have printed on their visiting cards at
taches" of the department to which
they belong. The new head of the bureau
has already made himself unpopular with
the clerks, but it is not presumed there
will be any designations because Of the
new regulations.
The CONSERVATION which has followed
the introduction of the following rules,
therefore, can readily be imagined:
I. The Paymaster General feels it necessary to
draw attention to a certain spirit of laxness in
the bureau, which is shown at times in tardi-
ness of arrival, neglect of legitimate work for
the reading of newspapers, conversation, and
excursions through the corridors.
2. The clerical force will realize that satis-
factory work cannot be done in and by the bu-
rcau if such infractions of proper discipline
permitted. Silence is especially enjoined, 60 far
as practicable.
Necessary conference or collaboration concern
ing work in hand should always be conducted in
very low tones.
g.. For the proper maintenance of efficiency
lists as required by the civil service system,
clerks are directed hereafter to register times
OF arrival in the morning, of departure and
turn at midday. and Of departure at the close of
the day. 50
4. No excuse whatever will be accepted for
). The following penalties are established and
will be charged in the efficiency records of in
dividuas in cases OF infraction of office rules:
Tardiness, points; tardiness lover half hour),
points, dng or lettering in corridors, points;
reading newspapers or other periodicals, or writ
ing private business during office hours,
points; entertaining visitors during Office hours.
points; absence without leave or without
tifcate of illness, 10 points; neglect 10 carry
out verbal instructions, 10 points; talking above
n low tone during Office hours in any of the
rooms where clerical work is going on, 10
points; neglect to carry out printed regulations,
written orders, Or memorandums, % points.
Any offence not herein enumerated will be rated
as to points when it is committed, as the Pay
master General may decide.