The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28
REoRGANIzING THE SERVICE.
The Weather Bureau Bill Ia He Re-
ported Fayorably.

One Of the most interesting bills that will
shortly come up in thg House is the meas
ure reported by Mr. wadsworth from the
Committee ON Agriculture. which provides
for a reorganization of the United States
Weather Bureau. One OF the features of
the bill which has attracted attention is
the granting of authority to the employees
of the bureau TO create, exclusively from
their own moneys fund for the retire
ment OF disabled and aged officials this to
be accomplished without one dollar of
pense TO the Federal Government and in
such a way that at time in the future
can the Federal Government be called on
to contribute in any manner TO the fund.
The report concludes as follows:
ITO briefly summarize the salient fea
tures of the proposed law, IL may be said
that il apportions appointments among
Senators. Representatives. and Delegates.
without regard TO their political faith. and
IL provides that candidates shall be nomi-
mated under such conditions as will render
it difficult, il not impossible. TO affect the
permanent appointment or the promotion
Of an unfit person. II prohibits the use Of
political or other influences to secure pro-
motion or assignment. We believe that this
measure properly Co o-ordinatcs the pre-
negatives of Congress and the executive
officers OF the Government in the matter
OF the appointment to and the control Of
the weather service. II places each en-
ploye strictly upon his merits and COM
peIs him to work out his own salvation,
while the present law leaves this to the
will of the executive officer or the rules of
a commission II prohibits the removal
of any employe for political reasons. and
makes his tenure of Office secure SO long
as his services are advantageous To the
Government and no longer. Without one
cent OF expense to the Government il pro-
yides for the separation from the public
payr0lls OF disabled. aged. or only partly
efficient employees and At the same time if
provides support in their hours Of need.
THE bill is strictly in line with the
most advanced ideas On civil service as
espoused by many executive officers who
have had vide experience in the public
service, and vino are earnest in their de-
sire TO maintain either the existing laws
on the civil service or an improvement
upon them.
"The bill IS strongly endorsed by the
department commander of the Grand
Army. OF the District of Columbia; by the
last past department commander of the
same District: 10y the commsndeT-in-chi
OF the Grand Army OF the Republic: by
all the large maritime associations Of the
United States; by the principal boards Of
trade, cotton exchanges. produce and com
mercial exchanges, vessel masters assn
Citations. and by the press in every State
in the Union. as evidenced 10y several hun
dred editorial expressions which the com
mittee has received. Among these edi-
torials there are less thsn dozen dis
senting oplEions.
while allowing nominations to be made
by the Representatives of the people. the
III. saHnWN
admttance 10 the service. and such
rigid system of merit after the candidate
is once appointed. a. 10 command the
support OF nearly all classes Of people who
believe in an honest, economical and cfii-
cient admiEisiralion of public oriice..'