Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-27

FROM the age limits for appointment to the
positions Of messenger. Waterman and clerk
at the central Office in Washington. Dis
trtct of Columbia. are hereby waived.
After i've years satisfactory service mes
sengers and stenographers may be pro-
NOTED to the grade of observer ii they PASS
an examination including English Language
arithmetic. algebra and elementary meteor
ology, with an average marking of not less
than IS per centum and not less than Co
per cenfum In each subject; and IN like
manner. and after a like length of service,
any laborer. mechanic other employe
may be advanced.
Nomination of Applicant.
When senator or representative or dele
gate Is notified by the Secretary of Agri-
culture that an appointment is to be made
from his state. his district or his territory
he shall. within thirty days, nominate one
or more persons of sound physique and
good morals. who shall conform to the con-
ditfons prescribed in section D. He she or
they shall report to the civil service COM
mission for such physical and mental ex-
9minations as may be prescribed by the
commission after consultation and agree
-nent with the chief of the weather bureau
Failure to pass the physical examination
mall exclude the candidate from participa-
.lon IN tne mental examination. In order
70 pass, a candidate must attain an average
N 30 per centum In the mental examina-
ton and not less than 65 per ceptum in
| ,acn subject If more than one candidate
1
| given to the candidate passing with the
highest general average: If no one of the
| candidates pass. the senator representa-
| tive or delegate shall be SO notified and
equeSted to again nominate one or more
| andidates; If none of these pass the an
| po1ntment shall go to the next senator rem
| resentatiVe or delegate in proper order.
| candidate shall not be examined a second
| time.
| Probationary Appointments
l The successful candidates Sb,1,
| probationary appointments for one year
| during which. time they may be removed
| II, in accord with the Recommendation of
| the chief of the weather bureau the Secre-
| tary OF Agriculture is of the opinion that
| they are not suited to the work of the
weather bureau; but in case of the removal
| OF probationary appointee the same SEN
/ atof. representative or delegate Tor his sue
| cessor) who nomina ted the person removed
| shaii be called on to make nomina ton for
the vacancy thus created.
Reductions and DismfssaIs,
The bill provides regulations for reduc-
| ions and dismissals, upon charges; for
| promotion based entirely on merit" for
! temporary appointments for thirty DAYS,
| and says: THAT where the transaction of
| official business will permit without detri-
ment to the public service. the chief of the
| weather bureau may grant to employees not
! to exceed thirty days leave of absence
| with pay, and thirty days additional may
/ be granted in case of sickness; but moth
! ing In this act shall give any employee
| right to any portion of such leave if in the
| judgment of the chief of the weather bu-
reau, 1T be advisable to withhold the
| same
ing from the first grade. of $3.50 to s72U, to
| the ninth grade of $500 to $1,000.
| The bureau officials.
The weather bureau shall hereafter con-
! stst of chief. who has been or who shall
| be selected from the officials of the bureau
| of or above the seventh grade. and who
| shall hold office during efficiency and good
4, behavior. and receive annual salary Of
| 5000. and have been CT be appointed bv
| the President by and with the advice and
| consent or the Senate: an assistant chief
| who shall be appointed by the Secretary Of
Agriculture from the officials of the bureau
| OF or above the sixth grade, and who sha II
| receive S.JW per annum: a chief clerk
| who shall be appointed from the officials
| OF the bureau of or above the fifth grade
| ana receive $3.50 per annum: discussing
| officer. who shall be appointed from The
| offcials of the bureau of or above the
1 NTH grade, and receive 81 Oo0 nor anprro .
| a private secretary to the chief of bureau,
| VINO shall be appointed without regard tn
| apportionment or examination and receive
Sl,6OO per annum.
The proposed law is to go into effect
| July 1, next.
| Aims of the Bill,
| Chairman Wadsworth's report ON the hill
| says:
| me biii aims to accomplish three objects
| which are departures from existing law.
The other provisions of the bill are matters
| o. detail necessary to carry out the thre,
| primary objects of the proposed law These
| objects are:
| FIRST. The perpetuation by law of the
present rigid system of discipline and merit
| maintained in the weather bureau with a
iui.ner provision requiring that each APP
| poihtce or The weather bureau enter its
| lower grades and be subjected to such study,
and discipline as viii most effectively ouai-
ny MIN TO become useful public official
| ana permit him only TO advance so far as
| his merits demand and the needs of tha
| pubic service require. This system of merit
| TO extend from the humbest employe tn
the chief of the bureau. All Of the VALUABLE.
| features or the existing law have been re-
| taineu, While much has been added that will
insure greater efficiency in the bureau.
| second. The granting o. authority to the
| employees of the bureau to create exclusive
| ly from their own moneys a fund for the
| retirement Of disabled and aged officials
| tnlS 10 be accomplished without one don a =
OF Oh expense to the federal government, and
| III such e way that at no time in the future
| caf the federal government be called on to
, contribute IN any manner TO the fund
| MIRO: The apportionment under spe-
1 AeetA e'S " age ana mental and
| physical qualifications. of all appointments
| lmpartlally among senators, representa- tiyes
and delegates in much the same manner as
CADETS are nominated for appointment to
| west Point and Annapolis.
An Ideal Merit System.
| 1t is believed that the proposed bill VIII
| lhaugurate in the weather bureau an ideal
merit system. The aim is TO make ability
ard Industry the basis of promotion, and
to prohibit the. advancement of employees
! by means of political or other influence
which has proved SO demoralizing to the
| public service
| 10 briefly summarize the salient fea-
| lures or the proposed law it may be said
mat 1t apportions appointments among
| senators, representatives and delegates
without regard to their political faith and
| II provides that candidates shall be nomi-
| mated under such conditions as will render
II dinicult, If not impossible, to effect the
| permanent appointment or the promotion
| OF an unit person. 1t prohibits the use of
political or other influences to secure pro-
| motion or assignment. We believe that
| This measure properly co-ordnates the pre-
| negatives of Congress and the executive
| OfflcerS OF the government N he mo -