The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-22
NO PENSION FOR
FEDERAL CLERKS.
OPPOSITION TO A CIVIL LIST.
Commissioner Proctor Says Promo
fion for Merit Covers the
Ground-New Regulations
to He Suggested.

If any effort is made at the coming ses-
sion OF Congress to enact law providing
for the retirement CT Government clerks
it viii not meet with any encouragement
from the Civil Service Commission.
The Commissioner. have decided views
On the subject and arc not only opposed
TO the proposed civil pension list, as ad-
yoeated by number Of members Of Coz
sress last winter, but maintain that if
proper promotion regulations are enforced
in the departments the question of life
tenure would fall to the ground.
Views OF Sir. Proctor.
John r. Proctor, President CT the Civil
+ Service Commission, discussing the sub
jeet-of promotions In connection with a
civil pension, today said:
The Commission has frequently refer
red 10 the Importance OF providing suit
able regulations 70 govern the promotion
( or retention of employees, SO that the
question OF salary may be determined
solely by their qualifications and with
: out regard to political, personal, or other
/ considerations
/ Under a misrepresentation of the juris-
dictiOn of the Civil Service law and OF
+ the Commission, criticism is frequently
made against the operation of the law
after being relieved of the Importantly of
applicants for appointment are still sub
jected to the pressure for promotion Il
has been found that the greatest efforts
are usually eXeTted in behalf of those
who are the least worthy Of advancement
as they are conscious OF their own lack
Of ability and therefore feel the necessity
Of bringing extraneous influence to bear
. to secure promotions to which others are
more entitled by merit. It is due the Com
mission TO state that the enforcement of
promotion regulations must depend upon
the heads OF the departments and Offices
to which they have been applied.
Without doubt a very large number
OF promotions in all branches of the SER
vice are based solely upon merit, but It
is equally true that others are made
without just regard to the fitness Of
those who arc promoted
Merit and Promotion.
when an employees efficiency entities
him TO promotion, the regulations should
require that he be promoted as soon as
opportunity arises for his advancement
II be falls below the standard Of effi-
cheney fixed by the reguIa atoms, whatever
tie cause. ne should be reduced in grade
G. his services entirely dispensed with
$ may he thought best for the interests
# the service. Under the old patronage
SsSten Inc approximation OF an SInpiUEe
and the consequent impairment of his
usefulness rs q rule did not result in re-
dl elton or removal unless he was unable
10 muster sufficient influence 10 retain
his position.
Attention is called 20 the fact that
nearly. II not all of the superaBnuated
employees now in the service must have
been appointed before the passage Of the
Civil Service act. as the average age of
those entering the service through the
Commissions examinations is about thirty
years II VIII therefore be seen that the
bills which have been introduced in Con-
-gress for the establisEn Int Of retirement
funds are almost entirely Tor the benefit
OF those who entered the service before
classification.
The adoption of suitable rules To regu-
late promotions and reductions will il is
Believed, in a large measure prevent the
filing Of responsible positions by srper-