The evening times., 1901-07-23

the Civil Service rules over the District
Government But every President mas
taken personal interest IN The District,
and lh, press ut President having HSr1
so much Of mis- life in the District. - e~Ie-
eiaTIy -Tisudly 10 the District In every
way. and has done NOR for 1t than a,.L
other President since " Washington "ith
In" possible exception uf Grant
"lu the regular aoIi0iStF@lloll Nt "a
fairs OF tho District res Commissioners
hay, fer convenience divided tHtT "pIN
into three divisions. each comprising as
many apartments as one '"mIiiSSinleI
rau car only supervise changes o'iuE
r,7-tp tr 20 time tn time AS conditions re
/ ,rlIirr lder this plan each Commission
l rr directs certain departments and reports
( r--s.rl them To the others. all important
I rfrssrfonS being settled by the three Com
Z Trrs~-farr,.rS in Board meetings. which are
held as often as may be necessary Pub
I lie hearings are given 10y the ti.ll BnaIo
| whenever citizens desire. OF whenever the
/ Commissioners desire the views Of cit-
J The official list of District Government
affairs shows over ninety matters. large
and small. distributed among the three
1 Commissioners. The Engineer COamis-
SlDuer naturally Sup"TVlSeeS all the en-
/ RiIeerins work. including all matters as
/ to buildings and other constructions. side
walks. pavementS. paCkiugs- street and
/ steam railways. and also the important
! water department All duties not other
I wise assigned fall to the President OF the
Board. who is chosen by his associates At
/ the beginning Of each Administration IN
/ addition the President OF the Board -
! expected TO represent it on many Official
! occasions. and especially IN making al
! dresses of welcome to guests Of the DlS-
( JTiCt-
The great and constantly increasing
business Of the District Government keeps
the Commissioners continually busy. NOT
only at their Offices in the District Build
/ ing. or on their inspection tours through
out the District. but at times also at
their homes and OF course when Congress
IS in session at the Capitol.
An important duty which takes half
their time. is receiving callers bringing
advice complaints applications for ottlct'-
and requests of many kinds. Much of this
} time Is protita bly, spent for the CommiS-
siouers. knowing that the District is and
ought to be governed by public opinion.
welcome all suggestions from citizens
They desire and maintain close and
fTIcF 1ly relations with all oTSanlZa tons
Of citizens aiming 10 improve the District
f and they endeavor.in every possible way
. 10 learn the public viii But much OF the
. tine taken by applicants FOR employment
. under the District Is practically wasted.
. since applications IN writing answer eE-
cry purpose The Commissioners have ab-
soIute power Of appointment TO all offices
under the District Government. except
. the few filed by the appointment of the
President and those under the Board of
Z Education whose members are aaPpoint-
I eyi by the Commissioners
. They have not been able TO sex Jnt t4Eii
+ Service act extended over the DISTRICT
b Offices not wit taSfaEdIgC repeated efforts,
. which VIII he kept ~ But they have
maintained d merit system of appoint
.--.-- --sE fsra-7ntioD- They uatura!ly
want tha best they can get in making f'-
, naia1nlt nts and they Try 20 maintain
! hF-h sta u6ard- Good men are always Kept.
and there are few vacancies at any time
and none at most times When vacancies
occur all appropriate applications are
= carefully considered and the best app!i-
ctuts are appointed From l'" 20 -
persons call on the CommisS1ontrS pc
SauaE-y every day. as a rule besides many
more who are content to transact thelT
. business through The Secretary OT some
other official On some days an even
larger number CaH On the Commissioners
/ On an average ha'f Of them come to ask
for Offices for themselves OF their TRENDS
Al times II Is difficult for the Commission
cr- to attend 20 more important business
because of the calls of office-seekerS- whc
! irf most cases can lot nope TOF any Jil-ns
but sympathy