Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-19
THE CIVIL SERVICE
Annual Report Of the Commission
Submitted.
EXAMINATIONS DURING TIE YEAR
Extension Of the Eligibility Limit
Recommended.
O T. III e r SUG ESTIO Ms
.AMIHlfIONS DURING TEE YEAR
9TH Err SUG ESTION

The United States civil service commits
sion has sent It's seventeenth annual report
to the President. The. report reviews the
work done during the year, and consider
able space Is given to a discussion of the
operation. and effect Of the presidential
rules now In force and to their administra-
ton. Investigations made OF Irregularities
and violations and to the difficulties expe-
rienced and the suggested changes which
experience shows to be necessary.
An interesting feature OF the report is a
brief history Of the benefits derived by the
operation Of the civil service law since Its
enactment, and the commissions attitude
and policy is set forth as to the greatest
practicable publicity concerning all matters
connected with its work. A brief review
OF the recently enacted civil service law In
the Philippine Islands Is given, and the
commission repeats its recommendation for
extensions Of the classified service, makes
strong argument for material increase of
appropriation for more adequate force of
clerks and examiners. and concludes with
appropriate expressions upon the death of
former Commissioners Dorman B. Eaton
and Mark 8. Brewer.
Examined During the Year.
During the year 46,763 persons were ex-
who passed 34,437 were for original ap-
pointment to the service, Of which number
1850 were appointed, the largest number
ever appointed to the classified service
through examination in any single year. In
the past three years q, 316 persons have OBJ
tanned their appointments through the ex-
amfnations provided for by the civil service
rules, while for the period beginning July
10, 1883. the date when the civil service act
became operative. and terminating June 80,
1900, total Of 1891 persons have been
thus appointed. Exclusive Of the railway
mail and Indian services, the number of
removals of persons appointed to the gov
eminent service through the commission
has been only 6S-1OO Of per cent per an
mum. The efficiency Of persons appointed
through the commission has been shown by
this, and the fact that 80 per cent of those
they certify and who are given probation
airy appointments are at the end of six
months given permanent places
Extension Of Eligibility Limit.
The commission states that much Of the
material 1t secures in the way Of profess
sional and scientific registers Of eligibles
Is wasted, owing to the maximum umita-
ton Of two years upon the period Of eligi-
bility, and recommends that 1t be vested
with authority to further extend eligibility
on such registers beyond the period Of two
years up to a certain limit and under pro-
visions which would safeguard against
abuse.
An argument is presented in favor Of
fewer exceptions to appointment through
the commission.
The report states that while, Of course.
there Is by no means an entire absence OF
irregularities and violations Of the law and
rules, and that while the system Is not yet
working with entire satisfaction yet taken
as a whole, there has been q decided and
gratifying Improvement In this direction.
the Improvement naturally being most con-
anti I'm ~ nf hn y{no
which have been longest under the opera
ton Of the law.
Political Assessments.
Upon the general subject Of political as
sessments the commission says:
''Since the passage OF the civil service act
the growing infreQuency Of attempts to
levy political assessments or solicit contri-
buttons from federal employees In violation
OF the law has been particularly crafty
ing. The efforts Of the commission
and the heads Of departments to inform
the government employees Of these provis-
ions Of the law and rules to secure their
enforcement have no doubt done much to
discourage attempts to collect political as
sessments. The aggregate salaries
of the positions now in the classified serv-
Ice. numbering about $4,000. and to be
reached only through competitive examina-
lions, approximate $75.OO0.OOO per annum.
while the salaries Of all unclassifed posi-
lions in the executive branch of the gov
eminent, probably numbering slightly over
100000, are estimated not to exceed Sc, Co.,
600, Of which over 90 per cent Is for the
compensation Of the 4.429 presidential post
masters and the ~, 1875 postmasters Of
fOurth-ciass Offices"
Speaking Of the efficiency Of persons GER
tilted for appointment by the commission
the report says:
TT has been estimated that not less than
$lO.OOOOo per annum have been saved in
the salaries OF government employees as a
direct result Of the enforcement Of the
civil service act"
Recommendation Of Extension.
Recommendation n again made that the
provisions Of the civil service law be ex-
tended to include the Library Of Congress
and the force In the government of the
District Of Columbia. Some systematic
plan for the employment of unskiIled labor
ers Is advised, whereby these positions may
be filled by persons who are competent and
whereby the practice Of appointing persons
to such positions and assigning them to
clerical and other duty in the classified ser
vice would be discouraged. It Is pointed
out that existing laws should be so amend
ed as to provide for corps Of pension ex-
aiming surgeons to take the place Of the
present local boards, such surgeons to be
appointed under the provisions Of the civil
service law. An argument Is presented to
show that the interests Of the service re-
ouire that Indian agents should be ap-
pointed upon some system of ascertained
merit and qualification A plea Is made to
Congress for a larger appropriation to
meet the increased needs Of the commits
sion.
Falls Church News.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star