The times., 1901-04-05


CivII Service system Discussed
With Mr. McKinIey-The Problem
Presented ny UnsIeiIied LnbOTers.
William Dudley Foulke, of Indiana, and
Richard H. Dana. Of Boston. represent
ing committee of the National Civil Ser
vice Reform League. saw the President
yesterday, in company with John JOY
Edison, in regard to civil service matters.
The League Will not antagoniZc COmnis-
sioner Rodenberg because of his action
I'm voting against the appropriation TO sus-
tain the commission. His name was Incl
dentally mentioned, however, at the con
ference yesterday.
The committee remained wsRh the Prssi-
dent for nearly two hours during which
time a large number Of matters pertain
ing to abuses Of the system and plans
FOR its Improvement were discussed. The
committee reported to the President upon
a Considerabl number OF individual cases
which have been carefully investigated
and will submit further data and details
concerning them i'm order that the Presi-
dent may be fully informed before taking
any action. The work is entirely volun-
tary on the part of the members of the
League. and is quite Voluminous. The pur-
pose of the organization is only to i'm
prove the efficiency of the service. TO see
that the law is enforced. and provide for
the protection of those employees Of the
Government who are upon the classified
lists
The League has inaugurated a move
ment which was urged upon the President
to include all unskilled laboreTs in every
department Of the Government under civil
service rules. The matter has been uu-
CON cid a-afipy, civil sorry reform
ers for some time and it is thought that a
very feasible plan has been devised. An
examination for the position Of unskilled
laborer would scarcely be practicable and
in consequence a scheme of registration
has been suggested. II has proposed that
all aspirants for such positions shall file
an application which shall be registered.
and all other things being equal vacancies
shall be filled by those first on the list.
The purpose of the plan is, however. that
preference in appointment shall be given
to married men over single men, To vet
Grams over those who have not been in
The service, and to those who have spe-
cial adaptation for the work to be re-
quired of them over those who have no
skill in such directions. Physical and
other qualifications are. Of course. 10 be
considered in al cases. BY this means il
Is expected that all positions of Unskilled
laborers shall be taken out of politics
and appointments made under the method
of first come first served.
The adoption of this plan would place
thousands Of men who are now obligated
To political influence for their positions.
under the classified service II is said
also that there are many men appointed
rs Unskillod laborers who. after their
special aGaptabilty Is discovered, are en-
ElOyed At clerical work. which Is a Vio- (
iatiOn Of the civil service rules. Il is ,
thought that this could he eliminated by I
1.,,
the civil service.
A plan very much similar TO that pro-
posed IS employed in Boston, where all !
common labOrerS. including street clean
Crs park workmen, lamp lighters and all 4
others are registered As soon as there (
is a vacancy an appointment is made from /
The first man on the list of applicants, /
provided he Is capable of performing the (
work required. The President expressed |
much interest in all that the committee ,
mad to say, and promised to give the Va
TouS matters due consideration.
u Is within his power to place ali mn
SklHed labnTers under the civil service 4
rules, IS proposed by the League, and I
although he made no promises in this I
respect yesterday. the members Of the /
committee were led to believe that they
VIII ultimately succeed in ACCOMPLISHING /
This Improvement in the service
The matter of placing fourth-class post
1laast~Is .liu t3hsuis under civil service
HltS : SIM being agltated by the fnem-
beFs ~ the League and oshsr4s interested
IN clFH service reform, and they conf
'iti-lit btileNe lhdl they VIII finally see
both oi these important branches OF the
service taken out OF politics These mat
icrs were not. however. touched upou at I
th- conference Yesterday.
hr- Edison said last night, however. /
that while The appointment Of Mr.. Ro-
arnheTE had been discussed during the (
conference, the committee had entered no
formal objection
Mr.. Rodenbere is certainly not the
man the League would have chosen" said ,
Ar. Edson. Our objection was mainly
due 10 the fact that he voted against an
for the maintenance of the
civil Service Commission. which Was suf- .
itclcnt evidence that he was not the proDer
man FOR the place OF Civil Service Com I
missioner The committee was given to
understand, however. that Mr. Eodeu- !
berg views have undergone complete
change and that there is no reason in /
Tact WIZ Ee should not be appointed
i he conference was not made FOR tho
purpose OF discussing the appointment
"Ed Tho matter was only mentioned in r /
general way. Knowing the President TO
le an ardent civil service advocate and
believing THAI ha would not appoint man
u the place for party or other reasons
Who was even lukewarm. we had decided
prior 10 the conference not TO protest
against mis- choice"