New-York tribune., 1901-08-19
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
ITS SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT SENT
TO THE PRESIDENT

The United States Civil Service Commission has
sent its seventeenth annual report the President
The report gives summary CT the work done dur
ing the report year. Conspicuous space is given to
discussion of the operation and effect of the
Presidential rules in force and 20 their ad-
ministration. Investigations made OF Irregularities
and violations, and the difficulties experienced
and the suggested changes which experience shows
to be necessary. Ar interesting feature OF the
port Is brief history of the benefits derived by
the operation Of the Civil Service law since it's
enactment. and the coEnr ission's attitude and
policy set forth TO the greatest practicable
publicity concerning all matters connected with it's
work. brief review Of the recently enacted Civil
Service law in Philippine Islands is given. and
the commission repeats its recommendation for
tensions 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 3.
Eaton and Mark S. Brewer.
During the year 4G.763 persons examined of
whom 81 G25 passed. OF the number who passed
34437 for original appointment 10 the service.
of which s,SS9 were appointed. the largest number
appointed the classified service through
examination in any single year.
The commission states that much of the material
IT in the way of professional and scientific
registers of eligbles is wasted owing to the maxi
mum limitation of two years upon the period OF
eligibility. and recommends that il be vested with
registers beyond the period of two years up to-
certain limit. and under provisions which would
safeguard against abuse
The report calls attention 70 the large number OF
places in the Internal Revenue Service which are
excepted from the provisions of the Civil Service
rules. and expresses the belief that the best in
terests of the service require that at least all
deputy collectors serving at the headquarters OF
the district the exception perhaps of the chief
deputy. and also all deputies who have practically
trict. SHOULD be returned to the competitive class
fed service.
An argument is presented in favor OF fewer
ceptions in the service in general
Particular attention is called the matter OF
the payment of salaries 70 persons appointed in
and decisions of the Controller of the Treasury
cited 10 show that person who holds place
contrary the provisions of the Civil Service law
is not legally in the service. and should not be
recognized by disbursng officers of the government
being entitled to salary
As to investigation il - stated that owing to
the inadequate force OF the commission and ap-
preparation for the purpose. il has been pos
sible satisfactorily to make investigation and in
TO secure a fun observance of the law"
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
faction yet. taken as whole, there has been de-
cIded and gratifying Improvement IN this direction.
in those parts of the service which have been
longest under the operation of the law
Recommendation is again made that the pro-
visions Of the civil Service law be extended to in
clude the Library of Congress and the force the
government Of the District of Columbia, attention
being called to the recommendation of the District
commissioners this effect. Some systematic
plan for the employment of unskled Iaborers is
advised. whereby these places may be filed by per-
sons who competent and willing 10 perform
laborers' duties. and whereby the practice would
be discouraged of appointing persons to such places
and assigning them to clerical and other classIfed
duty.
1t is pointed that the work of the commission
will be necessarily materially increased account
of the extension of the Civil Service law and rules
10 Federal places in the islands of Hawaii and
Porto Rico. and also by the cTcer of the President
directing the commission 70 assist the Philippine
Civil Service Board upon its request in the matter
of holding examinations in this country and in
other