Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-05
PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF TINE
BOARD RECEIvED.


The first annual report OF the Philippine
civil service board received here I'm
Washington yesterday IL saws that the
civil service act passed before the organi-
Eats 1 OF the board. is so explicit that many
important questions which otherwise would
have arisen In the preparation OF the rules
were solved by the passage OF the act.
The act makes disloyalty to the United
States as the supreme authority OF the is-
lands a complete disqualification for hold
Ing office. Every one examined must first
take the oath OF loyalty. An amendment to
the act. made January &c last to take ef-
feet April 1, declares all persons in arms
against the United States in the Philip
pines. and all persons aiding or abetting
them. ineligible to hold office. A minimum
age limit Of eighteen years and maximum
OF forty years is fixed for the lower grades.
Ultimate Classification.
The act provides for the ultimate CLASH
fication of all positions in the service from
laborcrs TO heads of bureaus and Offices
aud the board Is empowered TO determine
the efficiency OF present and future gov
eminent employees The classification Of
policemen, firemen and guards at peni-
tentiaries and prisons has been postponed
until there fewer disturbing elements
In the islands. This is in line with the opin-
ION hl the HlltdIN EhNtltlot ttitA pres
ent system of selecting these employees be
not departed from. Owing TO the urgent
need OF securing teachers without delay,
and the large number required. these posi-
tions were excepted from the provisions
of the civil service act. IT is believed
that conditions I'm the near future viii
warrant their inclusion. The selection OF
skilled and unskilled lahorers has been
left to the heads of the several depart
ments or offices, with certain conditions as
to certifying the facts on which any re
movals may be based. While IL 10 be-
leVed that the board I'm time will find ~
advisabl TO accept applications for en-
poyment as laborers, and to subject APP
plicants to tests of fitness. Il is not .eeI
how, under existing conditions, this can
be done.
Fitness of Employees.
The question of certaining the fitness
OF employees now in the service will be
considered by the board at the earliest
practicable date. At the beginning Of the
civil administration, says the report, IL
is essential that the service should not bc
embarrassed by the presence of incompe-
tent employees. The act while giving pref
erence to natives and soldiers, still safe
guards the service by requiring that they
shall pass their examinations sufficiently
high to have their names certified for APP
pontment. The board says that natives
found to have the capacity for positions
now held by the Americans should be adj
vanced TO them rapidly practicable.
The Filipnos, the report says have apti-
tude and a desire for knowledge. The re-
port describes the civil service act as a
method to prevent unworthy persons from
securing admission to the service and 10
promote economy, efficiency and honesty IN
the transaction of public business, which
is desired in the future government Of
these islands. that the people may
have the fullest measure OF good govern
ment at the least expense to themselves"
The board invites suggestions at any time
from persons in the public service as well
as from unofficial sources.