The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-11
Committee Instructed to Amend the
Measure by Providing the Merit
System for Employees.
FREE MAIL FOR MRS. MKINLEY
WIDOW OF THE LATE PRESIDENT
GIVEN FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
Work of House and Senate Commit
tees-Bill Providing a Salary
for Ex-Prestdents.
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-The House
spent the day considering the Hopkins
bill to create a permanent census bureau.
While the general sentiment was in favor
of permanent bureau, there was strong
opposition to the bill as drawn on the
ground that ii was not well matured. There
also was an Overwhelming demand for
provision to place the present employees
of the Census Bureau under the protection
Of the civil-service law, and the bill finally
was recommitted with instructions to re-
port back a bill containing a plan for
sus bureau to include also a provision
TO place the present employees under the
civil service.
The fight to recommit was made under
the leadership of Mr.. Burkett. of Nebras-
ka, the new member Of the appropriations
committee. When it was taken up Mr.
Hopkins said that General Francis A
Walker, superintendent of the ninth and
tenth censuses and Mr.. Porter, superinten-
dent OF the eleventh census, as we'll as
the present director, united strongly in
recommending il on the ground that it
would not only decrease the cost. but would
increase the value Of the results.
In reply to questions Mr.. Hopkins said
that $3.50 clerks had been employed in
the bureau, 200 still being employed If
the pending bill passed. he said. the force
would be reduced this year to 500; next year
TO 100; in 1905 to 240, and thereafter. until
1910 to 300 He was besieged by mem
bers who wanted 10 know the status OF
the present clerks in the event of the
passage OF the bill He said that if the
bill passed il was hoped the other de-
ah he
porary clerks. They could be placed under
the protection of the civil service and
transferred to other departments. If the
bill were promptly passed the temporary
clerks by executive order, could be made
eligible for transfer.
Mr.. Crumpacker. of Indiana, favored the
passage of the bill, which. he argued, would
be the first step toward putting The census
upon a scientific and logical basis.
When the bill was opened TO amendment
Mr. Hemenway of Indiana offered an
amendment 10 provide that persons now
employed i'm the Census Bureau not in
Guiding janitOr, shall be eligible 10 appoint
ment in other departments without ex-
animation or certihcation by the Civil
service Commission upon the reCommen-
dation OF the head of such department
Mr.. Mann opposed the amendment be-
cause il placed time limit upon the
eligibility OF employees. The Hemenway
amendment was adopted without division
Mr.. Burkett then moved that the bill
be reported TO the House with the recon-
mendation that IL be recommended with
instructions TO report back a substitute
a bill providing for the detailed organiza-
tion of a permanent census bureau. ano
with "A provision therein TO place the pres
ent employees of the bureau within the
classified service.
MIR Hopkins attempted to secure the ayes
and nays on the motion to recommit, but
only thrty-eight members seconded his
demand-not a sufficient number. The mo-
tion 10 recommit was carried.
Mr.. Bromwell, of Ohio. secured unani-
nous consent and the House passed a