The Washington times., 1902-07-11
MAY INCREASE The
TEMPORARY FORCE
Ruling Regarding Clerks in
War Department.
Comptroller Tracewell Decides That
Employment May Be Given While
Appropriation Lasts.

An important decision regarding the
status of temporary clerks in the War
department was rendered yesterday by
Mr. Tracewell, Comptroller of The Treas
ury. In letter directed to the Comp
troller, the Secretary of War requested
the formers decision on the following
questions.
Il. May this Department increase its
additional temporary force without re-
gard to vacancies that may occur there
in so long as said appropriation Of
1896 AGO. Is not exhausted
"2. May this Department increase the
compensation OF any person who was on
April rs, 1902. transferred 10 the classi-
fed service. If there is no vacancy in
higher grade TO which he Gan be
promoted? For example: II on April %,
1902. a person In the additional tempor-
ary force of this Department was re-
ceiving S1,2o0 per annum and no vacancy
exists in a higher grade, could the De-
sstion to 1.4O0 per annum. provided said
of 1886, 400 had not been
exhausted?
''3. Are persons who were in the clas-
sifed service prior to April rs. 1902.
eligible TO appointment under said ap-
preparation of 1896. 100 without regard
to vacancies that may occur in this de-
partments additional temporary force.
so long as said appropriation is not ex-
hausted?"
In answer to the above questions Mr..
Tracewell said. in part. as follows:
Il. The act of April IS, 1902, made an
appropriation of S596. 400 for continuing
the employment for a specific purpose
of an additional temporary force during
the fiscal year 1903. Within the limit
OF this appropriation you are authorized
to employ such additional force as shall
be necessary to carry out the object of
the appropriation without regard to va
cancies which may occur in the force
already employed by virtue of this and
similar legislation, having due regard
to the laws and regulations governing
appointment to the classified service.
''2 There is nothing IN the act which
,orbids an increase of compensation to
persons who on April 2s, 1892. were
transferred TO the classified service.
They were by the terms of the act
as OF the grade or rate of
belonging to them at the
late Of the act. but were made subject
to transfer, promotion, or removal the
same as other clerks and employees in
the classified service l do not think
that the word promotion as here used
necessarily implies a promotion to a
grade or rate of compensation arising
rom a vacancy, when it Is considered
hat you have authority under the gen.
-ral provisions of the act to create other /
grades or to iix ether rates of compen- |
sation within the limit of the appro- |
priation
''3. Having held that you are author
zed to employ within the limit OF the |
such additional force as
hall be necessary to carry out the OBJ
ect of the appropriation. it is not seen
Why persons who were In the classified |
iervice prior to April IS. 1902. are not
.ligible to appointment under the ap-
IL otherwise eligible to ap-
continent under the laws and regula-
ions governing appointment in the
Classified service. provided that their
is necessary in carrying
nut the object of the appropriation"