The Washington times., 1902-05-11
Mr.. FOULKB REFUTBS
CRITIC'SS..SEATEMENTS
Denies Allegations About
Civil Service EvaSions.
TAKES UP MANY INSTANCES
Cites Records to Disprove What a News
paper Says Regarding the Work of the
Commission and the Exceptions
Charged to Have Been Made.

Civil Service Commissioner Foulke has
addressed spirited letter to the editor
of the Newport Herald in answer to
charges contained in an article published
some time ago. alleging that President
Roosevelt, despite the fact that he is sup
posed to be stanch supporter of the
civil service regulations, had ordered
more places taken out of the classified
service during his short term than Presi-
dent Mckinley did in his term of Eve
years: that the records Of the Commits
sion show a large number of exceptions
ordered in the past six months, that some
of the positions thus filled have been re-
rules Immediately after the appointment
of the individual for whom the exception
was made; that there have been three
times as many appointments under Presi-
dent Roosevelt as under President Nc
Kinley by virtue of the rule excepting
from examination under certain circum
stances; that there have been a large and
unknown number of places filed without
examination. and that there is little to
boast of in the way of additions to
strengthen the civil service rules.
Mr. Foulke in his reply says that the
celebrated definition of the crab, "a small
red fish that walks backward''-a perfect
definition except that the crab was not
red, not fish, and did not walk back
ward was accuracy itself compared
with the allegations, and says that not a
single one of the statements made is cor
rect.
The Official Denial.
The President, Commissioner Foulke
says has not ordered single place taken
out of the classified service, and has spe-
officially excepted only ten persons out OF
the lis. COO or more plates in the classi-
fed service from the requirements of
examination And Mr.. Foulke adds, rath-
er sarcastically, that the places referred
to-the steward ofnthe White House,
coachman in the Navy Department. etc
might pass on their face without adverse
criticism. The particular case cited Of
the Assistant Commissioner of Immigra-
tion was the result, Mr.. Foulke says, of
serious dissensions and grave irregulari-
ties in that branch of the service, and 1t
was found necessaryto fill the places with
entirely new men instead Of by promo
ton.
Mr.. Foulke also says that 1t is Incorrect
that advantage is taken OF the rule which
permits exceptions to be made in posi-
tions which require ~ peculiar. qualifica-
tions or scientific or special attainments.
Only twenty-one such appointments were
made under this rule by President Nc
Kinley and only five so far by President
Roosevelt. Mr.. Foulke cites case in
point-that of n doorkeeper at the White
House-and says he thinks that when the
life Of the President may be said to be
at stake. 1t is important to have door
keeper with unusual qualifications. and
remarks that he ought to have power TO
except such a man, when found, from ex-
animation.
Put Into the Service.
In answer to the statement that the
civil service supporters have little TO
boast of in the way of additions to the
existing rules, Commissioner Foulke calls
attention to the fact that President
Roosevelt has placed in the competitive
service 1883 positions in the War De-
partment, and over 5000 positions in the
rural free delivery service. He has also
amended the rules so as to empower the
commission to take testimony in its in
vestigations; to hold up salaries in GER
tain cases: to enable temporary appoint
ments without examination; to enable the
duties of Indian agents TO be performed
by superintendents appointed through the
classified service; to restrict transfers to