The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-10
Many Good Positions Go
Untitled While the Public
Mind Is Occupied With
investigations and Dis
missalS.
CIVIL SERVICE LAW
APPARENTLY IGNORED
Clerks Seek Promotion in
Spite of Legal Prohibit
tions-Chiefs to Be Made
From Within the Depart
ment.

Vacancies in the Postoface Depart
ment are attracting the attention OF the
politicians So much excitement has
been caused by the investigations and
tho public has been so busy discussing
the revelations and arrests that the
fact that there are important positions
10 be filled has been lost sight of to
some extent by oil except the politicians
and office holders who think that they
may have a chance to step into some
one else's shoes.
But while the public has been I'M
mindful Of the holes to be plugged, per-
sons with axes TO grind have not, and
there has been a great deal OF wire
pulling by influential individuals with
strong pulls and strong wires.
Among the open positions are those Of
superintendent of the division Of salar-
les and accounts, chief OF the division
OF free delivery, superintendent Of city
delivery, chief Of the money order d.
vision. and several minor places vacant
because of the changes in personnel of
the chiefs.
Law is Forgotten
civil service rule forbids an en-
ploye OF the Government from using
political or other influence or soliciting
the same IN order TO obtain promotion.
but in the general scramble to better
their condition a number OF oficehold-
ers who are applicants for the chief
ships have overlooked or disregarded
the regulation. They have been busy
telling friends next the throne Of their |
ambitions, and incidentally telling these
friends that in the future they would |
like to sign their names chief instead |
Of subordinate. Human nature in the
pursuit OF office is always pretty much |
the same. and these ambitious persons |
have not failed to show the friends on
whom they set so much store that the |
application is worthy OF consideration |
because OF political popularity and past
favors conferred.
All this soliciting OF influence Is con-
trary TO law. and is liable TO cause the
solicitors more or less trouble should
the tide of fortune go against them.
But some OF the applicants are becoming
so bold that they take little or no pains
to conceal their work.
One Applicant Sat Upon.
Besides those who base their claims
simply on political pull, there are a
number of employees of the Government
who honestly think that they are per
fectly qualified to introduce reforms into
the methods OF the divisions, and in
crease the efficiency OF the department.
For that reason they lay their claims
before men who. they hope. Will be IN Z
position TO help them
A curious case OF the kind is that OF
an official in the Treasury Department,
who has for years made a special study
OF the administration OF one Of the
financial divisions IN which a cbiefship
is now vacant. He studied the subject
At first merely as 4 Hobby and without
any serious expectations Of ever getting
control of the division When the va
cancy occurred he thought that he might
be selected to I'LL 1t.
He went to one Of the leading postal
ofhctRls. explained his ideas, told how
well qualified he was TO do the work.
and asked for the Job. The Treasury
enthusiast was told frankly that under
no circumstances would he have a
chance, that while he might be up on the
subject theoretically. there were men in
the postal service who mad spent many
or the division. and that one OF those
men was entitled to the promotion.
From Within the Department.
This answer to the Treasury man is
taken as evidence that the vacancies
Will be filled by promotion from within |
the department. The answer is a Sc
we're blow 70 a number OF politicians and
their favorttes. for there are several |
very highly Endorsed applications from |
outsiders for each vacancy. There |
has been some talk OF removing the DO
sition OF chief OF free delivery and /
chief OF salaries and allowances from 4
the civil service regulations In order /
TO permit the appointment of outsiders 4
who would institute reforms and do /
away with the evils that have besn ex- /
posed by the Investigations.
The plan 10 make the exception has /
been violently opposed by men who l
have the best interests of the service 1
st heart, and IL they have their way
employees who have been for years work /
ing for promotion will be given an op-
poTtuntty TO demonstrate their abilities |
G. n. Waters, superintendent of the
Denver ONCE OF the division or salaries |
and allowances. has been acting chief l
Of the division since George w. Beavers
resigned so hurriedly. Mr.. Waters has !
had wide experience IN the division, il
an able accountant. and was for long
time a postofhce inspector.
He has had an enormous amount of
work 10 do, and has done It successful
~.
He not only had 10 attend 20 the great
volume OF routine business, but had to
prepare the annual statement Of the Of
nee for the end Of the fiscal year on
June 30. ell Of which was in addition to
hNa IL "a - -. Z
the division as they We're left by
Beavers. revising the list of promotions
and outlining a policy for the future
conduct OF the ONCE. DR.. Charles T.
Raneheld, who has been assistant su-
perintendent OF the division for several
years. has ably assisted Mr. Waters. and
there Is e general desire IN the depart
meat TO see one OF these two get the