Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-08
A NEW CODE OF RULES
Adopted by the Civil Service
Commission.
EFFECTIVE APRIL Is
RULES NOW BROUGHT DOWN TO A
POSITIVE SYSTEM.
Members Are Proud of Their Work,
for All Rules Are Con-
cisely Given.

On April 10 the new code of rules adopted
for the civil service of the United States
becomes effective. The announcement that
the codtfication Of the rules of the civil
service had been completed was made by
the civil service commission several days
ago. but at that time no indication was
given as to the reason for this codification
or what changes were made In existing
rules. 1t will be remembered by those who
have observed the progress of the civil
service during the past twenty years. espe-
cfally since the establishments of the civil
service commission. that the rules which
governed the service were promulgated
from time to time with no seeming relation
to one another. Each rule that was pro-
mulgated after the first set of rules was
lsSueo was brought out to meet a certain
condition or situation, and 1t did not seem
to bear any relation whatever to any Of
the other rules. except that which was
absolutely necessary: 1t will be seen, there
Tore. as the difficulties of the commission
Increased. and more and more situations
of more or less delicate character were
continually coming up. multiplicity of
rules would result which. while far reach
ing In character. made 4 very large volume
and were not stated In the terSe, concise
manner the situation seemed TO warrant
1t therefore became necessary to codify
the rules that had been issued 80 that
clear and distinct statement of the laws
governing the civil service might be within
reach of every one and in language not
easily misunderstood. A force of trained
clerks was put to work, and the code that
will go into effect April Is was evolved
This code is considered remarkable for
several reasons. The most distinctive char
acteristic, however. Is the brevity with
which the rules are expressed. The entire
code contains not more than $500 words,
divided into sixteen rules sections. Each
rule or section relates to some particular
situation In the civil service with q clearly
stated precept for It's government This is
the first time since the establishment OF
the civil service commission that the rules
have been brought down to any sort OF
system. and the members OF the commits
sion are very proud of their work. They
state that there are $1,000 people in tine
District of Columbia alone who are vitality
interested In the rulings of the commission
and just what the government of the civil
service means. For the benefit of these
persons a copy of the rules has been
secured by The Star and is published. By
permission Of the civil service commission.
follows:
In the exercise of power conferred by the
Constitution, by section 1853. r. s., and
by the civil service act Of January 16, 1883,
the President .promulgates the following
rules in lieu of those promulgated May 6,
1896. and the amendments thereof:
Rule I-PoHtics and Religion.
1. No person in the executive civil service
shall use his official authority or Influence
for the purpose of interfering with an cleo
ton or affecting the result thereof.
2 No question in any form Of application
or in any examination shall be 80 framed
as to elicit Information concerning the 20
htical or religious opinions or affiliations
of any applicant. nor shall any inquiry be
made concerning such opinions or affilia-
tons, and all disclosures thereof shall be
discountenanced No discrimination shall
be exercised. threatened or promised by
any person In the executive civil service
against or In favor OF an applicant eligible
or employe In the classified service because
of his political or religious opinions or af-
filiations.
g. No recommendation of an applicant.
eligible or employe In the competitive serv-
Ice involving disclosure of his political
or religious opinions or affiliations shall be
considered or filed by the commission or by
any officer concerned in making appo,nt-
ments or promotions.
Rule Reconsideration of the Service,
1. The classified service shall include all
officers and employees in the executive civil
service of the United States. heretofore or
hereafter appointed or employed. in posi-
tons now existing or hereafter to be Gre
ated OF whatever function or designation
whether compensated by a fixed salary or
OTHERWISE except persons employed merely
as laborers. and persons whose appoint
ments are subject to confirmation by the
Senate; but no right of classification shall
accrue to persons whose appointment or
assignment to classified duties is in viola
ton of the civil service rules.
=. No person shall be appointed en-
ployed. promoted or transferred in the
classified service, or perform the duties of
any position therein. until he passes an ex-
animation in conformity with these rules,
unless specially exempted Hereunder
s. Appointments to the excepted positions
named in schedule Of these rules may be
a a ,iy,of TOW,
competitive examination; but the proper
appointing officer may fill an excepted posi-
ton as competitive positions are filled, in
which case the person appointed will re-
ploye.
4. A person appointed without competi-
tive examination under section 3 of this
rule shall not be assigned to the work of a
of the commission.
5. LabOrers who. In connection with their
usual duties. are to perform work of the
grade performed by classified employees
commission from appropriate registers of
elig1bies In the manner provided by these
rules: and person employed merely as a
laborer or workman without examination
under these rules shall not be assigned to
work Of the grade performed by classified
employees -. 49, =
6. A person holding a position when II
becomes classified and subject to compett-
rights
which he would acquire II appointed there
to upon examination under these rules. ex.
cept that he shall not be transferred With
out first passing the examination provided
by the commission: and no person who haa
been appointed in any post Office within
three months prior to the classification
thereof shall be transferred to q position
of carrier within six months after such
classification. -s =
Z. On the date OF establishment of the
free delivery system in any post once
these rules shall apply to it's officers and
employees in the same manner as they apply.
to those In existing free delivery offices.
and the Postmaster General shall promptly
notify the commission of all orders for such
establishment
8. Whenever a post Office Is consolidated
with one which has city free delivery any
regularly appointed officer or employee of
the Office discontinued. II he has actually
served continuously therein during the six
ty days next preceding such consolidation.
or II he was appointed through competitive
exam1nat ton. may become classified en-
ploye of the other Office
D.. Whenever the separate office of Indian
agent shall be discontinued in any agency
and Its duties devOlved upon the sunerin
tendent of the training school, the agent
may be made a classified employee OF such
school or agency upon such test OF fitness
as may be determined upon by the Score