The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-25
Important Notifications in
the General Rules.
TO GO INTO EFFECT APRIL IS
Embraces All Government Employees
Except Laborers or Those Subject to
Confirmation by the Senate.

The President has approved revision
OF the civil service rules. to take eff
feet on April Is next The revised
rules are only about half long as
the present rules. their provisions more
systematically arranged and the
language is simpler and more concise.
The number of places excepted from
examination has been reduced omit
ting a large number OF private secre-
taries and confidential clerks, shipping
commissioners. various superintendent.
engineers, examiners. and miscellaneous
positions which experience has shown
can be better filled by promotion or
transfer within the classified service.
In the new Department of Commerce
there are no exceptions at all, save
two private secretaries who are allow
81 TO all heads Of executive depart
ments.
The revision has the effect Of extend
ing the classified service to all posi-
tions which are subject to classification
under the civil service act. The first
rules adopted in 1888 classified nearly
$4,000 positions. and from time to time
extensions OF classification have been
about 112. 500 positions were subject TO
competitive examination. The revision
extends the classified service still fur
Their, TO all positions not excluded by
the law itself. The new limits OF the
classified service Will embrace all po-
sitions which, on the one hand. are
not mere laborers or workmen. and on
the other. are subject TO confirmation
by the Senate.
Only Important Exceptions.
The only large group OF positions
which will not hereafter be subject TO
the competitive system OF examinations
are the diplomatic and consular services.
the government OF the District OF Column
bia. employees OF pcstoffces not having
free delivery, and fourth-ciass postmas-
ters
Those places which are In the excepted
list may only be filled without examina-
tioI when the conditions OF good admin
istration at the time require competi-
tion to be waived Under the existing
rules exceptions were absolute: but
under the new rules. while certain posi-
lions are specified in the schedule OF ex-
cepted places, the appointing officer is 70
decide in each case. on the occurrence OF
a vacancy in an excepted position
whether it shall then be filled by com
petitive or noncompetitive examination
or without examination.
The age limits are no longer fixed by
rule. but are to be fixed by agreement
with the appointing officer. The term OF
eligibility OF one year formerly might
be extended to a second year. The new
rnfa oil ~ oil OF In
the discretion OF the commission. in the
case of experts. for instance, IL is some
times inexpedient to hold a new exami-
nation.
Temporary Appointments.
Temporary appointments Will be re
stricted both in number and duration
Persons in competitive positions in the
Philippine service who have served
three years may be transferred to the
service in this country. Persons dropped
by a reduction OF force specifically re-
quired by law could formerly be rein
stated without regard TO the time limit
OF one year. This Is no longer permitted
and such persons will hereafter be eligi-
BILE for reinstatement only for one year
following their separation from tho
service. as in the case OF all other per
sons
A number Of minor changes have beer
made which are all in the direction o
strengthening the merit system and clos
ing the back doors to the competitiv,
servicc. The revision was submitted q
tine neads OF the executive department.
several months ago. and many OF th'
changes are due TO their suggestions.
Commissioner FouIke Explains.
The following interview in regard Z,
the new rules was had with Commits
sioner Foulke.
What are the things which have beer
omitted from the old rules IN your new
codihcation2
Well. in the first place We strucl
out a series Of definitions The word
defined were so plain that these ver,
not needed. In the next place there Wal
a long list OF the places included 10 al,
classified services. arranged In partlcu
lar branches. A few very simple word
IN the new rules accomplish this re-
suit:
The classified service shall include al
officers and employees IN the executive
civil service % the United States. here
tofore or hereafter appointed or employ
ed. in positions now existing or hereafte
TO be created. OF whatever function q
designation. whether compensated by
fixed salary or otherwise. except person
employed merely as laborers. and per
sons whose appointments are subject G
confirmation by the Senate: but no RICH
OF classification shall accrue 10 person
whose appointment or assignment &
classified duties is in violation Of IN
civil service rules
THAT brings in everything which IN
law authorizes Us TO classify. and thei
we except from examination places &
which examination does not appear Q
be applicable. These exceptions are al
embraced in schedule attached TO III
rules
Exceptions in One Schedule.
In the old Jules there were tw
classes or exec ms. one called except