Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-24
OLD AGE NOT A BAR.
VIII Not Disqualify Applicants for Fed
eraI Positions.

washington. July 2s.-President
Roosevelt has issued civil service
order eliminating age from the dis
qualifications Of applications for posi-
riors on the labor rolls of the DEPART
nents of the government and the civil
service commission now has before il
for submission to the President the
question whether veterans of the civil
war shall not have preference in the
appointments from the registry list OF
Iaborers. II is expected that the uues-
ton of preference will be settled at an
early date Until this time it has been
impossible for veterans of the civil war
u get an appointment on the laborers'
rolls as the rating for age practically
disqualified them the handicap for a
man Of fiftv-six years of age being
about eighteen points. No matter how
we'll the veteran might stand in the
other ratings ne could not hope 10 make
a general average sufficient TO obtain
a position.
Judge Ivory G. kimbali commander
OF the Department Of the Potomac c.
A r.. is receiving the congratulations
of MS department on SO successfully
presenting the discrimination against
the old soldier TO the President and in
getting part of the disqualification re-
moved. As the matter now stands the
veteran is on the same footing as a
younger man in applications for labor
ers' positions. If Judge kin1ball sue
ceeds in mis- efforts TO have the veterans
given preference they viii stand so well
that many OF them will be able to
obtain places on the laborers' rolls OF
the government service.
Judge KiInball took the matter up
with the President in June. the situa-
ton having been discussed in G.. 4. r.
councils prior to that time Judge
kimbaII handled the matter so yigor-
ously and rointedly that the President
vas impressed and instructed the civil
service commission to take the matter
up Immediately for consideration, say
ing Disseminated against for age If he
Vas physically and otherwise qualified
10 perform the duties of the position TO
- filed. After giving the matter con-
sideration for several weeks the civil
service commission recommended, and
the President issued. an order rerlov-
ing the age rating if the applicant was
fully qualified physically to do the work
desired.
In taking the matter up with the
President Judge kimball pointed out
that the civil service order esta blish-
ing 2 registry list for laborers effec-
tlallv excluded from appointment
veterans Of the war of 1916 by reason
Of the fact that great reduction for
age was made. The general average
which determines the place Of an appli-
cant on the labor rolls of the Treasury
Department. for instance. is made up
by taking account of three things:
first, age: second. physical condition;
third industry and adaptabiIity. Ap-
p!icants from % years to 45 years Of age
are marked 100 for age. Each year
after forty-fve reduces his percentage,
until, at IS. his rating is only eighty
two. - ffty-four. the youngest pos
sible age for a soldier OF the civil war.
the rating is 81 for age. Younger men.
therefore. start with so much advan-
tage over veterans that the latter have
had no chance for A place
Judge Kimhail cited to the President
a particular case coming to his knowl-
edge 1t was that of Joseph Fought.
gallant soldier OF the civil war Fought
was in unusually good health and with
out wounds. He had been a buglar for
General Custer, who said OF him.
Joseph Fought is the bravest man Il
e"er saw: l would rather lose NY best
platoon than to lose him" Fought re-
peatedly tried to obtain a laborers
position, having worked in the Treas
uTy Department on temporary appoint
rrents. In September, 1902, his position
on the labOrer's list was eighty. be-
cause his age rating had been placed
at eighty-two. 1t was admitted by
treasury officials that he was physically
qu9lifiel to perform the work of nearly
and position in the laborer's force in the
department. but the regulations made
i impossible for him 10 get place.
Judge Kimball asked that no reduc-
ton he made on account of age, but
hat the sole qualification shall be the |
physical condition of an applicant and
Ms adartability to the work
AS to preference. Judge Kimball. it |
s stated in @. A. r. circles. has con-
ended at the civil service commission |
md elsewhere that the Presidents civil |
service order of January IL, 1892 giving |
preference TO veterans of the civil war
n all appointments applies to the case
# laborers as we'll as to all other ap-
The order of that date
vas general. applying to all positions
lnder the civil service. Laborers are.
n way. under the civil service. and
is claimed therefore should come
lnder the order of that date as to pre-
ercnCe. Should his contention in this