The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-13
The Real Department Clerk

Sweeping charges, accompanied by no
evidence, have more
than once been made. Perhaps as
conspicuous an instance as any IS in
this quotation from William Allen
Whites article in the September
number of McClures magazine en-
titled Roosevelt and the Postal
Frauds"
Another thing blinded the Presidents eyes,
and that is the spirit Of life in the city OF
Washington. It Is the hot-nouse OF petty
grating. OF the 1900 ofioeholdrrs in the
town, not 500 look upon their Offices as sacred
trusts 10 the people. Anything which the
mass Of Washington oficcholders can get out
Of the Government is regarded by public
opinion among them as clear gain, whether IL
be an hours time OF a railroad pass for be
traying the Governments interest in matters
under their care. The man who IS making
easy money of the Governmental he Is
not actually taking the money out Of me Till
is looked up 20 with a kind Of envious respect
Machen and Beavers were therefore, little tin
gods Official Washington knew their power
and presumed they were stealing, and official
Washington honored them"
Similar charges are made by Champ
Clark, a member of the House of
Representatives from Missouri, in
recent number of the Saturday
Evening Post"
The mischief which might follow
the failure to contradict such as
sertions as these is evident.
These charges of Mr.. White, Mr..
Clark, and others, when trimmed
to the bone are that the spirit of life
in Washington is the spirit of petty
grating; that the mass of clerks in
the departments are not only ready
to steal, but willing to sell them
selves for such insignificant pay as
an hours time or a railroad pass;
and that the thief of large measure
among them is viewed with approval
and "honored' by his less daring as
sociates.
No one OF these detractors has Of
fered the slightest proof that these
10000 clerks in the executive depart
ments are moved by a spirit of petty
grating" So far that charge is en-
tirely without support. Machen and
Beavers were undoubted grafters and
the disclosure of their operations
awoke the most intense indignation
OF all their associates in the Govern
ments service. II was another officer
of the Government who exposed them
when once the investigation was or
dered, and his every step was made
with the help of the very clerks whom
Mr.. White would have US think gave
the thieves honor" No one who is
honest enough TO make an inquiry
through the departments will doubt
for a moment that these clerks-far
from regarding Machen and Beavers
with "a kind of envious respect
look upon them and upon all other
thieves with the contempt held for
such malefactors by all good citizens.
Nor are the clerks to be bought
by an hours time or a railroad pass.
Even the virtual reduction in their
salaries effected by the addition OF
half an hour to their wOTk-day has
not lessened their interest. AS far
as the eye can tell the mass OF the
clerks work diligently from 8 O'Clock
until 4:3O, and if Mr. White and Mr.
Clark had but taken pains to inquire
they might have learned of hundreds
who work hours overtime without
any other .rccompense than the Enowl-
edge that their desks are up"
The Times has cited facts which
are within the knowledge of everyone
at all well acquainted with conditions
In the department service. They car
be verified by any fair inquiry TheJ
will be indorsed by every official whC
is not a spokesman, whether in tn
! House OF Representative or out Of it
But there is other proof.
OF the 10000 Government employs
who live in Washington. about half
according to the civil service records
have obtained their positions through
competitive examination. In ever!
such case the applicant has proven
his mental ability and established hi'
character. In many cases he has oh
tanned his appointment through su
periority over a thousand contestants
! Perhaps a fair average would be tina
he proved himself the best man or
of ten. OF those not admitted through
competitive examinations the major
i ity have held over from the days o
the spokesman. BY the gauge of hon
est work diligently performed the.
have also proven themselves sUperio
10 the average workman Of their owl
grade In private life. And the grea
majority OF such employees as still re
n main TO be accounted for are laboreTs
Il Drones there are and shirks, un