The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-14

rid OF the incompetent by declining to
reappoint. Thus there would be n dou-
bic influence ut work to rid the service
OF undesirable rersons-the Congress
man anxious to make an appointment,
and the chief anxious to increase the
efficiency OF his force.
Might Get Better Men.
Under the existing laws a clerk has to
start in at $780, and that is not sufficient
to attract the attention of able men.
especially when their homes are far
from Washington. The result is the
persons who apply for Government jobs
in the classified list are young fellows
just out OF college or country schools
and teachers who are informed on book
subjects. but have never had the energy
to go out and fight the battle Of life
in more strenuous surroundings than the
schoolroom. The man Of push ard en-
erey. the man who docs things and has
done things, is not enticed into the Gov
eminent service because of the low sal
airy and slow promotion.
Men should be examined for the po-
sition for which they apply. When
knowledge along that line is not es-
sentiaI to the discharge of the duties of
the Office. a man should not be qUes-
toned on his acquaintance with the
views of the classic philosophers or the
details Of ancient history. The exam
nation should be conducted by the man
whom he is to serve, and after tho
period OF probation the chief would
know whether or not the employee was
suited to his position.
SupeTannuated Employees.
Superannuated employees would be
eliminated by the limited appointment
plan. and the departments would not
be burdened with employees who not
only do not help the work. but re-
tard II by delay ing an interminable
length of time over assignments which
more competent or younger men could
I'LL in half the time
An instance of the effectiveness of
the service when relieved of the burden
of those who think they have HE Jobs
and cannot be displaced is furnished by
the Record and Pension Division OF the
War Department. The work of the Of
fee was nine months behind. and s41e
President gave Colonel Ainsworth carie
blanche TO go ahead and do as he
pleased just so he brought the work To
date. He began by dismissing 500 clerks.
without empioying others in their place.
In ninety days he brought the work to
date and then he dismissed 200 more
clerks. Since then the work has been
kept UP to date, and now letter re-
ceived there in the morning is answered
in the afternoon
Black Is an Example.
a point on which the anti-civil service
members are laying special stress is the
appointment of General Black TO the
place on the Civil Service Commission
vacated by the death of Mr.. Proctor.
They complain that a few years ago
Mr.. Black asked the House TO give him
q pension OF 500 month on the ground
that he was so entirely physically dis
abied because Of his wounds that he
could not earn a living, yet the Presi-
dent has appointed him one Of a COM
mission of three men under whom come
the expenditure of more than $50, 0Oo, 600
One member said this morning that Il
General Black were capable of holding
such an important position, he shoulC
not be allowed the pension granted him
because he asserted he could not carr
a living, and If the duties OF the place
We're beyond his abilities he had nC
earthly reason for expecting confrma-
ton by the Senate. f 80 a-F