New-York tribune., 1904-08-09
NJ MICHAEL REPRIMANDED
Ci1I SerUice Regulations Violated an
PhiLadeLpRia Postofce.

Washington. Aug. s.-The President to-day ap-
proved the report Of the Civil Service Commission
Phnadephia be reprirlanded. as the result OF the
investigation OF the charges fled by Robert B.
jerks. secretary Of the Civil Service Reform AS
sociation OF Philadelphia, alleging political dis
| elimination in Mr.. McMichael's selection Of en-
ployes
The charges which Mr.. jerks made were framed
in formal complaint about three weeks ago. and
the investigation, which was Immediately ordered,
the report says. showed that exactly % per cent OF
the eligbles resulting from the register for clerks
and carriers appointments In November, 1903, had
been certified three times and not appointed. In
the twelve largest postOfces exclusive of PhiladeI
phia, the average percentage of those certified
three times and not selected was only G. The post
masters have the right to pass two out of every
three names certified for appointment. but the com
mission regarded the fact that so much larger
number passed over at the Philadelphia post
office than elsewhere suspicious. Mr.. Wana-
maker. examiner, of the commission, was sent
TO Philadelphia. took the statements of twenty-sx
persons who had been certified and whose names
were rejected, and found that small proportion of
them were Republicans, and that none Of them had
secured Endorsement from any prominent Re
publican which had been transmitted to the post
master. Commissioners Cooley and Greene on Au-
gust @ in Philadelphia, examined those selected,
and found that of forty mine of them selected
at random Sc per cent were either Republicans or
had secured Endorsements from prominent Repub-
hcan politicians, and in nearly every case from the
Republican leader Of the division or ward in which
the appointee lived. Some OF those rejected the
report adds. told By the postmaster that their
names had been passed by because they were not
known recommended TO him.
Postmaster McMchaeI, when called by the
commission. says the report stated that he had
appointed man who was not known to him or
recommended to hiE:; that the Republican ward
leaders were IL the habit OF calling at his office
and recommending tne appointment Of varioui
persons from the eligible register lie further sa!1.
however. that he had accepted recommendations
from any reputable citizen"
The commission. in its report, recommended:
First-That the postmaster at Philadelphia
should De reprlmanded ana informed that, although
the evidence ola not concluslVeIy show that ne
had personal knowledge of state of affairs dis
closed by the inNesLgatlon. II was his duty 10
keep himself informed OF matters connected with
the administration OF his ONCE as to render inn
possible anything OF importance occurring without
his knowledge.
second.-Taat in view of the manifest injustice
done the eliglhles who were certified three times
and not selected, their should be restored 10
the register and certified for vacancies hereafter
existing at the Philadelphia postoHCe.
Third.-That the postmaster should be informed
that while he had a right To reject two OF every
three certified this right strictly limited
by Sections and Of Rule !. which forbid all
political discrimination
Fourth.-ThaI the postmaster should be Informed
that the fact that a person had passed civil
service examination, and within reach of GER
tihcation gave that person a prima facie right
the appoint tment, and that his her should
be passed only for reasons affecting the efficiency
is on the appointing officer TO show some reason
for passing over the name Of such eligible.
The President has approved the recomnenda tons
Of the commission and has written a letter the
postmaster instructing him 10 govern himself
cordingy.