The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-21
PRESIDENT HASTY
IN NEW RULING
Friends Of E1vidge, Cause Of New
Civil Service Order, Criti-
else Roosevelt.
BY w. w. Jermane.

,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.--There is room
For belief that President Roosevelt may
possibly have erred in his recent amend:
ment of the civil service rules civ
inc himself and the members of his
cabinet the power of instant dismissal
from the public service over any en-
ployee caught red-handed in lapse
From duty. -. :, i,
The possible error lies in the fact that
the amendment seems to have been
made to permit the president to order
The Immediate dismissal of Walter S.
Elvidge of St. Paul, assistant messen-
ger of the bureau of standards, whose
truck automobile, It's claimed. got IN
the way of the president s carriage on
the streets of Washington a few days
ago. The assertion is made by Ell
vidge s friends that the dismissal was
made without due inquiry into the facts.
Elvidge says he is conscious of no Of
fense and that there are two sides to
the controversy. He thinks the presi-
dent s reputation for giving everybody
square deal' ought to be made good
In such a case. sT-~a@. i
Story Of the Affair.
He said again today that he did not
know the men on bicycles behind the
president s carriage were officers, and
he had no idea who was in the carriage.
According to the rules of the road, he
would have passed the carriage on the
left, lust as he did the wagon behind
the carriage, and on the right side of
the street near the curb, had not one of
the wheel riders motioned him to the
right side. Elvidge says he might have
misunderstood, as he did not catch all
of the words spoken, but he took it that
they meant for him to take the right
side in passing, which he did, turning
in ahead Of the wagon from the left
and going around the president s car
rage AS he was passing, however, he
says one of the riders called out to him
to stop, but having been subjected to
considerable "bullying' in his expert
ence with the machine, and not knowing
them or their connection with the car
rage, he told them it was none Of their
business and proceeded.
Used No Profanity.
Although Elvidge declares he does
not remember the exact words he said,
guage was strong and vigorous. 81 am
sure I used no oath nor any vile Ian
guage,' said he.
Elvidge says he went on about his
errand, put up his machine at the close
Of the day and returned the next morn.
ing at the usual hour. He did some
chores about the garage and was about
to take the machine out when he re-
ceived a message stating that he was
not to 60 to work that day, and that
evening he received formal notice of his
dismissal from the service.
Elvidge's home is in St. Paul, where
he passed the civil-service examination
'ast spring. Three months ago he came
TO Washington and was assigned to the
department Of commerce and labor and
made a driver Of an automobile be-
cause of his experience as an electri
clan. His salary was $720 a year. His
him only few weeks ago.
Looking to the Future.
81 was looking TO- the future when
entered the service,'7 said Elvidge. ~
was getting along we'll enough as al
electrician, but [ realized that even if
had to start in at less money, there
was good and assured future in gov
eminent work, promising better oppor
child. Now'I have left St. Paul, have
suddenly been thrown out of my posi-
ton, and am here in WASHINGTON will
circumstances against me.'
Elvidge is a young man, scarcely pas
rs, has not the appearance of a mar
WHO WoulQ De gullty OF del1Derate at
front to the president. He refused t,
discuss his case further, saying an,
statement he would make might be con
strued against him by the officials il
the case, should there be any furthe
action. He has made no attempt t.
secure a hearing Or to be reinstated
expressing it as,his belief that it woul,
, be of no avail. = '~%' y -
Cause of Presidents Order.
It was after he had returned fror
his ride on the day in question tina
the president resolved on the amend
+ ment to the civil-service rules con
trolling dismissals, and so the genera
public is hardly to be blamed for as
Stunning that the amendment grew d.
rectly out Of the Elvidge case.
1t the young mans story Is true,
gross injustice has been done hin
which explain the feeling here that til
president, in making this new rule, wa
possibly controlled by impulse and thu
= led into the commission of an act 6
unfairness The Minnesota associatio
in Washington will look up the fact
and be of any help toSElvidge. that ma
possible.