Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-17
SUMMARY DISMISSAL
Important Amendment Of
Civil Service Rules.
OFFICIAL HEADSMEN
CABINET OFFICERS GIVEN
ALMOST UNLIMITED POWER.
Most Sweeping Change Of Recens
Years Efecting All Employees Of
the Classified Service.
OFFICIAL HEADSMEN

President Roosevelt has authorized the
issuance of the most far-reaching civil
service amendment of many years. 1t Is
nothing more nor less than the right to in
slant removal of an employe by the head
of a department when the tnefficiency or
misconduct of the employe comes under the
direct observation of the head of the de-
partment
1t Is believed that the effect OF the order
will be to cause the strictest discipline in
the government service and carry terror to
the hearts of the inefficient. Under the
latitude conferred In the amendment the
head of department would have little
trouble in acquainting himself personally
with the inefficency misconduct of any
employe, and he is then authorized to chop
off head without giving any notice to the
employe or permitting any defense to
charges, as heretofore
The Presidents order, signed this after.
Icon, is follows:
Executive order
When the President or head of an OK.
ecCtive department is satisfied that an Of
ficer or employe in the classified service is
inefficient or incapable, and that the pub
lie service will be materially improved by
his removal, such removal will be made
without hearing; but the cause of removal
shall be stated in writing and filed. When
misconduct Is committed, in the view and
presence of the Pres dent or head of ex-
executive department, removal may be
made summarily and without notice.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The White House, October IL, 1905
The amendment is made to rule XII, sec.
ton 2. which provides that the appointing
officer In the executive civil service shall re-
nor in, OF fn fho r{x
sion all changes In their departments, as
soon as made. and the reasons for making
them. Heretofore, in every case of the re-
moval Of a civil service employe, charges
had to be filed against the person whom it
was proposed to remove and the employe
was given time in which to meet the
charges with such defense as he might have
to make. Under the authorised amendment,
such proceeding will not be necessary. A
head of department may discharge an ena-
ploye for his conduct of inefflciency. with
the simple statement to the civil services
commission that the misconduct Of inefifs
cheney is subject of his personal observa-
ton. The discharged employe will have no
recourse.
Cabinet Unanimous for Change.
The amendment was discussed by the
cabinet at it's meeting today and approved
unanimously.
1t is stated that the amendment has not
been made for any especial case or cases,
but is intended to cover the large number
of known cases of inefficiency coming die
rectly under the notice of heads of departs
ments, but in which action has never been
taken because of the necessity of a three-
days notice of dismissal and the filing OF
charges, with the right to answer. Under
the amendment the powers of a cabinet
officer are extensive SO far as diSmissalS
are concerned.
There are suggestions that the order will
lead to the old methods of political inter-
cession, which may result in keeping inefi-
cient men with pulls in Office and bringing
about the dismissal of those without pres
ent pull of any sort. but the President evil
IDENTIFY believes that cabinet officers will
use their great power In this direction with
judgment and sense.
Say They Are Hampered.
There is a fear that the amendment will
reach hundreds Of men who have grown
old in the government service and who are
recognized as lacking that degree of efh.
cheney that would be theirs with fewer
years hanging over them. Under the new
order. cabinet officer would have nothing
to prevent him dropping one of these em-
ployes, as many as he desired. and little
would ever be known about 1t. The secrecy
of the whole thing will enable the ak to
fall upon heads and clip them off without
the facts ever becoming known outside the
department The right to answer charges
prevents a secret disposition of any case.
President that the present rule as to fling
charges and permitting answer Is difficult
one so far as rdding the departments of
inefficient men and women is concerned.
They have pointed out that it Is difficult to
prove inefficiency, but that 1t Is not diff
cult for a cabinet officer to recognize 1T
when he sees it stalking around him every
day. and could summarily deal with 1t IL he
had the power.
SO far as can be gathered, the Keep COM
mission of inquiry has made no report upon
L@r~
arisen through the statements of cabinet
officers to the President that every day they
notice cases of the most absolute ineffi-
cheney which they are unable to touch as
the rules now stand.
1t is believed in cabinet circles that the
new rule will inspire a most wholesome
spirit of discipline in the departments and
result in much more work and better work,
although it is freely conceded that the rule
will not be well received, because OF the
right 1t confers of summary dismissal with
out hearing and the abuses that may arise
from this power.
Cause Of the Order.
While members of the cabinet frequently
have discussed such an amendment TO the
civil service rules as was authorized today
the subject was brought directly to the at
tention of President Roosevelt recently by
the misconduct of a chauffeur OF one OF
the government automobiles. The driver
of tbe automobile piioted his machine di-
ractly in the way of the Presidents car
rage and seemed to take delight In CUTTING
him out of the road
When the President learned who the
obauffeur was he said he ought to be dis
charged as Incapable of operating the ma
chine. The subject was pressed by tne
members of the Cabinet, and the decision
was reached to make the amendment to the
civil service rules in order that misconduct
~ q government employe might be made
the cause for instant dismissal
MndaW