Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-18

settle have said this In strict confidence
believing that you will not betray me- If
1 should at once fall victim to the new
ORDER
Views of Officials.
Among cabinet officers and assistant
heads of departments not the same view
was taken. 1t was declared by several cab
met officers that the rule would work we'll
so far as lazy and inefficient clerks are
concerned and would not affect those with
good records for work In the departments.
1t was stated that such a rule should nave
been in force all along. as there are numer-
Gus instances 1t Is stated, where the te-
dious routine of filing charges and listening
to defense has prevented the summary and
easy action that will hereafter follow. The
trouble of dismissal under the former rule
was too much Moreover, the charges were
sometimes hard to prove. especially II they
related TO incompetency and general worth
lessness
Cabinet officers felt that no injustices
would be done so long as they could pre-
vent IL. They admitted that 1t would be
difficult for them to personally sft the facts
in every of inefficiency brought to their
attention, but in most departments there
are personnel boards to which the cases
of clerks are submitted for action before
dismissal. 1t Is upon the recommendation
of this board that the head of a depart
ment always acts. 1t Will be the policy of
most nehUS OIL uepdTtI TO continue 10
refer to the personnel committees all
charges effecting the efficiency and worth
of clerks and others. If the committees re-
port adversely in an employees case his
head will travel down the incline without
the formality of review hearing to deter
mine whether 1t ought to go that way
Cabinet officers do not believe that the
new rule will promote cliques and combines
to run departments and say they will be
able to determine the existence of such
things.
Cabinet officers today would not deny or
affirm the story that the order of the Pres-
dent. although 1t had been in his mine
long time, was the outcome Of the action of
a government chauffeur a few days ago
In cutting the President and his family out
of the road both vehicles were travelling.
There a tacit admission. however.
that the President had been incensed by
this kind of conduct of a government en-
ploye operating machine and spoke to
the cabinet of 1t as an instance that aided
him In making up his mind.
Bully" Says Mr.. DeGraw
THE executive order issued yesterday
is bully" was the emphatic approval given
today by Mr. p V. De Graw, fourth as
sistant postmaster general. when the mat
ter was called to his attention. TT Is one
of the best of the orders that has emanated
from the White House since l can remeul-
Der. 1t places at the disposal of members
of the cabinet authority which they
have long needed, and 1t Is an advantage
which Will not be abused. A cabinet off1-
Ger will not remove NAH because of pure
ly political reasons. nor because of a per-
sonal grudge. Such officials are away
above that sort of business. On the other
nand, there are many cases where a cab
met officer Is convinced that an employc
is incompetent and that the service would
profit by his removal, But the endless red
tape necessary for this removal, under the
then existing civil service rule, often re-
otslf tod IN, tla r.
action postponed indefinitely. OF course
the clerks in the departments will con-
aemn the order to a certain extent, but
those who are doing their work properly
and who are thoroughly competent can
not but profit by the order. and conse-
auently l believe they will approve it,
Decided Opposition Developed.
Mr.. DeGraw's prediction proved cor
rect Inquiry among the clerks at the
Post Office Department developed a de-
cided opposition to the executive order
suppose the Postmaster General should
want to remove me?" was the query each
and every one of the clerks made.
The general impression seemed to be
that the clerks had lost bulwark and
that they were now exposed to fire from
q side which they could not protect. The
more important post office officials how
ever, were unanimous in support of the
stand taken by the President.
NOne Oh lnSSe OIHCldlS cared 10 De quoted
and declined to express opinion until
guaranteed immunity from publicity. The
clerks were equally reticent because of their
fear that an adverse opinion might be suf-
fcient cause for their summary removal
on the ground of incompetency.
IF l went on record as saying this order
Is unfair" remarked one diplomatic en-
pioye. the Postmaster General would de-
eide that didn't know enough to keep my
mouth shut and my official head would
drop in the basket. No. sir: no public con-
yersation for me- Between you and me.
think the order is unjust and unfair; but
officially think it is all to the good"
II believe that one serious effect Of the
order of the President" said a prominent
treasury clerk this afternoon, will be to
prevent the best talent coming into the gov
ernraent service. The feeling of insecurity
that VIII follow this order will prevent
many bright man turning to government
employment. l prophecy that the grading
OF many future examinations will reveal
dulleI class of people than in many years
before this Men and women cannot be
blamed. ether
''To Get Rid of Old Timber"
''If you won't use my NAME" remarked
veteran clerk in one of the departments, Il
don't mind expressing my belief that the
new executive order Is designed. for one
thing. to get rid of some of the old timber
in the government service. it will enable
the authorities to do quietly and indirectly
"Hdl lHey 40 not want 10 40 openly
directly.
I'm one of the old ones. myself having
served my country during the civil war.
l try to discharge my duties faithfully and
conscientiously. and, without intending TO
boast, i think my work compares favorably
with that of the younger men and women
in this division. which you know Is not
small one. You see. it's a personal matter
with me. On account of my age and lack
of influence | naturally regret TO see the
revocation of any single rule of the civil
service commission designed to protect the
cmploye who does his whole duty TO the
government, without regard TO race, reiig-
ion. politics or age"
Cause of the Order.
You won't use my name. nor give me
away to the Secretary? All right then
I'll tell you that the immediate cause of
the new executive order was stated In The
Star yesterday afternoon" SO spoke q
clerk to a Star man during the lunch hour
today. 1T was" he continued. mainly
due TO the foolish conduct of the chauffeur
OF a government automobile. which, 1 I'M
derstand. belongs to the bureau of stand
ards. The story is that he drove his
vehicle in front of the Presidents carriage
so as to block It's passage.