Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-04
THE CIVIL SERVICE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COM
MISSION.
Recommendation for Fee From Ap-
plicants Most Important Ad-
ministration Reform.

! las submitted to the President its annual
report for the last fiscal year The report
begin with a reference to the efficiency of
the merit system and of the favor with
which 1t Is regarded by administrative Off
GERS and the general public. 1t states: THE
civil service Jaw has now stood the test of
twenty-five years, and the soundness of its
principles is indicated by the steadily in
CT easing number of states and municipal
ties which have adopted similar statutes.
During the last year civil service laws were
enacted by the legislatures of the states of
Wisconsin and Illinois. 1t is also most graf
flying to report that the work of the COM
mission Is greatly facilitated by the hearty
spirit of cooperation shown by the MEM
bers of the cabinet and by bureau chiefs In
Washington. While the merit system is not
50 well understood outside the District Of
Columbia very few complaints have been
received in regard to the enforcement of the
rules In the outside services. 1t is also be-
lleved that even those officials who for va
| rious reasons are opposed to the principles
OF the civil service law appreciate that they
| are expected to enforce 1t vigorously, and
violations of the rule either in letter or in
| spirit are constantly decreasing in num-
ber.'
Fee From Applicants.
The report contains a recommends ton
that Congress should authorize the collec-
ton for the government service. Should
this authority be given. the report states
that the commission will issue a manual
giving such detailed, information regarding
the examinations as will make 1t unneces-
sary for the more intelligent applicants to
make special preparation for the examina-
ton IN some civil service school or inSti-
tute. The amount of the fee. it is suggest
ed, should be small one. The argument
In its favor is that 1t would eliminate from
the examination the large number of per-
sons who take them out of curiosity to
secure higher rating on the eligible list
through denomination. 1t is stated that
l5ooo persons were examined last year,
inoUU OF whom secured positions. During
the year the number Of competitive exam
nations increased from 154.O93 to Ills
Touching on the order of President Roose-
welt or November II last, giving authority
to heads of departments TO separate an en-
ploye from the service without notice, for
delinquency or misconduct, the report says:
The new rule neither changes the authority
to make removals, which existed as fully
under the former as under the present prac-
ttce, nor affects the jurisdiction of the civil
service commission, merely making some
changes IN the procedure in case of re-
moval."
Most Important Administrative Re
form.
The order of Postmaster General Cortel-
you providing for the retention of fourth
class postmasters during satisfactory serv-
Ice, is regarded by the commission as dis
tinctly the most important administrative
reform effected within the past year. The
fourth-class postmasters constitute the larg-
est class of employees selected without eX-
animation of any kind. For many years
these positions have been treated as politi-
cal spoils and appointments made to them
with slight regard to the best interests OF
the service"
Regarding apnoint n,enfs To ba ponap,a
canal service the report states the commits
sion has experienced considerable difficulty
In securing eligibles for positions included
In the outdoor service on the isthmus. AS
| to the Philippine service little difficulty has
| been experienced in providing sufficient
eligibles.
The action Of President Roosevelt in dis
missing William 8. Leib, assistant treas
| urer at Philadelphia, Is given in full In the
| report with comment on it's Importance.
The letter of the President IN this case, the
report states. lays down the rule that
while the civil service commission is expect
ed TO aid public officers in securing suitable
persons for the government service, the OBJ
legation is mutual and such officers must on
their part assist the commission in carry
ing out the manifest intention of the civil
service act, which Is but another way OF
saying that the spirit as well the letter
of the law must be Observed
Conclusions.
Commenting on the desirability of posi-
tons in the government service the COM
mission says that the separations from the
service amount to about 10 per cent annu-
ally, and further:
THE great defect in the federal service
today is the lack of opportunity for ambi-
tious. well-educated young men. All of the
higher positions outside of the COM
petitive classified service, and no system
has been established by which those who
have distinguished themselves in the serv-
ice can be promoted to the more important
offices and at the same time enjoy reason
able security Of tenure. There is not suft-
cient inducement for the most capable men
to enter the examinations, as they can do
better by seeking employment in large cor
porations, trusts and other institutions
where they can in time command much
higher salaries than they can ever hope to
secure in the government service"