New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-04
CIVIL SERVICE REPORT.
United States Commission Recon-
mends Small Fee from applicants.

washington Dec 3-The twenty-second annual
report os the United States Civil Service Commits
sion made public to-day. contains recommenda-
zion that Congress should authorize the collection
~ . fee from applicants for examination for the
government service. Should this authority be
given the report states that the commission will
issue manual giving such detailed information
regarding the examinations will make it IN
necessary for the more intelligent applicants to
make special preparation for the. examination IN
sor1e Civil Service school institute
The fee. it is suggested, should be a small one
The argument in its favor is that It would eliminate
from the examination the large number Of persons
Who take them out of curiosity 20 obtain g
higher rating on the eligible list through re-ex-
arpinations It says that 10000 persons were ex-
anined last year 10000 OF whom obtained positions
This year the number of competitive positions in
creased from 154, 093 to Ii, s01.
Touching on the order OF President Roosevelt Of
November i, giving authority TO heads of depart
r1sDts to separate an enpIoye from the service
without notice, for delinquency or misconduct the
report says:
make removals which existed fully under the
fSfF sS hGSF Of fG be cT Service
merely making soma changes in the proceed
ure in case Of removal.
The order OF Postmaster General Corteiyou, pro-
vidig for the retention of fourth class post
masters during satisfactory service. is regarded
by the commission as distinctly the most i'm
portant administrative reform effected within the
last year The fourth class postmasters constitute
the largest class Of employees selected without ex-
animation of any kind. For many years these
positions have been treated as political spells and
appointments made TO them with slight regard to
the best interests of the service
The commission has experienced considerable
difficulty in obtaining eligbles for positions includ-
ed in the outdoor service on the isthmus AS 70
The Philippine service little difficulty has been ex-
perienced in providing sufficient eligibles.
The action of President Roosevelt in dismissing
William S. Leib. Assistant Treasurer at Philadel-
pha is gwen in full in the report, with comment
its Importance. The letter of the President, in
this case, the report states. lays down the rule
that while the Civil Service Commission is expected
> aid public officers in securing suitable persons
FOR the government service the obligation IS
mutual and such officers must on their part assist
the commission IN carrying out the manifest inten-
ton OF the Civil Service act. Which is but another
way q saying that the spirit as well the letter
c: the law must be observed.
Commenting on tie desira bty of positions in
the government service the commission says that
the separations from the service amount to about
z Per cent annually, and further:
The great defect in the federal service to-day Is
The lack OF opportunity for ambitious. well edu-
Gated Young men. All of the higher positions are
outside OF he competitive classified service and
10 system mas been established by Which those
%lo nave distinguished themselves IN the service
Tan re promoted the important Offices
aud at the time enjoy reasonable security or
tenure. There IS not sufficient Involvement for the
they DO better bv seeking employment in large
corporations, trusts and other institutions Whefe
han they can ever hope 70 secure in the govern
nent service.