Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-20
TWO SESSIONS,
Busy Meetings Of Civil
Service Reform League.
Members Are Welcomed to New
Haven, Ct, by Mayor StudIey.
Some Interesting Figures Reported
at 2Ist Annual Session.

New Haven, Conn, Nov. 19.-Two
sessions of the National Civil Service
Reform League, which is holding it's
26th annual meeting in this city, made
uD today's program. In the afternoon
a business meeting was presided over
by Dr. Daniel c. Gilman of Baltimore.
the president. at which the annual re-
port was presented. At Woolsey hall
this evening President A. Y. Hadley of
Yale University presided over pub
lie meeting. Two addresses were
made, the first by President Gilman
ard the other by Sec. Charles Bona
parte.
Resolutions on the death of Carl
Schurz of New York, who was presi-
dent of the league in 1900, We're adopt
ed.
Both gatherings We're attended by
many leaders of the civil service re-
form movement east of the Mississippi
river
At the afternoon session Mayor
Studley gave the address of welcome
and President Gilman made the re-
Spouse. The report of the council
read by Mr.. Dana first made reference
to the fact that this was the 21st an
niversary of the formation of the
league. The PcndletOn BILL introduced
in the United States Senate in 1881,
became law in January. 1888. at
which time the total number Of en-
ployes in the federal service was no.
coo and of these only $4,000 under ser
vice rules. On June 80 last the federal
service included 326.S55 persons and
the classified competitive service 1884,
1IS. The report said that all the more
important branches are now included
under the law excepting fourth class
postmasters now numbering 62,4S0, the
pension examining surgeons and a few
other officials.
The report points out the establish
ment of merit systems in the various
states and cities in the Union and the
character of that service and the SCOPE
of its application. 1t also saws that
the national league is at work through
various committees on administra ton
problems while another committee has
had under consideration the subject
of approximation.
On this latter subject the general
>N'iOi''ioho ICsiClitd are tndC the
amount of approximation is very small
that now special provision is neces-
sary in the way of pensions or SUPER
annuation funds of which the United
States government is to be made paw
master and that if anything should be
done the best method suggested is the
Australian system of compelling new
appointecS to take out preferred an
nuty policies under proper safe
guards.
In opening the evening meeting Pres
lGent Hadley cordially welcomed the
delegates. He said that he had seer
civil service reforms taken as a Joke
and seen them ridiculed, but afterwards
taken as matter of course. and now
the time is at hand when it will be ar
issue of serious Importance. The work.
crS in the cause may be comparative.
| ly few in number, but what they Iacl
in number will no doubt be made 1lD ir
activity. Civil service reform President
I1aGiey considered one Of the most i'm.
rortant problems which is now bcine
| worked out in our administration OF
national and local affairs.
He introduced President Gilman
who spoke as follows: