The Washington times., 1906-01-25

Secretary of the Treasury Leslie NJ
Shaw would limit the tenure of service
OF the Government employ ID not more
than six wears.
He suggests that one-sixlh Of the un-
skilled clerical force OF the Govern
ment be appointed yearly.
lie would not, however. allow any ar
fangemcnt or plan apply 10 the per-
sonnet OF the service as 1t stands to-
day. Any plan or agreement tending
To solve the problem of freeing the
Government of its superannuated or dis
abled or incapacitated employees should
be applicable only TO those who may
come into the Government service after
such plan or agreement is put into ef-
feet.
He would suggest that the new clerks
be selected as now, from the civil SER
vice list. but that they become ineligible
after six years. For chiefs of division
and other positions where IAN element
OF initiative and supervision prevails.
he would have reappointmeuts made I'M
der an Eecutive order for a second term.
These ''reappointments' should be
guided BY the actual record of the clerk
or clerks made during their first term
of service. and not based upon political
or other influence.
Would Produce Fresh Blood.
This scheme he said would give
the Government fresh blood for the
routine work and experienced clerks for
the more important and advisory
places"
To promote the spirit of thrift. econ
omy, and ultimate happiness he would
unQualihedly suggest the Department
Savings Bank System" advocated in his
annual report to the President
These facts We're in substance the
theme of Secretary ShaWS address be
fore the United States Civil Service Re
tiremcEt Association at National Rifles
ATmOr> last night.
Mr.. Shaw was scheduled to address
the Government employees on the ques-
lion OF retiring superannuated, disabled
or lncapacitateC employees. He made il
PLAIN 10 his audience at the very be-
ginning that he was not going To say
things they would probably most like
10 hear. RE said he was going 10 have
heart To heart talk with men and
women in the Government service or,
question that. he believed, not one
TENN OF whom would agree with each
other on plan to satisfactorily solve.
Purely His Own.
ON announcing his plan. after hav-
ing prefaced il with a warning as 10
what was coming, Mr.. Shaw said he
was doing so on his own responsibility
He had referred il TO no one. and II
committed nobody He did not expect
il would be popular with the clerks.
with civil service refOrmers, or with
the people generally. He did think.
however, it had in its favcr the logic
or human experience and that its adop-
ton would counterfeit some of the
weakness of the service as it now exists.
and he made the suggestion solely for
what It was worth.
Ills audience was on the anxious seat
untl after he had outlined the scheme
or his own originatiou and when he
had concluded with his policy a sign of
TelleT was apparent. The audience did
not really know what to expect or AFTER
they had found out the plan, really now
10 take 1t.
In commenting upon his policy the
secretary said there was one cOnsidera-
non worthy most OF all, in the interest
OF the clerk. That one of the unfor-
Junate tendencies in the present ser
vice IS 10 look upon a position as n
vested right, terminable only at death
The logic of such a view. he DoiDted
OUT, tends 10 anything but thrift III "A
clerk knew ne was going to be let our
after period of six years, ne Womb
plan accordingly. Another phase lie
called particular attention to was thar
the knowledge that they were soon "a
seek new fields would serve as an in
centlVe 10 the Government employ at all
times.
The voluntary statement the Secretary
received from his thirteen Keen cues
lions showed the statement Of the
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