The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-08-04
Held il One Place for
Three Years, Workers
Say in RutS.
DOYLEDEPLORES CUSTOM
Favorable Critics Say 1t OBJ
ViateS inconvenience
10 Chiefs.

i
ment officials and clerks, alike, are
endeavoring to reach a permanent
conclusion as to the merits or de
merits OF the law.
Opinions differ. Clerks in nearly
all the departments, particularly the
Navy and Civil Service Commission,
continue TO complain that it is a
hardship against them. while heads
of departments and chiefs of bu-
reaus declare that the law is op-
Grating noticeably for the benefit Of
the service,
The Civil Service Commission. the
members of which can look upon the
situation from an unbiased point OF
view. even gives evidence Of a notice
able division of opinion. Both Commls-
sioners Cooley ami Greene declare that
the ruling operates 10 the benefit OF Gov
eminent and clerk alike. but more par
ticularly the former. General Black,
president of the commission. while silent
so FAR as an opinion one way or the
other goes. is said 10 be convinced that
already there are evidences Of gross in
justice trAA-E AD4lS ~ NsNL NJ VIM tAeAf
ing once entered the service in almost
any sort OF position in order 10 get a
start. hO0ing for promotion. hnd them
selves bound down in rut for the one
or two years remaining before they may
obtain a transfer. BY then. much val
liable time may have been lost.
Harmful to Clerks.
After watching the operations Of the
new law the past month. John p BOYLE
chief clerk Of the Civil Service Commits
sion, who is more closely in touch with
Jne great army Of Government employees
than any other one man. perhaps. Is
Convinced that while Il may result in
more or less of a benefit TO the Govern
ment. a great wrong is being done the
clerks by 1t.
General Black was approached on
The subject by a Times reporter today.
1T is TOO early yet to determine
whether IL is a good law or a bad one, "
said the general Il believe ia carry
ing out the law, instead Of stopping
10 debate its merits or dement's. That
doesn't matter 10 us just now The
law was passed. and il is our duty 10
live up TO IT, II it's bad, II Will work
its own cure through the people; if
good. il will win its own praise. No
doubt there will be considerable COM
plant on the part OF clerks. and it may
work hardships. That remains TO be
seen"
Commissioners Cooley and Greene
both were pronounced IN their views.
each feeling that the new situation
would work marked beneficial results
Tor the Government.
7 think it's going 10 have a good
effect in our own offices. right here"
said Mr.. Cooley "Th,re are about $50
civil service employees in the office Of
the commission. TIE appropriation for
our office does not permit as to LAY
big salaries, so the clerks are needy
always anxious 10 get away from Us
as soon as they can md a chance 70
better themselves I'm one OF the de-
rartments. Last year We lost one
fourth OF our help through their trans
1erring They may have benefited as
individuals by the change. but 1 am
sure the GoYerumept didn't
Had to Get Recruits.
TT made it very awkward for us.
gathering In new recruits and teaching
them over again. II what the clerks
had learned with US proved 10 be valu-
able where they went, perhaps the
Government would not be much Of a
loser-maybe a gamer. in some in
stauCes-but it's never pleasant 10
break in d colt for another man TO ride,
sou know
There are more than 5000 civil serv-
ice employees in Washington alone. and
about $4,000 in the classified service out
side, which. including the smaller army
of unclassified people. makes about
250.G0O all told. Before the new law
was passed. anyone could obtain a
transfer as soon as he was put on the
permanent list which was six months
after entering the service on probation.
Now, they Will have 90 wait until they
have learned something and made them
selves capable OF being Of use where
they are assigned. "A rolling stone gath
ers no moss is an old saying. but 10
seems 10 apply fairly we'll TO the Gov
cTumeuL clerk who is never satisfied and
would change with the moon, year after
year, II we should permit II.
Commissioner Greene stated that the
new law is working admirably, and that
the situation as between the Govern
ment and the clerk is about six of one
and half a dozen Of the other
VERY few transfers are necessary for
the good Of the service he said. If
a vacancy occurs. a man I'm that de-
partmeut should receive the transfer
L doesn't seem quite fair for a man 10
plug along year after year. trying 10
work his way up. and when there is
vacancy. some one come in entirely from
the outside and take IL. If one depart
menJ pays less for a given grade Of
work than another department il is
much like one private employer paying
less for his SteuOgrapher, clerk floor
walker. or manager. The higheT-VTir..7
CmplOye not feel obliged TO take care OF
the men who started with the cheaper
priced employer. and this employer. Of
course, would oppose the other man TAX
ing all his help from him. If he was
paying all he could.
Good Men Contenred.
THE good men. as a rule don't want
transfers. they are getting along we'll
enough. and are Contented Their
futures are assured. The poor man
comes along. and. by eXerting some kind
Of a pull jumps over into another de-
partment. Now. under the new law, he
finds that pull political. or otherwise. !
Is OF no avail, so I think he viii settle
down 10 meet the conditions, get TO
work. and endeavor 10 accomplish some
thing oy the time the three years ara
Up
Chief Clerk Doyle takes an entirely