The Washington times., 1906-06-22


writer's made all haste TO be transferred
10 other departments or TO get into
other departments by taking additional
examinations. for in the other depart
ments in a majority of cases stenograph-
ers start in al $500 and go on up the line.
Started In War Department
Therefore, to keep in the War and
Navy Department clerks who had learn
ed the business. but who were poorly
paid. an appeal was made to Congress
10 insert in the legislative bill the pro-
vision that the three-year term of ser
vice was necessary before a transfer
could be obtained. Mr.. Moody, while he
was Secretary of the Navy. was an ar
dent advocate of this provision.
Year after year it has been defeated
until this session. Now the blow has
fallen. and the young clerks and many
chief clerks and heads of bureaus are
stirred TO a degree by the situation
This year the three-year clause was
adopted by the House, cut down to one
year by the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee, and then reduced to only six
months by the Senate while in the Com
mittee of the Whole. The bill then went
TO conference, and there the conferees
put back in the measure the original
EuaEe Il now stands.
Chained to Their Jobs.
This restriction, this chaining Of the
young clerk to a position for three long
years. In most cases the best years of
his youth without the slightest hope OF
promotion or increase in salary, was
described today as a ''fit foundation for
that life of stagnatiOn and mechanical
grind which is too often the lot of the
Government worker" 1t, in conjunction
with the Civil Service Commissions
rule, is a cast-iron cage. from which
there is absolutely neither escape nor
relief.
Not only is the large army of young
clerks in Washington indignant as the
result of the legislation, but many of
their superiOrs, awakening to the situa-
ton too late, cry out against II, and de-
plOre il in no uncertain Terms. 1t is
often as advantageous to chief to Sc
cure n transferred clcTk as 1t is for the
clerk TO get the transfer. All the chiefs
prefer the employees who have had eX-
pericnCe, and some OF the departments
had formed a habit of drawing from the
War and Navy Departments young
clerks who had gained their experience.
You are getting $S40.' a chief would
say TO "A new stenographer- Arrange 10
have yourself transferred 10 my depart
get more in time"
A Legislative Prison.
This was a game which was regularly
played. much TO the advantage Of the
clerks Consequently the general view
taken today is that the entire business
was for the sole benefit OF the War and
Navy Departments. Tkc young clerks,
and there are thousands of them, de-
scribe the business as a Legislative
prison Naturally. they do not look for
ward with any degree of enthusiasm &c
three years OF clerical work without
hope OF promotion or increase Of pay.
" es." said one today. There would
be a way 10 promotion-the death or
resignation of somebody in the particu-
lar Office in which you happen 10 bt
serving. That, however. Is slender and
gruesome hope. As for promotion fol
merit and hard and conscientious work
there will be no such thing for the frs
lnret years OF clerks service under
Uncle sam"
No Trading Places.
The three-year clause in the legis-
lative bill provides further that after
the three years no transfers shall be
made except in the interests OF good
administration. and this good of ad
ministration" will have to be clearly
shown prior TO the transfer of am
clerk In other words. IL is now thought
that the enactment of this Legislation
will put an end TO the old practice OF
clerks swapping places" thing wh1cf
Is frequently done under present con
dtions.
The tendency of the whole legislation
together with the rule OF the Civi
Service Commission. Is 10 reStric
changes and promotions in the Gov
ernment service. TO the end that head:
Of departments and chiefs may be en-
abled to keep their experienced clerk!
and not be bothered with changes II
their working forces. This is the gen
eral view of the situation today.