Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-01
Regarding OF CLERKS
RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF
AUDITOR PERSON.

Robert S. Person, auditor for the Interior
Department. calls attention In his annual
report just submitted TO Secretary Shaw
to feature of government work inaugu-
rated by him that antedates the efforts OF
the Keep commission, and that has made
both enemies and friends for him.
This is what Mr.. Person says in his re-
port about the classification of the grades OF
service:
Something more than three years ago
the first steps were taken In the direction
OF grading the work in this office and es-
tabllshing something approaching an equi-
table relation between salaries and services
On August /. 1903. the first formal order
with that end in view was promulgated, and
persistent effort has been made since that
date to carry the work forward. Progress
has been made toward a reorganization of
the office on basis which recognizes diner
ences in the grades of service as the con-
trolling principle inN the classification of
employees by the amount of salaries they re-
ceive. The wholesome activities of the Keep
commission have appreciably shortened the
time within which the reorganization NAV
be accomplished.
The Congress has responded to the eff
forts thus far made In this direction and
IL is hoped that by the beginning of the
next fiscal year the main features of the
work will be substantially effected. 1t has
ton with as little Inconvenience and en-
barrassment to employees as due considera-
ton for the imperative demands of the
service would admit. but it was impossible
that the oVerturning of the ancient system
should be effected wholly to the satisfac-
ton of everybody concerned. The change
in policy, however, on the whole is working
satisfactorily, and wholesome effect on
the personnel of the Office, as well as q
marked Improvement in the quality of the
service rendered. is apparent
The total number of employees in the Of
fee for the year was lbs. classified as fol-
lows: One law clerk and chiefs of d.
visions at 81. 900 each; 10 clerks of class 4
16 clerks of class 8, % clerks of class .; %
clerks OF class l. 10 clerks, at 81 600: IL
clerks. at $500; l assistant messenger,
skilled laborers. al $720; 6 laborers at $3.50;
1 female laborer. at 5000.
During the calendar year 1905 sixty
clerks We're granted extension OF annual
leave on account of sickness. amounting
TO a total of 527 days. as against sixty
clerks in 1904 and 66i Il days"
II is admitted that in his efforts to re-
organize his force along lines laid down
three years ago Mr.. Person has made a
number of enemies, but 1t is likewise
stated that he has made some strong
friends, notably Assistant Secretary
Keep. the head of the Keep commission
who heartily approves OF what has been
done and is to be done.
Mr.. Persons Office is said to be nearer
UP to date with its work than any other
ONCE of the same kind in the govern
ment service. He calls attention with
pride TO the fact that at the close of the
year there were only 100 accounts on
hand for settlement. Very few of these
accounts had been on hand longer than
month There We're ISL claims await
ing examination when the year closed,
but the majority of them of were delayed.
awaiting the accumulation of evidence.