New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-18
CIVIL SERVICE REPORT
State Commission Makes Important
Recommendations.

Albany. Feb 1.-THE annual report Of tie State
Civil Service Commission, consisting Of Charles Z.
Nlliken- John L. Kraft and Roscoe G. f. Brown,
to he transmitted TO the Governor tomorrow, takes
issue with the commonly accepted dictum that il
Is impra"ticable 60 apply the Of competition to
H." filling Of positions of confidential character
or involving dduoary responsibility, and cites in
support Of its contention the testimony OF large
number Of state and county officers ELECTED in
plies 10 inquiry by the president of the commission
This evidence is summed UP by the report as fol-
lows:
None advocate a resembling Of the law a
or its frat1on ar r,n oit enarifc Instances
y. ..'il oi l,,l, ~
lions for Improvement Of methods, but the great
laws restrictions and to the wholesome effect upon
the public service OF the enforcement of the rule
OF competition.
Quotations are made from a number of the let
tiers referred TO- and this declaration follows:
These are from mon carrying the largest official
responsibility and having wide and practical ex-
evidence not 10 he gansaid that the merit system
makes fer efficiency IN The pubic service ana I Jhat
realm. in the filing Of public offices.
Speaking Of the conference Of civil Service Com
missoners Of the state held in Albany on october
Il and T. the report declares that it accomplished
much good
EAR REACHING COURT DECISIONS.
Tho repor. calls particular attention TO three de-
ing the year and having far reaching Importance
10 the administration of the Civil Service law
These comprise the decision I'm the so-called Ben
der case confirming tho power OF the state civil
Service Commission to inquire into and report upon
all matters touching the enforcement and effect OF
the provisions of the civil Service law and rules,
and into the action Of q pubiic officer In respect
litigation. IN which the court. reversing its earlier
decision held that the action of a civil Service
comm ssen iu regard to matters OF classification
except when palpahy illegal IS final and unTe-
y.ewahle by the courts and tho decision IN the
transfer except between similar positions and with
TaP,d Sr5moton bv transfer Of polftlca favorites
over tho heads of those better qualified.
three notable legal Victories to the credit Of the
square deal I'm the public service.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The commission recommends. IN accordance with
the request OF the conference the extension 10 the
whole public service Of the state subject 10 the
operation OF the Ctvil Service rules that provision
OF the law. confined IN IT'S application TO New
York City. which gives the incumbent Of a posi-
ton IN the competitive class opportunity for
explanation prior TO removal, and case OF re-
moval requires the al!nR by the superior oHlcer
OF statement OF the reasons therefor II IS argued
NM le7e Icgulreicnls operate as check against
IN any way limiting or obstructiug the power OF
moval which the commission saws It believes
should be absolute and unbelievable except as al
ready provided IN the statute Tor the benefit OF
The recommendation Of tho conference that the
registration OF lHbuTers In the smaller cities per
Hussv" instead of obligatory Is also iudorSed. Il
IS pointed ont that the work Of lahorors IN many
= these cities IS irregular and desultOry that
IS practically impossible follow the plan Of regis
traton prescribed, and result schemes are re-
sorted 10 CiTcumVcntug ignoring this provision
Of the law, with tendency TO bring It's whole sy4-
tom into dlsTeSpeet and embaIrass It's admnistra-
toU.
It-is also suggested that the commission might
wisely be empowered to establish labor Tegistra-
uou In departments OF the state and county ser
vice where labOreTs employed in numbers 10
make registration practicable and where the pres
tnt method offers convenient Oportuuity to avoid
competition.
To meet the argument raised IN the Bender case
that the prohibition against receiving" political
contributions In a public building does not cover
the act Of an agent who receives such ContTbu-
ttons for transmission to others It is suggested
that any person be expressly forbidden TO accent
a political contribution IN 4 public building. under
any circumstances.
The commission also repeats its recommended
ton Of last year that the law be amended So m
TO require the annual hIing by public employees OF
statements setting forth the amount OF contribu-
tions. II any made for political purposes This
publicity the commission remarks, would operate
not to check voluntary and legitimate Contrbu-
tions to party funds. but to prevent the enforced
and unlawful assessment for political purposes Of
persons I'm the service Of the state government.