Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-18
HOME OF ITS OWN
Civil Service Commission Asks
for New Building.
NOT ROOM TO TURN IN
Have to Hold Local Examinations in
Alexandria.
MAY APPEAL TO CONGRESS
About 100000 Would Fix Things
and Style Like Public Lib
rary Would Suit.
NOT ROOM TO TURN IN
MAY APPEAL TO CONGRESS

Congress may be requested early in the
approaching session to appropriate about
100000 for the construction of a home
building for the civil service commission.
1t is the hope of the promoters of the
proposition that President Roosevelt may
include in his message to Congress a
recommendation for a suitable structure
for the commission of which he was once
a member. 1t is their belief that all the
departments of the government should be
provided with adequate and imposing
buildings instead of rented makeshifts
One of the men who is working for the
erection of a civil service building gave
1t as his opinion today that an edifce
similar. to that of the public library on
Mount Vernon square would be Just the
thing" and, he added, that it could be
erected for approximately 100000 eX-
elusive of the ground for site. 1t was
his opinion that the building should be OF
white marble. AS to the proposed loca-
ton. it was stated, that would be a mat
ter for future consideration
The building now occupied by the civil
service commission at Sth and f streets
is said to be totally inadequate for the
purpose. The government pays for its use
a rental of $500 per annum 1t was
pointed out today that as result OF
lack quarters a local examination for en-
pioyes of the Washington post office will
nave to be held in the federal building at
Alexandria, Va, in the near future.
Crowded Out Everywhere.
When an attache of the commission was
asked today about this he said:
THE civil service commission has no
provision to pay for quarters for the ex-
animation, hence the Neutrality-suspicious. who
are seeking preferment in their city post
office will have to journey to the ancient
city of Alexandria to be examined. Some
time ago We had quarters in the census
building. in which the local examinations
were held. But as that branch of the
government grew we were compelled to
give up the quarters. Then We were
given the use of two rooms in the pension
bureau, but lately we have been crowded
out of those apartments and are now
compelled to seek accommodation at
Alexandria,.
The office force of the civil service COM
mission comprises 155 employees. exclusive
of field force of about fortythree.
Then there are approximately loo boards
of examiners, over whose work the COM
mission has supervision. In all the large
cities, except Washington, the commission
has accommodations for it's district sec
retaries.
Elevator Service Poor, Too.
large placard, prominently displayed
on the door of the elevator in the present
home of the civil service commission,
furnishes another argument for a new
building. employees say. 1t states:
THE Commissioners of the District OF
Columbia, after an inspection of the ele-
vator in use at the United States civil
service commission, it is ordered that not
more than five persons including the ele-
VatOr conductor, will be allowed on the
elevator at one time"
1t is said the civil service elevator
holds the record for being the slowest
ployes rather than ride on 1t. as 1t makes
it's tedious ascent and descent. prefer to
use the stairs.
Secretary John r. Doyle the oldest at
tache of the commission in point of ser.
vice. having been it's first appointee, gave
an interesting history of the manner in
which the commission has been shifted
from post to pillar" in the matter OF
quarters since its organization.
THE first meeting of the commission.
Mr. Doyle said, was held over a hot
air radiator in the sleeping room Of Dor.
man B. Eaton. at the Wormley Hotel, ar
ancient hosiery then located at 18th ano
H streets. This was March ., 1883. The
three first civil service commissioners
DR.. John NJ. Gregory of Illinois, Dormar
Thoman of Ohio-were present and ten
tatively mapped out the first work o.
the commission
1t was at this meeting that Mr.. Doyle
received his appointment. At the be-
ginning there were only two employees
besides the commissioners-Mr. Doyle
who was designated as general utility.
and a few days later Michael F.. Hal
loran. who was appointed as Waterman.
messenger, laborer and man of all
work" Like Secretary Doyle, Mr.. Hal
loran is still d faithful and valued en-
ploye Of the commission.
Once in q Lodging-House.