The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-01-06

that during the last fiscal year more
than $4,000 positions in the govern
ment service were added TO the num-
| Der subject TO competitive eXamina-
ton under the civil service rules,
these figures being exclusive of the
large number of fourth-class post
masters recently brought into the
/ competitive class by executive order.
+ This increase was due TO great eX-
! tent TO new work and TO transfers of
unclassified and excepted positions
+ 10 the competitive class. this fact be-
I ing emphasized by official reports
! from the various departments show
ing large increases in the work of Of
/ fees without corresponding additions
! TO the force of employees. During
! the year free delivery was extended
! to 80 post Offices. thereby bringing a
+ considerable number of persons into
+ the classified service.
The report calls attention TO the
+ improvements brought about by var
i ious amendments to the rules, in
Guiding the reduction of temporary
appointments TO minimum. and TO
the improved regulations affecting
+ the navy yards. the reclamation SER
vice. the geological survey, the
/ quartermaster department. and the
lsthmian Canal service. Concerning
E the last. Col. Cocktails, chairman and
chief engineer. reports:
Il have endeavored TO observe the
service rules in so far as they apply
TO positions in the service of the COM
81 baxr
impressed upon subordinate officials
the importance and necessity of the
policy II is believed that in the
last year there have been few, If any.
irregular appointments.
Even in the midst Of the president
ia campaign much has been gained,
during The year. in restricting abuses
arising from partisan activity of of
ficeholders. The commission now
possesses jurisdiction over cases in
volving employees in the competitive
service. and It's investigation of sew
eral cases of improper political
activity aud the collection of politi-
/ cal assessments resulted in removals
! both by the president and by the
heads of departments. The penalties
imposed had widely deterrent effect
and the commission reports that
violations of the rules became notice
ably less. both in number and in de-
gree, as the campaign progressed.
New regulations governing pro-
motions and transfers in the customs
service at the larger ports have been
adopted. which, il is confidently be-
lieved, will result In higher degree
Yt..s.. 1ffrl nhi
hcations in the labor regulations.
which experience has shown 10 be
desirable. have also been adopted.
The report shows that the passage of
the new salary law has operated ben
officially as regards the securing OF
eligibles in first and second class
post offices. especially in the south
and west, and has checked the alarm
| ing increase in the rate of resignation
from the postal service. The high
standard OF efficiency maintained by
rural carrier is evidenced by the fact
that out of a total number of more
than 1000 but l6o We're dismissed
for cause during the year.
Not the least interesting section OF
the report relates 10 the manner OF
appointment to be followed in secur-
ing the force for the coming census
the commission setting forth at some
length its reasons for believing that
the census employees should be
chosen by competitive examination as
distinguished from the noncompeti-
tive examination provided for by the
bill now pending in congress.
In another section of the report at
tention is again directed To the de-
plorable lack of facilities for carry
ing on its work, under which the
commission labors. Despite its
steadily increasing work the commits
sion is compelled To occupy build
ing inadequate to house its employees
and files unsuitable in arrangement
and containing no room in which ex-
aminations can be held. Nor is there
any appropriation available for the
rental Of such rooms
The report concludes with a re-
|, sumo OF the progress OF civil service
reform under President Roosevelt.
Here the fact is brought out that the
number of positions subject to COM
petitive examination has nearly
doubled since September. 1901, hav-
ing increased from about 10000 at
1 that time 10 a total of about 200
1 000 in the present year.
The more important extensions of
the merit system during the present
administration including the CLASH
fication of the rural carrier service.
the federal service in the Philippines,
4 the lsthmian Canal service. and the
= forest service The creation of new
bureaus, the extension of government
activity 10 new fields, and the closer
! supervision and inspection found
! necessary for the proper enforcement
! of the law, have neeessitated large
/ increases in the classified branches.
while at the same time the power and
I reepon sibilitV of the commission have