Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-05
CIVIL SERVICE REPORT
TWenty-Fifth Year of the Merit
System.
NOW FIRMLY ESTABLISHED
Advantages Over the Patronage
Plan Universally Admitted.
EXAMINATIONS ON INCREASE
Those for 1908 Far in Excess Of
Previous Year-Progress Dur
ing Roosevelt Administration.
EXAMINATIONS ON INCREASE

terest, containing as 1t does a resume OF
the commissions work during the first
quarter of century of its existence,
together with a more detailed statement
of the changes brought about during
President Roosevelts term Of office The
report shows that since it's establishment
| in 1883 the growth of the merit system
has been continuous, and appreciation OF
it's advantages over the patronage sys-
tenn which preceded it has become prac-
tically universal. Both political parties
unite in their platforms to indorse the
principles of the system and the workings
of the civil service law, and the commits
sion enjoys the support and sympathy of
administrative officers and the federal
courts. In this connection 1t is interesting
to note that six states and nearly 100
cities of the country have adopted COM
petitive systems for civil appointments.
! AS the report says:
The end of quarter century of en-
| forcement finds the system firmly es-
tablished and faithfully supported 1t Is
| justified as a practicable method OF OBJ
| tanning economy and efficiency in the
service, and as remedy for many
abuses"
| One item of interest brought out by
| the report is the astonishing increase dur
| ing the fiscal year ended June 30, 1908 In
| the number of applicants for civil service
examination. over the figures for the
| preceding year, there having been, in
! round numbers, 167 900 such applicants in
| 1908 compared with 10000 In 1907;
while applications for the regular spring
| examinations for departmental service
| showed an even greater increase, amount
ing to the total of 81 per cent. This in
| crease in the number of persons desiring
| to enter the government service may
| doubtless be attributed to the financial
| depression throughout the country during
the greater part of the year and the large
| number of persons thrown out of en-
ploynnent.
In the matter of appointments it is
| shown that during the fiscal year last
past more than 1900 persons were APP
pointed through competitive examna
ton.
| Extending the Classification.
The report also brings out the fact
| that during the last fiscal year more
| than 1000 positions in the government
| service were added to the number sub
| ject to competitive examination under the
| civil service rules, these figures being ex-
| elusive of the large number of fourth
| class postmasters recently brought into
| the competitive class by executive order.
| This increase was due to great extent
| 10 new WOTk ana 10 tTdflsfeTS Vi unCldSSl-
fed and excepted positions to the COM
| petitive class.
The report calls attention to the i'm
provements brought about by various
amendments to the rules. including the
| reduction of temporary appointments to
a minimum and to the improved regula-
| lions affecting the navy yards. the rec
| 1amation service, the geological survey.
| the quartermasters department and the
| Isthmian canal service. Concerning the
/ la nd
engineer, reports:
Il have endeavored to observe the civil
service rules in so far as they apply to
positions in the service of the commits
sion and from time to time have 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 presidential
campaign much has been gained during
the year in restricting abuses arising
from partisan activity Of off1ceholders.
The commission now possesses jurisdic-
ton over cases involving employees in the
competitive service, and its investigation
of several cases OF improper political &C
tivity and the collecting of political as
sessments resulted in removals both by
the President and by the heads Of depart
ments. The penalties imposed had
widely deterrent effect. and the commits
sion reports that violations of the rules
| DeCdHe HotlCedbly less, DOtn III numDcT
and in degree, as the campaign pro-
crossed.
The Customs Service.
New regulations governing promotions
and transfers in the customs service at
the larger ports have been adopted.
which. it is confidently believed. will re-
suit in a higher degree of efficiency and
some slight notifications in the labor
regulations, which experience had shown
to be desirable, have also been adopted.
The report shows that the passage of the
new salary law has operated benefcially
as regards the securing of elfgibles in
| first and second class post Offices, es-
pecially in the south and west, and has
| checked the alarming increase in the rate
| of resignation from the postal service.
The high standard of efficiency MAIN
tanned by rural carriers is evidenced by
the fact that out of a total number of
more than $1,000 but 165 were dismissed
for cause during the year.
Not the least interesting section Of the
report relates to the manner of appoint
ment to be followed in securing 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 examina-
| ton as distinguished from the non-com-
4
bill now pending In Congress.
| In another section of the report at
tention is again directed to the deplor-
able lack of facilities for carrying on
its work under which the commission
labors. Despite it's steadily increasing
work 1.-THE commission Is compelled to
occupy building inadequate to house
its employees and files, unsuitable in arr
rangement and containing no rooms in
| which examinations can be held. Nor
| is there any appropriation available Tor
the rental of such rooms.
Competitive Positions, zoe, 900.
The report concludes with resume
of the progress of civil service reform
under President Roosevelt Here the
fact is brought out that the number Of
positions subject to competitive exami-
nation has nearly doubled since Sep
| TENDER. 1901, having increased from
| about 10000 at that time to a total of
about 100000 in the present year.
| The more important extensions of the
merit system during the present ad
ministration include the classification
| of the rural carrier service, the federal
| service in the Philippines, the isthman
canal service and the forest service. The
creation Of new bureaus, the extension Of
government activity to new fields and the
| closer supervision and inspection found
| of the law. have necessitated large in
creases in the classified branches, while
at the same time the powers and re-
| sponsibility of the commission have been
| greatly extended. Most of the increases
| NAV he attributed growth tn en11n,her