Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-05
GREAT GROWTH OF
THE MERIT SYSTEM
Twenty-titth Annual Report Of
Civil Service Commission
Shows What Has Been.
ALL PARTIES NOW ENDORSE IT
During FISCAL Year More Than 1000
Persons We're Appointed Through
Competitive Examination.

Washington, Jan. 5.-The twenty
hfth annual report OF the civil service
commission is OF especial interest, con-
tanning as II does resume OF the COM
missions work during the first quarter
of a century OF It's existence. together
with a more detailed statement OF the
changes brought about during Presi-
dent Roosevelt's terms Of office. The
report shows that since its establish
ment In 1888 the growth Of the merit
system has been continuous, and ap-
probation OF It's advantages over the
patronage system which preceded IL.
has become practically universal Both
political parties unite IN their plat
forms to endorse the principles Of the
system and the workings OF the civil
service law, and the commission enjoys
the support and sympathy OF admins
trative officers and the federal courts.
In this connection IL Is interesting 20
note that six states and nearly 100 cities
Of the country have adopted competi-
tive systems Of civil appointments AS
the report says.
The end Of a quarter century Of en-
forcement finds the system firmly es-
tablshed and faithfully supported II
is justified as practicable method OF
obtaining economy and efficiency I'm the
service, and as a remedy for many
abuses
AN ITEM OF INTEREST.
One item Of interest brought out by
the report is the astonishing Increase
during the fiscal year ended June 80,
1908, in the number Of applicants for
civil service examination. over the fig
ures for the preceding year, there hav-
ing been, IN round numbers, $4,000
such applicants I'm 1905 as compared
with 10000 I'm 1907; while applications
for the regular spring examinations for
departmental service showed an even
grea ter Increase, amounting % the total
of 50 per cent. This increase 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-
ployment
IN the matter OF appointments il Is
shown that during the fiscal year last
past more than 41,OOO persons were
appointed through competitive examin-
alton.
The report also brings out the fact
that during the last fiscal year more
than 1900 positions In the government
service We're added 20 the number sub
ject TO competitive examination under
the civil service rules, the figures being
exclusive of the large number Of fourth
class postmasters recently brought IN
to competitive class by executive or
der This increase was due TO a great
extent to new work and TO transfers of
unclassified and excepted positions to
the competitive class, this fact being
emphasized by official reports from tho
various departments showing large IN
creases In the work OF offices without
corresponding additions TO the force of
employees. During the year free de-
livery WAS extended 10 20 postoffices,
thereby bringing a considerable number
of persons into the classified service.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The report calls attention TO the i'm
provemcnt brought about by various
amendments 70 the rules including the
reduction of temporary appointments
to a minimum, and to the improved
regulations affecting the navy yards.
the reclamation service. the geological
survey, the quartermaster's depart
ment, and the isthmlan canal service
Concerning the last Col Cocktails
chairman and chief engineer. reports:
Il have endeavored 10 observe the
civil service rules in so far as they
apply TO positions IN the service Of tho
have impressed upon subordinate Off
cials the Importance and necessity OF
the policy. II Is believed that IN the last
year there have been few, II any, ir-
regular appointments"
Even IN the midst OF tho presidential
campaign much has been gained, dur
ing the year, In restricting abuses aris-
ing from partisan activity Of ONCE
holders. The commission now possesses
Jurisdiction over cases involving EN-
ployes In the competitive service. and
its investigation OF several cases OF im-
proper political activity and the col
Letting OF political assessments result
ed IN removals both by the president
and by tho heads Of departments. Tho
penalties imposed had a widely deter
rent eject, and tho commission re-
ports that violations Of the rules be-
came nOticeably less, both I'm number
and IA degree, as the campaign prog
ressed.
New regulations governing promo
lions and transfers In the customs
service al the larger ports have been
adopted. which, Il Is confidently be-
iieved. will result I'm a higher degree
OF efficiency. and some slight mOdihca-
tons ia the labor regulations. which
experience had shown 20 be desirable,
have also been adopted. The report
shows that the passage OF the new SAL
airy law has operated bcnehcially as re-
CARDS tho securing OF eligihles I'm first
and second class pOstoflicos, especially
in the south and west, and has checked
the alarming Increase IN the rate Of
resignation from the postal service. The
Mai standard OF efficiency maintained
In rural carriers o. evidenced by tho
ACT that out Of total number of more
fhau $4,000 but l6j were dismissed for
cause during the year.
MANNER or APPOINTMENT.
Not the least interesting section ~
fha report relates 20 the manner OF
anuointment 20 be followed in socur-
ne The force for the coming census
M commission setting forth az some
length rs reasons Tor believing That
me census employees should BE- chosen
III competitive examination as dIHtln-
unlshed from the competitive exc
ANIMATION provided for by the bill now
pending in Congress.
Tn another section OF the report an
tantion be- again directed % the doplof
able lack Of facilities for carrying on
M work. under which the commission
lahora Despite its steadily Increasing
work the commission b. compelled 10
occupy "a iuildins inadequate % house
its employees and files, unsuitable Ia
Arrangement and containing no rooms