The Cairo bulletin., 1910-02-15
CONDITIONS IN
CIVIL SERVICE
TWENTY.SixTH ANNUAL REPORT
HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO
THE PRESIDENT.
MUCH ACTIVITY SHOWN
For the Year Ended June 80, 1909.
367,794 Officers an q
Empioyes-The Census
Examinations.

Washington, Feb. 1i.AThe twenty
sixth annual report Of the United
States Civil Service Commission,
(which has been submitted to. Pres
iideut Taft for, transmittal to congress
shows that the year endeAt June
30. 1909, vas one of marked activity
for the commission ~ .sss5'
The report. goes on to show that the
number, of questions for which eaair-
linations are held has increased by
2S,3o3, while the more eSaeting re-
Iquirements in appointments increased
the complexity and variety OF the
work. Investigations OF minor viola
ltions OF the rules were also more
numerous. probably due 10. the fact
that he provisions Of the rules are be-
coming more widely known, and taat
minor violations which formerly wonld
have been passed unnoticed are nov
reported. The presidential campaign
RESULTED in more violations OF the rule
against political activity than usually
occur during year and greater de-
gree of severity in punishment has
been imposed.
The commission obtained one con.
viction in the corrts for violation Of
the law forbdding the solicitation OF
political assessments Of federal eni'
ployees on government premises. A
number OF other cases OF political
activity, of political assessmeIltsa era
of discrimination for politician lRs8as0ns
were investigated and appropriate dts.
ciplnary action enforced by the de-
lpartments in thirty-six cases, and
other cases are pending.
The report shows that there are
| 367.7a4 officers and employees in the
leSeeptire civil service 234.94a suhsect
to competitive examination under the
leiyilservice rules. The number Of
Ioriginal appointments through con-
petitive examination rs shown was
39.g05. When promotions. transfers,
land reinetatements are added the
number is Increased TO 43,066, and .air
pointments to the Philippine service
and those of nnskilled laborerS anr
lrointcl through examination under
/ the labor regulations increase the
number to 1890. Three and onc.half
per cent Of the appointments were to
professional scientific. or technical po-
sitions, including those requiring
economic training and business abi-
lity. 39R per cent to clerical and sub
lclerical positions, f9 per cent to
trades positions, and per cent were
to skilled laborer positions. No ap-
pointments were made on non-com'
Ipetitive examination except in cases
Of promotion, transfer, and reinstate-
lment
Tho report eontradicts the impress
sion that unfit men are protected by
the rules, and shows that where such
men are retained in the service the
fault Is with the head OF the depart
lment or the supervising officer. and
not with the rules since the only re-
strictions made by the rules on tho
Ipower of removal are that like penal
ties hall he imposed for like offenses
that removals shall not be made ex-
ccpt for such cause as viii promote
1.-The cause of removal shall be stated
in writing and filed The rule is In
tended to prevent removals upon
secret charges and for political or re-
fyip Tho .,NY,naie uinp hug
no authority under the rules 10 inyes-
tigate removals unless the procedure
required has not been followed or un'
less the removal was for political or
religious reasons.
Thirteenth Census.
The report states that the census
act provided for special test exam
ination, open to all applicants with.
out regard to political affiliations. to
be prescribed by the director and con
Quoted by the commission. Examina-
tions have been held and appoint
lments are now being made. Enumcra
Itors were to be designated for appoint
mcnt by the supervisors Of the re-
| SpocttvC districts, subject 10 tne ap+
lproval Of the director The latter has
ordered that all appointments shall be
made without regard to political af'
Ifiliations and tha. no person appointed
shall be active in politics. Applicants
are required to take a simple prac-
ticai examination consisting chiefly In
milling out sample forms.
Fourth-class 9ostn,asters.
The regulations for the appointment
OF fourth-c.ass postmasters in the
fourteen states affected by the pres
ident'g order making them subject to
lexamination are set forth, it being
lstated that they are In force and work
ing satisfactorily. Two examinations
are prescribesi. the first for those Of