The Washington times., 1911-04-21
SWEEPING PROBE
Of CIVIL SERVICE
IS NOW ASSURED
House Committee on Reform
Drafts Resolution for
Hearings.
Continued from First Page.)

lie for their protection, and that open
threats, were made to intimidate these
employees and to bring about their 81
lence.
The House Committee on Reform in
the Civil Service, awakened to the re-
alization that there is something wrong.
that dissatisfaction exists in the ranks
OF the employees to the detriment, per-
haps, of the service and that in many
instances these employees, in every de-
partment Of the Government, are under
paid, now propose to begin a probe that
will shake the very foundations of the
service.
This committee" said Chairman
Goodwin today, ''has determined upon a
full investigation of these various ques-
tions. 1t has come to our attention that
the civil service is not what 1t should
be. We hear of instances where favor
itism is shown. A man who made an
average of IS per cent in the examina-
Jton is sometimes promoted in prefer
ence to the man who had 95 per cent.
Bureau chiefs, we are told, have their
favorites.
Personal Favoritism.
"The system does not seem to be a
system Of merit. as was intended. It
seems to have built up instead a ma
chine of personal favoritism.
I'VE want concrete examples of where
the civil service has proved defective
and a disappointment. This committee.
according to the present temper OF its
members. wants to go to the very root
of this big issue and its ra< ifications.
LAS soon as l obtain the necessary
authority from the House, and l am
now preparing a resolution to this end
we propose to start here in Washington
an Investigation that may last all sum-
mer. We will have the right to sum
mon Cabinet officers, bureau chiefs, en-
ployes, and to compel the production of
documents and records.
In general terms we will go into the
question of the relationship between this
Government and its thousands of en-
Specifically, we will inquire into and
urge reforms as to the following:
THE right Of Government employees
those in the postal service and others.
to organize a union. A Constitutional
question is here involved.
THE superannuatfon of Government
employees and the alleged impaired ef-
ficiency of the service because Of the
retention of aged employees who might
be retired on a pension.
The practicability of the several pen
sion plans proposed, now embraced IN
the Gillett bill, the Austin bill and
others.
Salaries and Living Cost.
THE scale Of salaries paid the work
ers in the Government service, as COM
pared with the present high cost Of
living.
THE method of promotions and ad-
Vancements followed in some of the
departments. with especial reference to
the claim that the merit system has
given way TO an era of favoritism, and
that many worthy clerks are not re-
ceiving their deserts, while those with
a pull" go steadily upward.
The general workings of the civil
service and its alleged failure to estab-
lsh the merit system for which 1t was
organized.
I'VE shall be glad to hear. and intend
to hear, the advocates OF the different
plans for reform. The committee then
will recommend legislation that will
remedy the unsatisfactory conditions
that admittedly exist today"
According to Chairman Goodwin, the
committee probably will hold sessions
throughout the entire summer and will
sit during the recess of Congress. In
event there is an early adjournment.
The inquiry is to be thorough, sweep
ing, drastic, and will be predicated upon
the theory that the committee cpnfronts
a real task with a real subject for IN
vestigation.