Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-30

gard for other than political services
he has already taken most Of these
places out OF the Held Of political con-
troversy. Appointees to positions OF
this character in the treasury depart
partment have found It essential to
oblige themselves in advance to aid the
administration not by political service
but by strict attention to business.
Bank examiners. for instance. whose
duties are Of exacting and technical
nature, have been brought complete
~ 20 the standards Of the classified
service without being obligated by the
law to the observance Of the rules and
regulations Of the civil service commits
their dtness has been demonstrated by
rigid examinations prescribed by
comptroller Of the currency, Murray.
Their appointment carries with It
promise which is strictly enforced.
that. having taken the oath Of service.
they shall at once cease all active par
ticipation in partisan politics. The
recommendation for appointment are
made al heretofore by senator's and
representatives.: but these sponsors for
applicants are put on honor to recon-
mend only such as they know to be
qualified and capable Of passing the
prescs3hed Examination and a. may.
after appointment. be- spared from,
work IA the political field.
Others in the List.
Presidential appointments IN the cus-
toms service. including collectors. ap-
praisers. surveyors and naval officers.
gradually are being brought to the
same plane Of business efficiency. No
system Of examination has been de-
g. S,,t L. AhA
peal IS made to those with whom rests
the privilege Of recommendation. the
politicians with whom the president
and the secretary Of the treasury must
deal. The next step IL to impress the
appointee with the sincerity Of the de-
rnand made on him that his admins
tration. to rebound to the credit Of the
appointing power. must be conducted
on strict business principles ana not
for the beneflt OF lis Immediate politi-
cal friends. In the internal revenue
service the same principle has been
made to apply. a. well a in the minis
ana assay offices. Tho result has been
marked. An illustration moro striking
perhaps than any other Is afforded by
the reform accomplished In the New
York customs Office. embracing the
dismissal Of many incompetents. the
conviction Of dishonest employees. and
the adoption Of altogether new stand
ards OF morality by importers. with
the attendant increase In collections
this new reform along civil service
lines II to be permanent rather than Of
neeting nature Il evidenced by the COR
dial cooperation which 1t has received
from politicians whose recommended
lions have been made, readily and un-
hesitatingly, along tho lines desired BY
the president.
Taft's Record Unique.
! In other respects President Tafts
record as a civil service reformer may
wen be called unique. Not only have
numerous additions to the civil service
list been made thru the inclusion Of
certain classes Of postmasters, but the
initiative has been taken In another
ana distinctly novel line Of civil service
reform. This II the system Of retiring
allowances designed to rid tho service
OF persons lncapacitated for efficient
work b. reason Of approximation. The
presidents plan does not favor RETIRE
ment pensions for civil employee" to
be paid from the government treasury
But Il does contemplate tho grant Of
an allowance 10 tnose q she .e:-sce
who should no longer be there. It gives
them . small portion Of their salary
and makes the balance available Tor
the employment Of younger clerks in
the lower grades. It collects from al
those remaining in the service . Ger
tain per cent Of their pay. TO be placed
to the credit Of the contributors. In q
general fund. In case the contributor
Is separated from the service from any
cause before the ago retirement. hts
contribution IL repaid to him with In
terest. II he continues to the retire
ment aIe. IN allowance II assured him
Tho actuaries Of the treasury depart
ment nave demonstrated with accuracy
that the adoption Of his plan would
erect an immediate economy In the
cost Of the government service ane
would Ct ono sweep dispose OF the
criticism now leveled at the service t.
the eject that there 70 no provision TO
Riding Il Of employees whose useful
nsss. has been destroyed By reason c
aso ana who constitute . permaney
Burden on the service By being allowe
o. Som1in In It at the maximum p
Whach was theirs IN the hayday-