The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1911-03-17

selection Of the personnel of govern
ment organizations which has been
adopted by more than two hundred
cities and six state governments.
The commission joins with the pres
ident and the postmaster general in
recommending legislation to permit
the classification of first, second and
third class postmasters and supports
earnestly the presidents recommends
tion to congress that he be given power
to classify local officers whose ap-
pointments are now subject to confirm
alton by the senate, favoring the class
lification of all except those responsible
for the policy of the administration.
The commission urges legislation
looking to increased efficiency in the
service, especially a reclassification of
salaries in accordance with the work
performed, with enough grades to in
sure frequent promotions, some pro-
vision for retirement, and promotion
on merit to the higher positions.
In its argument for a reclassification
of salaries the commission states that
the present classification was adopted
in 1853 under different conditions and
shows the inequalities resulting at the
lpresent time. Such a reclassification
as that recommended by the keep COM
mission, which was reported favorably
to the house of representatives by the
committee on department methods, is
favored by the commission and is con-
sidered prerequisite to the establish
ment of any uniform plan of promotion
on merit. After such a reclassifica-
ton the commission favors promotions
in the service on the basis of efficiency
records kept and harmonized by su-
pervisory body.
Satisfaction is expressed with the
results of the application of the merit
system to the diplomatic and consular
services by presidential order and the
commission is heartily in accord with
President Taft in his desire, express
ed in his recent message, that the sys-
tenn be adopted by law.
The portion of the report dealing
with political activity of employees
shows an increase In the number of
cases investigated by the commission,
most of them of a minor character,
which it ascribes to increased facilities
for detecting violations, fuller co-opera-
Ition of the departments, and greater
public sympathy, rather than growth
| in the actual number Ie recommends
the extension of the restriction on po-
litical activity to officers now classi-
fled.
| Though the total number of tempo
rary appointments increased during
the year, according to the report, there
was a marked decrease in their number
in Washington, and the careful admin
Iistration of the rule limited the num-
Der to such as were for the good of
1.-THE service.
The value of the district system
whereby twelve centers of adminstra-
Ition and information are maintained,
each in touch with the service and the
Ipublic in it's territory, is shown, the
result being increased expedition, sta
bility, economy, and efficiency in the
Iservice.
The difficulties in maintaining an
exact apportionmens OF appointments
according to population are explained
with the statement that the commits
sion earnestly endeavors to maintain
the apportionment "as nearly as the
conditions of good administration will
Warrant" in accordance with the law.
The report closes with a discussion
Iof opinions rendered during the year
by the attorney general on questions
arising in the application of the civil
service law, among them being that
preference on honorable discharge on
account of wounds or sickness incur
Ired by soldiers or sailors in the line
of duty is the only preference allowed
by law; that this preference is not sub
lject to the apportionment and extends
over all others on the register irres-
Ipective of rating; that the residence
and domicile provisions of the census
Iact apply only to the opportioned serv-
ice at Washington and do not apply
to persons already in appertioned pos
itions; and that questions of domicile
are to be decided by the commission.
| MEXICAN GOVERNMENT To