Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-13
IS FAVORED !:
TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY
The Civil Service Commission
Urges Redistribution of
Salaries.

The annual report Of the civil service
commission, which has just been made
public. joins the President and the Post
master General in recommending legis-
lation to permit the classification Of
first, second and third class postmasters
and supports earnestly the Presidents
recommendation to Congress that power
be given him to classify local officers
whose appointments are now subject to
confirmation by the Senate, favoring the
classification Of all except those respon-
sible for the policy Of the administra-
ton.
Legislation looking to increased eff
cheney in the service. especially re-
classification Of salaries in accordance
with the work performed. with enough
grades to insure frequent promotions,
some provision. for retirement, and pro-
motion on merit to the higher positions
is urged.
Redistribution of Salaries.
In it's argument for a reclassif1cation of
salaries the commission states that the
present classification was adopted in 1853
under different conditions, and shows the
inequalities resulting at the present time.
Such a Redistribution as that recon-
mended by the Keep commission. which
was reported favorably to the House OF
Representative by the committee on
department methods, is favored by the
commission. and is considered prerequisite
to the establishment of any uniform plan
of promotion on merit After such a re-
classification the commission fayors pro-
motions in the service on the basis of
efficiency records kept and harmonfzed
by a supervisory body.
Satisfaction Is expressed with the re-
suits of the application of the merit sys-
tenn to the diplomatic and consular Serv-
ices by presidential order. and the COM
mission is heartily in accord with Presi-
dent Taft in his desire, expressed in his
recent message, that the system be
adopted by law.
Political Activity Of Employees.
The portion of the report dealing with
political activity Of employees shows an
increase in the number Of cases investi-
gated by the commission. most of them
of minor character. which it ascribes to
increased facilities for detecting viola
tons, fuller cooperation of the depart
ments and greater public sympathy.
rather than a growth in the actual num-
Der. 1t recommends the extension of the
restriction on political activity to officers
now unCiaSSlned.
Though the total number of temporary
appointments Increased during the year.
according to the report, there was
marked decrease in their number in
Washington, and the careful administra-
ton of the rule limited the number to
such as were for the good of the service.
The value of the district system where
by twelve centers of administration and
information are maintained, each In touch
with the service and the public in its ter
ritofy, Is shown. the result being increas
ed expedition, stability, economy and
efficiency in the service.
1t is shown that the large number of
clerks I'm Washington required for the
recent census were readily supplied
through the examination system.
The difficulties in maintaining an exact
apportionment Of appointments according
to population are explained with the
statement that the commission earnestly
endeavors to maintain the apportionment