The Washington times., 1912-11-10
STATUS OF CIVIL SERVICE WORKERS.

Washingtons great population of Government
employees, their friends, and the people with whom
they do business, are keenly concerned to know the
possible effects of a change of political complexion
of the national administration. 1t is well that the
worst should be known and recognized On the
other hand, nothing would be more unfortunate
than exaggerated reports that large segment OF the
Capitals population is in imminent danger Of being
summarily turned out of its means of earning live
lihood
Let this whole proposition be stated in new
way Suppose Washington were just an ordinary,
average American city of $4,000 population, en-
dowed with the ballot, running its own affairs. Sup
pose that for sixteen years one political party had
been in undisturbed control of the municipal admin
iStration. Suppose that on Tuesday last complete
change had been effected in the election, and new
party had been voted into control of the entire Gov
ernment.
A LARGER PROPORTION OF THE POPULA-
TON OF THAT AVERAGE AMERICAN CITY
WOULD BE CONFRONTED WITH DANGER OF
LOSING ITS JOB" BY REASON OF THAT
CHANGE IN MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION,
THAN FACES A LIKE DANGER IN WASHING
TON TODAY.
This fact cannot be too strongly emphasized
Nothing short of utter ignorance or complete aban-
donmen to misrepresentation can explain any state
ment to the contrary.
In the entire governmental population of Wash
ington, including the great Federal establishments
the municipal government and all, there are fewer
people Who need entertain fear about losing positions
which they are competent to fill, than there would
be in ordinary city Of like population.
This is true, of course, because the protecting
arm of civil service reformation has been extended
over almost the entire Government employing estab
lishment. 1t is true that regime of spoilS-seekine
might concevaby overturn the laws that today pro
tect alike the employees and the business of the Gov
ernment 1t would not be impossible, theoretical!
or consttutonay, for the Government to repeal the
civil service enactments and run amuck among the
workers. But in fact it is about likely to happer
as the garrison at Fort Myer is to march over tc
Capitol Hill March and prevent the Inauguration
of President Wilson. Just about.
There is more danger of earthquake or
landslide wreckng this town, than there is of ar
incoming Administration going out to sacrifice botl
the Governments business and its faithful workers,
is the way General Black, head of the Civil Service
Commission put it to The Times.
The Government service can't be tossed up in
blanket just for amusements sake, simply because
year by year that service has come to be more ant
more service Of experts The whole establishment
to quote General Black again, is built around thi
army of clerical workers. Political heads and polit
ical policies will change but the business will be TIT
same under one Administration as under another
and it must be performed. 1t would be just as sen
sble for huge business corporation to discharg
all its force of trained, skilled, and expert worker
and turn into their positions army of new an
utterly inexperienced ones, as for the Federal Gov
ernment to undertake revolution in the personne
of the civil service Nothing could contribute more
at the very outset to insure the failure of any ad
ministraon.