Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-06
UNJUST TO Efficient :
AND FAlTHFUC WORKERS
Senator Warren Seeks to Have Con.
ference Report Adopted.
MANY HEARD IN OPPOSITION
Both Parties Represented in Denun-
citation Of Measure-Criticism
Of Provision Limiting Law
to the District.


As threatening to demoralize and bring
about deterioration OF the entire public
service and as unjust to the efficient and
faithful workers for Uncle Sam. demo-
cratic and republican senators today in
the Senate roundly condemned that fea-
ture of the conference report on the legis-
lative appropriation bill providing for n
seven-year tenure OF Office for civil serv-
ice employees.
Senator Warren sought TO have the
Senate approve today the conference
report with that provision. but the de-
bate on the clause took up all the time
allowed for it's consideration. 1t was
still before the Senate when the Pan
anna canal bill. as the unfinished busi-
ness. displaced 1t at noon. Another ef-
fort to get time for its consideration
will be made either late today or to-
morrow morning.
Todays debate showed that a large
number of senators will not accept the
principles OF limit tenure of ONCE as
framed by the couferees on the legislative
appropriation bill. Senators Root. Lodge,
Burton and Cummins. republicans. and
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia. demo-
crat. were its leading assaiiants today.
Cummins Reiterates Views.
Senator Cummins took up again today
his disagreement with the statement OF
Senator Warren. who is the chief advo-
cate of the provision I'm the Senate. that
the civil service commission approves the
Iplan. Mr. Cummins read from two letters
written to Senator Warren by Civil Serv-
ice Commissioners John 4. Mcflhenny and
&hAsr
strong disapproval of the limited tenure
principle. It seemed to be admitted that
Civil Service Commissioner Black II the
only member of the commission favorable
to the plan.
Senator John Sharp williams Of Mis-
sissippi was a chief defender of the
tenure clause today. 1t was his conten-
ton that such a plan was the only
feasible escape from the estaolisnmeht
OF a civil service pension system.
Senator Burton of Ohio, who has had
long experience with the executive de-
partments. began i'm strong denunciation
soon as the consideration OF the confer
ence report was called UP by Senator
Warren.
In the civil service provision. Senator
Burton said. there was such serious
mistake that the entire conference report
should be rejected by the Senate.
"'The civil service provision" he con-
tinued. must result in the deterioration
Of the service and to demoralization.
While am not sure that l can go as Tar
as the senator from Iowa In his statement
that il will bring back the spoils system.
am sure IT brings rotation In once, ana
that is the partner and twin brother OF
the spoils system"
Quotes From Jefferson.
For the benefit OF the democrats who
have been favoring the limited tenure
principle. Senator Burton referred to a
discussion of this subject by President
Jefferson The then executive head OF
the government was discussing law
which limited the term OF Office of gov
ernment officials that must be confirmed
by the Senate to four years; and Presi-
dent Jefferson referred to the measure
as "a mischievous law" which "saps the
constitutional powers of the President"
and which 'arouses horde OF hungry
ofhceseekers.
This objection applies with equal valid
fty to those positions filled by the ap-
pointment of heads of departments or bu-
reaus," continued Senator Burton. one
necessity of the civil service is that II
should afford a career or a life work
mo successful business could be op-
Grated under such q regulation as rs pro-
posed here The good workers and ofn-
GERS must he retained"
Senator Burton hinted at bad faith
on the part of those who were back or
ed tenure. II the provision were pre-
sented in good faith to improve the
efficiency of the service. he remarked.
why is there not a provision which
the efficient clerks at the end OF their
tenure Of Office AS il stands now, he
continued. efficiency Is ignored ana an
employe loses his position and Is AT
the tender mercies Of the head OF the
department or bureau in which he has
done his work
Limited to the District.
Another bad feature OF this provision
is that it is limited to the District or
Columbia" Senator Burton remarked
what have the officials in the District
done that they should be Disseminated
against in this manner?
II know there is an impression here
that the clerks spend much time in trying
to get raises of salary: that they give
a minimum Of service for maximum
OF pay. But there is no justification for
such condemnation. The opportunities
here are not the best and there is little
chance for promotion, but the employees
have shown : zeal and earnestness that
is worthy Of condemnation We certain
ly must have men who are willing to give
their lives to the departments of the gov
positions under the best auspices"
TIE result OF the legislation. Mr.. Bur-
ton continued, establishes one rule for
post office employees in the District-a
seven-y year tenure of office-and another
rule for the same kind OF employees In
Baltimore life or good behavior tenure.
sThere are other possibilities that lurk
In the provision that it would be wei %
note" Mr. Burton continued. After
spending six years and eleven months IN
the service in Washington an employe
might be trans erred to some place out
side Of Wasf ington. and the iimitauon
vould not apply. III there Is to be a linli.
tation on tenure-and would most decid.
edly oppose that--let us apply IL to all
federal employees in and out OF Washing
tom
Cites Other Objections.
Another point which Senator Burton in
sisted upon was that 1t is only by insur-
ing permanence in ONCE that the govern
ment will get the best service and the
best employees. Good men will not b At