Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-06

tracted to the service. he maintained. II
their tenure Of ONCE 10 not assured
This provision is hardly fair , to the the
Senate" Mr.. Burton argued. As the Dill
came from the House. It contained . pro
vision for . five-year tenure OK once. Inc
limited tenure by striking out that pro-
Vision and with practical unanimity vot-
ing down a substitute along the same
line. This works such q revolution In the
ing our desire to end the session. the
conference report should be rejected and
the bill sent back to conference"
Cd Nj Burton as defender OF the pro-
posed limited tenure. The real issue. ne
said, was q civil pension. Back Of the
opposition to the limited tenure principle,
he said. was plan for a civil service re-
Taking the civil service by and large.
continued Mr.. Williams, 1T Is wonderfully
efficient and industrious. fully up to the
standard.
approximation or Pensions.
but IL we continue the present sys-
tenn, we must have a worthless lot or
approximation or a civil pension list. The
people OF this country are not ready for
1t until they accept the general old-age
pension plan. They will not think it ever
just to put a man on a retirement list be-
cause of approximation simply because
he has been on the government pay roll
and not put on such a list the old boot
maker, the teacher and others.
Senator Williams agreed with the critics
of the provision that there was no real
reason limiting the application of the
tenure principle TO the District of Column
bia
Senators Lodge and Root took issue
with Senator Williams and condemned
the limited tenure provision In strong
terms Mr.. Lodge took the position that
there should be some method to rid the
public service OF the superannuated. and
he expressed his disapproval OF accom-
plishing that purpose by the establish
ment OF a civil pension
Defects and Dangers.
But / want now to discuss the defects
and dangers OF this provision for seven
year tenure provision. however. good its
object is Mr.. Lodge continued. I think
this Senate provision for efficiency rat
ings, governing promotions, demonitions
and dismissals. is wise provision, which
largely meets the situation. 1t accom-
plishes the removal of the inefficient. l
recognize the right of removal exists and
that the heads of departments should be
gwen some Way 10 remove the lIiciIClcut
But the error of this provision Is that
il doesn't require the head of a depart
ment TO reappoint the efficient. The re-
appointment is all left to the head of
department or bureau.
Senator Williams interrupted to ask II
q mandatory provision suggested by Mr..
Lodge would not interfere with the con-
Stitutional power of removal possessed
by the executive head of the government.
Mr. Lodge replied that he was not dis
c1lSSinX that DhaSp of The question at this
time.
The provision. as framed by the confer
ees. Mr. Lodge said. can have but one eff
feet. Those who are threatened with re-
moval will seek all the help and pull they
can.
And it's the inefficient that come here
for political help. not the efficient" COM
mented Mr.. Lodge.
THE provision he said in concluding
will deteriorate the whole civil service.
IT will make men struggle to get pressure
to keep them in Office. 1t Is not full
restoration of the spoils system. but 1t
restores this worst feature of obtaining
outside pressure.
Commends Efficiency Provision.
Senator Root also commended the pro-
vision for efficiency ratings to govern
changes in the civil service. but he had
only condemnation for the limited tenure
provision.
1T will be most Injurious to the morale
and efficiency of the service" he COM
mented. There is nothing here to i'm
pose the efficiency rating upon the head
of department, and he can reappoint
whom he pleases.
1T is complete subversion Of the
principle that efficiency and faithful and
efficient service shall entitle a person to
continuous service
Senator McCumber took I'D the cause
OF the conferees who recommended the
limited tenure provision. On the civil
service waiting list. he maintained. there
are not enough persons to fill l per cent
Of all the 10000 government positions.
1T would therefore be necessary to re-
appoint the efficient clerks. he urged, to
maintain the public service, as others
would not he available. to take their
places. II
The provision. he continued. is not a
return to the spoils system. Under that
system. he pointed out no examinations
are required for appointment to the gov
eminent service. The present examine
tions will still be continued. he urged,
and only those who pass can be APP
pointed
Senator McCumber caused a smile when
he remarked that he had examined some
OF the questions asked on the civil serv-
Ice examinations, and that 1.-The average
senator" could not reach the passing
mark and qualify under them.
Democratic View Presented.
Democratic opposition to the provision
in the conference report was voiced by
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia, but he
took a different basis for his opposition
In the first place. he said, the provision
does not go into effect for seven years
and that practically means that all the
inefficient as well as the efficient will be
given a seven-year commission. If lin
tied tenure Is to be adopted as a princi-
pie, he urged. a shorter term should be
fixed. so that the inefficient could be
turned out sooner.
Because IL does not go into effect for
seven years. Senator Smith urged
there ia no need TO put the legislation
on an appropriation bill and hurry it's
enactment He intimated that more
time should be taken to give the sub
ject thorough consideration.
Senator Cummins. who attacked the
limited tenure principle few days
ago, continued the attack today, and
sought to show the opposition Of a
majority of the civil service commits
sion TO the establishment OF such a
principle.
REPUBLICANS NAY CAUCUS.