Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-09
The Government as a Business.

In the course Of his statement before
the House appropriations subcommittee
in charge of the Legislative" appropria-
ton bill, explanatory of the estimates for
the civil service commission. Gen. John
C.. Black, president Of the commission. In
reply to q question by a member OF the
committee, stated that there are now un-
der the employ of the government of the
United States, excluding officers and en-
listed men in the Army, Navy and Marine
Corps. 469. 52S persons. This figure should
be studied with reference to the propo-
sition to place the employees of the gov
eminent on the basis of permanency OF
tenure. with an assurance Of some form
of old-age provision to prevent them from
suffering from the effects of superan-
nuation without relief from active duty.
Here is a business establishment en-
listing the services of nearly half a mil
lion people. Probably 100000 of them-a
low estimate-are in minor grades of the
service. occupying subordinate positions
of a more or less technical character and
calling for some degree of training. 1t
would seem to be natural desire on the
part Of those charged with responsibility
for the conduct of this great institution
to seek the most businesslike plan to pro-
mote efficiency. Yet so strong is the
habit of regarding public position as pa
tronage or political spoils that 1t is ap-
parently impossible for many legislators
to consider this as business proposition.
They cannot grasp the concept Of the
government as a working corporation.
They agree readily to the proposition
generally that it pays an employer to
make some sort of provision for his elder
workers. either by apprOpriating a retire
ment fund out of his own revenues or re-
quiring his employees to provide thus for
themselves or by combining the two
methods. They do not deny that such an
arrangement makes for a higher grade of
workmanship and better conditions gen.
orally, and yet when it is suggested that
the government undertake some such
means Of preventing the congestion I the
ranks through the retention of the elder
workers from a feeling of charity and
out of recognition for loyalty. they at
tempt to differentiate between the two
classes of business.
There Is no actual difference between
public and private workers in regard to
their needs. There is no difference be-
tween them to their potential eff
cheney. There is no difference with ref
erence to the desirability of retaining the
experienced and thus setting a premium
upon continuous service. None of those
who, now sitting in Congress are opposed
to the idea Of departmental retirement
would, in their own business affairs,
think of changing their forces periodically
for the mere sake Of changing or to
reward political friends. Most Of Them if
working on a large scale. would try to
hold their employees in service by assur-
ing them Of gradual promotions and ulti-
mate retirement. But when it comes to
dealing with other peoples business a
different idea prevails.
Yet is not the government the imme-
date personal affair of every citizen? 1t
is surely the affair Of representatives and
senator's who have been formally chosen
by the people to represent them in its
management They are sitting at the
Capitol virtually as the board of directors
Of corp ration. and they should regard
this matter of provision for the elder
government workers precisely as do the
men who have been selected by the stock
holders Of a company to manage it's af-
fairs