New-York tribune., 1912-01-18

ascertain,ng whether candidates for APP
pointment possessed the requisite qualifica-
lions for government positions. Since then
Il mas come to he universally admitted that
entrance To almost every subordinate posi-
tion in the public service should be de-
pendent upon the proof in some appropriate
wav of ability OF the appointep
As yet, however, little II any attempt
has been made by law to secure either for
the higher administrative positions ~ the
service al Washington or for local OtnCes,
he qualifications which the inUumbents of
these positions must have II the business
of the government is TO be conducted In
the most efficient and economical manner.
Furthermore. in the case OF many OF the
local officers the law positively PROVIDES
that the term of Office shall bc Of four
years duration
The next step which much be taken is 10
require Of heads Of bureaus IN the depart
ments at Washington, and Of most of the
local officers under the departments, quail
flcations Of capacity similar TO those now
required OF certain heads OF bureaus ana
cf local officers. The extension of tn meTit
system to these officers and a needed read
iustment OF salaries will have important
effects I'm securing greater economy ana
efficiency
In I'M, first place, the pos session by th@ IN
curnbentS Of these positions Of ln" requisite
qualifications must in itself promote ELL
cheney.
officers from the realm Of political patron
age i'm many cases would reduce the paNrol
n 4
the inCumbents Of many of these positions
leave the actual performance OF many OF
their duties 10 deputies and assistants
The government often pays two persons Tor
doing work that could easily be done bl
one What is the loss to the government
cannot be stated. but that II is very large
cannot be denied. when II IS remembered
how numerous are the local ohlccrS III tmt
postal customs. internal revenue. puhhc
lands and other field services OF the gov
Crnment. a.,
In the third place so long as local officers
are u itbiu the sphere OF political patronage
II is difficult TO consider the question OF IN"
,Sta blishment or disCOntinuance OF io'di
Offices apart from the effect upon locai
political situations. ,-,,,
offices are TO he filled as result OF po-
IiticaI considerations has for lts cons
duence the necessity that the President allI
members Of Congress devote TO matters o'
patronage time which they should devote
10 questions Of policy and administration.
The greatest economy and efficiency. ana
the benefits which may accrue rom W
Presidents devoting his tim" 10 llc ""I
which is most worth while. may ne ~
sured only by treating all the diShn'l.N
administrative officers III inc d'PdI 'IIl'.''S
at Washington and ia the field in the Sal''
way as inferior officers have been hea'eu.
The time has come when all tines" onCeiS
should be placed in the ClasSihed service
The time has also come Whel 'IoSC, pIo
visions Of law which give to iheS" omCcrH
q fvod torn of Years should be- repeated
SO long as fixed term is provided ny "a"
the question of reappoutment OF an ON
Ger. no matter how efficiently he may ma
performed his duties. will inevitanN ~
raised periodically. So long as appolhl.
mentS TO these offices must he connrme"
bv the Senate. and 50 long as appoint
ments 10 them must he made every iour
wears. lust so long will IL he Impossible
10 provide a force OF employees with req ,
sonably permanent tenure VINO are qua
fed by reason OF education and training 10
do the best work.
Attention has heen directed lH leCen' I
wears to the need Of a suitable plan or re-
firing the suDcrannuatcd employees IN the
executive civil service. In the belleI lnd'
II is desirable that any steps TOWARD the
establishment OF such plan ShaII ne IaR'h
with caution. / instructed the commission
70 make an inquiry first into the Condl-
tions at Washington. This inquiry mas
been directed to the aSCertainmcnt or lle
extent to which supcrannuaiion now cNi~tS
and TO the consideration OF the aNallabli-
itv OF the various plans which eltn"f nav"
lecD Droposcd for adoption IN this Couh-
try or have actually been adopted in "tNcr
countries ! shall submit in IN" near nut
urc for the consideration Of the congress
"a plan for the retirement OF aEea en-
moves in tho civil service which VIII SAFE
guard the interests OF the government ana
yt tho same time make reasonable Prov
sion for the needs Of those who nave gwen
the best part Of their lives 20 On" service
Of the state.