Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-15
PRESIDENT VETOES
LEGISLATIVE BILL
Message Sent to the House OF
Representatives After Re-
vision by the Cabinet.
SEVEN-YEAR TENURE
OF CLERKS DISAPPROVED
Objection Also Made to Abolition
of the Commerce Court.
MUCH CARE GIVEN MESSAGE
Aim of the Executive to Present
Strongest Possible Argument
for the Tribunal
Objection Also Made to Abolition
of the Commerce Court.
MUCH CARE GIVEN MESSAGE

President Taft's veto of the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation bill
because of its provision for seven-year
tenure for government clerks and for the
abolition of the Commerce Court was
sent to the House of Representatives this
afternoon.
The Presidents message is as follows:
TO the House of Representatives:
return herewith, without my approval.
III. X. 2iG2i. entitled An act making ap-
propriatiOns for the legislative, executive
and judicial expenses of the government
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1912,
and for other purposes This is one of
the great supply bills necessary for the
maintenance of the government. and 1t
goes without saying that nothing but
reasons of especial Importance would lead
me to interpose objections to its passage.
'1n u message returning the army ap-
rropriation bill to the House of Repre-
sentatives with my objections to its ap-
proval. under date of June IL, 1912, / VEN
tured to point out the dangers inherent
in the practice of attaching substantive
ation to appropriation bills, and 1
need not repeat them here. 1t is suf-
hcient TO say. however. that when it Is
thought wise by Congress to include III
general supply bills important substan-
tive legislation, and the executive cannot
approve such legislation, it is his con-
stitutional duty to return the bill with
his objections. and the responsibility for
delay in the appropriation of the neces-
sary expenses to run the government can
not rest upon the executive, but must be
put where it belongs. upon the majority
in each house of Congress that has de-
parted from the ordinary course and
united with an appropriation bill amend
ments to substantive law.
Cannot Be Forced.
The importance and absolute necessity
of furnishing funds to maintain and op-
crate the government cannot be used by
the Congress to force upon the executive
acquiescence in permanent legislation
which he cannot conscientiously approve.
There are two provisions in this bill
which l cannot permit to become law
with my approval. One concerns the per-
manent statutory regulation of the tenure
Of office of those now included within
the classified service in the departments
and Independent establishments of the
government within the District of CO.
lumbia- The other is provision repeal
Ing the statute creating a Commerce
Court to consist of five circuit judges.
from the decisions of the interstate COM
merce commission.
First. by section of this act, the
civil service commission is directed. SUBJ
Ject TO the approval of the President, to
establish a system of efficiency ratings
for the classified service in the several
executive departments in the District OF
Columbia based upon records kept in
each department and independent estab-
lishmept with such frequency as to make
them as nearly as possible records of
tact
Efficiency to Rule.
The system is 10 provide a minimum
rating OF efficiency which must be at
tanned by ernpioye before he may be
promoted rating below which no en-
ploye may fall without being denoted,
and rating below which no employe
may fall without being dismissed for in
efficiency.
All promotions demotions or dis
InIssals are to be governed by pro-
visions of the civil service rules. Rec
ords Of efficiency are to be furnished
bN the departments and independent
esta bli ishments To the civil service COM
mission
This section is an admirable sec
uon, and, il properly carried out. will
greatly Improve the present civil serv-
ice.
Section D. however. introduces new
and radical feature into the present
system IL provides that every ap
polntment in the classified service,
after the 1st Of September of next
year, shall be for term of seven
years. after the probationary period of
six months has expired and that at the
expiration of each such appointment
the employment of each person so ap-
pointed shall cease and determine, and
that the employment of all persons
appointed prior To September L.
1912. in such classified service,
al annual rates of compensat tion
shall cease and determine within one year
after August 81. 1919. the date of ter
mindtion during that year TO be deter
mined by the head of the appropriate de-
partment according TO previous length Of
service. The cessation of employment
and the ending of the term in these cases
is absolute without regard to efficiency
rating under section 4. but section >
contains the proviso that all persons
separated by its terms from the classified
service. il they are up to the standard OF
efficiency then i'm force and capable OF
rendering fun measure of service. may.
IN tine discretion of the head of the
executive department.. be reappointed
without examination for another term OF
seven Years.
Effect of the Section.
The effect of this section is TO leave il
/" the discretion of the head of the de-
partmcnt in the case of each classified
1t h. nd ,,Fk h