Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-27
SHAKE-UP IS FELT
|NPENS|ON OFFICE
Politics Said to Be Cause Of
Demotions of Division
Chiefs.
COMMISSIONER AWAY,
OFFICIALS TAKE ACTION
Civil Service Rules Said to Have
Been Smashed to Effect
Transfers.

Transfers.
Wholesale transfers OF chiefs Of divls
sions in the pension office to lower posi-
tions have been effected during the past
week. The changes were made, IL was
declared last night. because the politics
of the men removed did not agree with
that Of the present administration. In
! many instances. 1t was declared, even
clerks Of the higher grades have been
denoted both in position and salary be-
cause of their politics, ana the heavy In
fluence of politics" is reported to have
even reached civil war veterans. Acting
Commissioners Of Pensions e. c. Tieman
said last night that politics was consid-
cred in making promotions.
While a number of the chiefs who were
removed to make way for democrats SO
far have been permitted to receive their
salaries as chiefs. several OF them had
their salaries reduced along with their
transfer to other positions in the bureau.
Get Big Promotions.
Those who were talked with last
night concerning the changes de-
clared that $1.400 clerks In some In
stances were promoted to jobs at
$4,000. where republicans were taken
out just to make way for the new in
cumbents.
Although 1t was reported that tho
employees Of the bureau were called
upon by acting chief clerks. and put
through an extended quiz as to their
politics and powers to "wield influence"
this was not confirmed, although those
who admitted last night that they had
been relieved of their jobs and trans
ferred to other duties in the pension
bureau explained that their politics
was not in accordance with the pres
ent administration, one man even ad-
mitting that he had voted the progress
sive ticket at the last election. They
explained that their politics was well
known to those In authority. and u
war not necessary to conduct q Quis to
ascertain their status.
Commissioner Absent.
The officials now In charge OF t.,e pen
sion office began making the changes dur.
ing the past week in the absence Of Com
missioner Salxgaber II was declared. Men
who have long been In tim civil service
and have worked their way TO chiefs of
divisions have been relieved OF their Jobs
Of authority and have. been placed IN Or.
the pen. and It il said men OF democratic
beliefs have been put in their places. So
far as could be learned last night all OF
those who were selected to flll the vacan-
cies Of the transferred chiefs were civn
service men.
Employees OF the bureau who were APP
preached with the report last night were
inclined to be a little cary about talking
on the subject They feared the publ'ca-
ton Of interviews with them concerning
the changes might result In further re-
ductions.
Politics Evident Reason.
my politics was well known in tho
bureau said one OF the former chiefs
last night "T was not asked any ques-
tions, but On last Tuesday a notice came
to me explaining that ! would be relieved.
Although no explanation or reason was
given for my transfer. it is evident that
1t is politics.
commissioner Saltzgaber is away. and
this action has been taken .u-ing rs
absence. and. so far as wa, alb
learn. he has not yet approved IL Ths
man admitted that he was receiv n =
same salary as when he was chi r ut
he declared there was no telling Gen
that would also be reduced.
II was declared that no attemnf w1s
made to hide the reason for the changes,
and IL was to be be expected thai ny
clerks from the democratic states C u |
'feel safe" in their positions ne
changes and transfers among the chiefs
OF divisions and higher clerkships. 1t vas
asserted, practically mar"ed the begin
n.ng Of further changes In the lower
grades, which, in many cases would
affect civil war veterans.
Give Names Of OHicials.
Some of the pension Office employees.
who were talked to last night used freely
the names Of the officials said to be re-
sponsible for the changes. all OF whom
are new men, who have just assumed
their positions.
Civil service protection was smashed IN
every direction by the officials OF the bu-
reau, 1t was declared, and no one with
ont influence was immune from the prunr
ing knife. While II seems to be under
stood among those who seem to be Ia
miliar with the condition of affairs In the
pension Office that there will be further
changes, as the politics OF other employees
are queried into. the BELIEF is expressed
further that 1t will reach other bureaus
Of the Interior Department.
Acting Commissioner of Pensions Z.
|C. Tieman declared last night that the
changes marked the beginning OF
and declared that II would undoubtedly
extend further He denied. however.
that he had touched civil war veterans
or even intended to denote them.
Reason for Changes.
Asked the reason for the changes
Mr.. Tieman replied:
There IL no reason further than that
the changes were made along the line
Of what we believe Will be better
ment of the service.
ssWaa politics considered In any way
whatever. in making the changes?
Mr.. Tieman was asked.
s'Weli, yes." responded MT Tieman.
after . nause. "I should say that pol
ifics was considered In a measure In max
inr the changes" While the acting COM
missioner declared that the politics or
those transferred was not hrst ascer-
tained before making the changes. ne
would not attempt to explain the coincl-
dance ~ ali of the bureau chefs who
were transferred being either republicans
or progressives.
Forced to Change Places.
CHARLES F. Whitney. medical referee
at s3 600 a year. and DR.. Featherstone-
bough. an examining surgeon at 5000
,r the bureau, according to Mr.. Tieman.
we're ordered to change places. Latilner
r stone chief OF the army and navy d.
vision: Joseph A. Scott, chief OF the re-
moya division; Alvin L. Craig. chief OF
the special examination division. and Al
relieved as chiefs. q. o. Taylor Of Kan
sas was promoted TO b disbursing clerk.
according 60 Mr.. Teman-
While the salaries Of the ehtefs who