The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-08
Fourth Class Postmaster
ships Open to Competi-
tive Examination
EXECUTE, r ORDER
WILL BE ISSUED
Burieson Explains Attitude of Presi-
dent WisOn-plaecs~A Limit
for Appeint mepts at
Sixty Five

Washington May 7-All fourth class
postmasters. except those paying less than
$3.50 a year were thrown open u COM
pettive examinations by an order issued
TO-DAY by President Wilson. These posi-
tions are retained in the classified service
but about 5o0eo incmbents who we're
covered" into the classified service by
executive orders Of previous admlnistra-
tons viii have to meet all couiers In
competitive examination to hold their
positions with civil service protection
In a statement making this order pub
lie, Postmaster General Bureson an
nouneed that It was the purpose of Presi-
dent Wilson and himself to extend the
classified service to include presidential
postmasters of the second and third class
probably within year This may re-
ouire legislation by Congress. he said
His plan. which will be laid before the
President, would provide for an edualifI-
cation test for the ineumbents, and appli-
cations in keeping with the importance
of the offices
Divided Into Classes
Under President Taft's order of October
10, 1872, fourth class postmasters we're
divided into two classes, class "A" those
drawing more than $500 and class "B, =
those drawing less than $500. Competitive
examinations We're prescribed for future
applications for class "A" appointments
while the class b petitions were TO be
inspectors.
Todays order leaves only the offices
paying $50 or less TO be He'd upon in
spectors' recommendations.
Rules and regulations to govern the ad-
mnistration of the new order will he
worked out and announced by the civil
service commission as soon al possible.
In MS statement, the Postmaster Cen
eral said:
II feel that President Tafts order of
October 10 last, did not go far enough
in that it failed to apply a merit sys-
tenn to the entire service 1t WAS aimed
to cover. 1t had the effect Of placing
within the classified service a large MUM
Der OF postinasrers VINO have not been
required TO demonstrate their fitness for
such appointments Fundamentally, a
reform movement has for its purpose the
lighting of an existing wrong. Therefore
if the application of the merit system tc
the postal service was needed in order
to correct an existing evil. then the
scope of the order affecting the change
should have been broad enough to have
corrected as far as possible the condition
then existing as result of the former
system as well as to accomplish the de-
sired results in the future.
Political Consideration
Political considerations have in the
past very largely controlled the selection
of fourth class postmasters, and undet
this order democrats must be held re
sponsble for the wise and safe admins
tration of these offices.
Under the circumstances the Taft order
violated the fundamental principla
of the civil service law because it placed
permanently in office without examina-
tion or other test as to merit or efficiency
a great horde of persons. If left in this
condition and permitted to operate with
out proper examination into its workings.
the order would make honest civil service
farce and prove a set back to its proper
administration and future progress. My
effort is to correct the evil and save the
merit of the order and duly safeguard
civil service and efficiency
Washington. MAJ 7.-Postmaster Gem
eral Burleson announced today that it
himself to take into the classified service
probably during the next year all post
masters of the second and third classes.
Fourth class offices already have been
covered by executive order,
After conference with the President
To-Day Postmaster Burleson announced
that an executive order would be issued
recurring that all fourth class postmast-
ers now in office or candidates for pros
pectiVe appointments should he subject
ed to a competitive examination to deter
mine their fitness for the office.
The Postmaster General issued state
ment explaining the purpose of the new
executive order. declaring that Presi-
dent Taft's action in putting the fourth
class postmasters in the classified SER
vice was not sufficient, and that the
mere placing of IA great horde of per-
sons in the classified service was not in
conformity with he spirit of the civil
service as there were no tests to deter
mine the merits of the applicants"
The new order, which substantially
amends the Taft executive order, re-
tains in the classified service all fou- h
class postmasters, but specifically re-
quires competitive examination and a
selection by postoffiee inspectors from
among the first three eligible applicants
The order places the age limit for APP
pointees at 60 years.
Mr. Burleston in his discussion of the
indicates that the Wilson ad-
wishes to take the fourth
class postmasters out of politics, but
points out that democrats. as we'll as re-
publicans, will have an opportunity un-
der competitive examinations TO show
their fitness.