Evening journal., 1913-06-11
DEMOCRATS AND posrorfIcFs.

~T~HE National Civil Service Reform League Is not in
accord with President Wilson's plan 60 compel
all fourth-cass postmasters who put under the
civil service by President Taft undergo examina-
tions to fitness There about $4,000 such post
masters. In statement issued the League says il
has doubts as TO the praccability OF tie plan
Of competitive examinations for such pos,masters
vided in the executive order May T.. II asserted
by the League that Il will be extremely costly and
laborious, involving It does examinations for over
10000 pcstonices. These examinations simple IN
character. for many, If not all, o. the posofces
Il will require personal visit to determine the rela-
tive advantages Of the Offices, both TO location and
to facilities. Tho Civil Service Commission IS not
equipped TO perform this work aud large increase
in appropriations will bo required for the Commits
sion's examining force and for the postofco nspec
who make the examination for the lower paid Of
fees.
The examinations are to be conducted state by
State and will without doubt take months Il years
to complete There is, furthermore no guarantee that
the plan will result in increasing the efficiency of this
branch OF the postal service This IS due the fact
that under the present regulations the PostmasterGen-
eral may appoint any Of the three candidates
standing highest on the eligible list If a present IN
cumbent therefore. should pass the examination with
the highest rating. It will be within the power Of the
Postmaster General to replace him by either Of the
other two on the list.
II the plan is fairly executed, however, the League
says, It should greatly improve the administration Of
the postofices. The League viii watch with great
interest the working out Of the regulations and
hopes that its doubts as to the feasibility Of the plan
will prove groundless.
The League notes with qualification the statement
Of the Postmaster-Genera that is his desire to
cure the classification OF postmasters of the second
and third class. 1t further than the Post
master-Genera however, in fayoring the classihca-
ton OF postmasters OF the first class we'll and
OF all local officers like collectors of customs and coll
lctors Of internal revenue who do not have to do
with the determination Of the policies Of government
It feels that such extensions would. without doubt
result in material decrease in the cost Of govern
ment and marked increase in efficiency. 1t will
doubtodly require legislation to enable the President
70 include these offices within the competitive classl-
fed service and the League is pledged to render all
the assistance in It's power to secure this result
II the Democrats would extend the civil service to
the hrst-cass postofces before they have been filled
with Democrats by President Wilson, the suggestion
made would be all right, as most Of the Republicans
who now hold those Offices. like Postmaster Jester
of this city. for instance. would be able pass al
most any examination provided IT, however. the plan
that meets with the favor Of the League merely is to
remove the present Republican ncumbents, fiji their
places with Democrats and then provide such
examinations as will continue those Democrats in
Office indefinitely it will not meet with the favor of the
public