Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-06
BATTLE Of SPO|LS
BEFORE PRESIDENT
Mr.. Wilson Seeks Advice Of
Members Of Civil Service
Commission.
NOMINATIONS THIS WEEK
FOR DIPLOMATIC POSTS
Virginia and Alabama Patronage
Questions Are Taken to the
White House.

Questions Are Taken to the
White House.
Through conference with Civil Service
commissioners McIlhenny and Galloway
and otherwise, President Wilson is seek
Ing light upon protests reaching him from
civil service reform organizations and In
dividuals a. to passed and pending leg1s-
lation touching employees Of government.
The two commissioners were with the
President some time today.
The President has received q protest
from the National Civil Service Reform
League against the provision OF the In
come tax section Of the tariff law per-
hitting the selection Of employees for that
work outside the civil service laws and
regulations, and permitting them to be
used upon regular work when considered
necessary.
Contention Of League.
It is claimed by the league that under
this provision 1t is possible for the Treas
ury Department to avoid the eligible
lists Of the civil service entirely by max
ZIG SCA tdaiA appointments 6IlQ dSSA8uAo8
the persons appointed to general internal
revenue work. thereby jeopardizing the
positions OF civil service employees and
making II possible to retain political ia
voFites to the detriment Of those who
entered the service through merit
The tar1n bill having become law, the
EFFORTS of the civil service people will be
directed toward inducing the President to
direct such limitations In tho execution
OF the provision as will absolutely protect
employees In the regular service and pre-
vent the free transfer OF income tax roll
employees to regular work. This IL one Of
the things the President considered with
the commissioners this morning.
The fact is pointed out today by demo-
cratic callers at the White House that
the protest against the income tax roll
ought not receive much attention at the
White House In view OF the fact that
under the Roosevelt and Taft adminis-
trations Congress provided. in the case OF
the denatured alcohol and corporation
tax laws. for appointment OF employees
for the enforcement OF those laws out
side the civil service, the employees later
being included in the service. The civil
service commission, with Mr.. McIlhenny
a member at that time, objected, but the
White House paid little attention.
Protest by Commission.
A strong protest from the civil ssrv-
Ice commission itself and from civil
service reformers relates to the provi-
sion in the urgent deficiency bill. now
In conference In Congress. exempting
deputy collectors Of internal revenue
and customs and deputy United States
marshals from civil service pr0tec-
ton. This bill Is about to pass and
the commission has recorded itself In
most pointed fashion against such an
exemption. It Is ascertatned that from
1000 to 1.200 deputy collectors could
be replaced by persons not on the eligi-
Is signed by the President ~
: No information was obta1nable as to
what position the President Will take
about the matter. 1t was not known
at the White House today whether the
be able at this stage Of the legisla-
ton to interfere and stop the provision.
It Is quite doubtful that he would veto
the urgent deficiency bill because OF
the provision. He has been advised
that the provision il In conflict with
hie right to withdraw from or In
corporate into the civil service when
ever he deems best. The provision. IL
passed, may be submitted to the De-
partment Of Justice Tor. interpre5suon1:
is said. that the President need not
abide by the provision II he regards
It as improper or unwlse.
To Get Diplomatic Posts.
A number Of Important diplomatic nomi-
nations are regarded as probable this
week. Among these will be H. M. Pindel.
the Illinois editor, for ambassador to
Russia: Brand Whitlock. mayor Of Toledo
and writer. for minister to Belgium, and
w. F.. McCombs, chairman Of the demo.
cratic national committee, for ambassa-
dor to France. Mr.. McCombs has de-
clined this hono2 several times. but the
President has held the position open for
him should be change his mind. which
he Is understood to have done. Mr.. Mo
Combs has been In France most OF the
summer, under medical treatment at
Paris and elsewhere.
Senators Swanson and Martin Of vir-
ginia conferred with President Wilson to-
day about Virginia patronage matters that
mendationS will be disposed OF by the
administration at an early date. Repre-
sentative Clayton of Alabama also dis
cussed patronage with the President, 60.
been urged for Alabama offices: Mr..
Clayton does not agree with Senator
eressional delegation, including Mr.. Clay
ton. later called on the President to ask
him to give a good place IN the govern
moY7t service 70 InOH1A8 0t8llu8S, WNo
was so long In q confidential capacity IN
the Senate with Senator johnson, who
died recently. The President referred his
visitors to Secretary Lane. WHO IL ex-
pected to take care OF the ALBANIAN.
Invited to Birmingham.
Frank p. Glass. the Birmingham news
paper editor, asked President Wilson to
stop at Birmingham when he goes to
Mobile to attend the Southern CONNER
cial Congress, October n. The President
said that IL he went to Mobile at all he
would not be able to make stops an route
or returning.
President Wilson's itinerary for his
southern trip was arranged today. He
will leave here early Saturday. October
20, for Philadelphia, where he viii speak
at the rededication ceremony ct Congress-
Hall, departing that night for Mobile.
whore he will arrive Monday. October -.
The President will spend the day IN
Mobile, delivering. an address on rural
credits before the Southern Commercial
Congress He will leave In the evening
for Warrington. returning Wednesday,
October 20.
Puzzle over shipping Rebate.
Various interpretations Of the s per
cent rebate provided by the tariff law
for imports In American bottoms Are
being taken up by President Wilson and
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