Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-04
COMPETITIVE TEST
OPPOSED BY WRITER
Declares Apportionment Plan
Better Method for Cas-
Sified Service.

! To the Editor Of The Star:
Your editorial In Fridays Star on
the civil service has doubtless attract.
| ed wide attention and has also doubt
less given rise/t ito much discussion. par
ticularly among members of Congress
and government officials.
The Stars position, as / understand
1T, is this: That the apportionment
or representative plan should be aban-
doned. and in lieu thereof the higher
percentage examination plan should be
substituted. the same to be determined
by and through competitive examina
tiops; also that appointments should
be made irrespective of the residence
of the applicants: in other words, that
the only test of eligibility for these
positions, from The Stars standpoint.
would be efficiency. as tested by COM
petitive examinations.
AS ! do not agree with this PROPOSE
ton. but. on the contrary. contend that
it is radically and fundamentally
wrong, and as l also favor the appor-
tionment or representative plan, now
supposed to be in operation. with some
notifications. / beg leave to present
some of my reasons therefor.
IhSl, DCSduSc THIS UcIuk Il repre-
sentative government. it is essential
that we adhere to and observe that
principle, as far as practicable, in all
the departments of the government
Second, because the higher percent
age or competitive plan tends in
evitably not only to destroy the repre-
sentative plan, but to substitute in it's
place something closely resembling
centralisn, with it's concomitant evils,
to wit class distinctions, official COM
Indeed
strongly of the opinion that the prin-
cipal trouble with our civil service
system, as now conducted. is that 1T
has drifted into centralism, perhaps
unconsciously. The responsibility for
this as / claim. is due principally, If
not entirely. to the competitive ex-
aminations which have been held to
fill the various vacancies which have
from time to time occurred in the
classified service.
Competition Not True Guide.
Third. because competitive examina-
tons cannot be relied upon as true guides
or tests to determine the qualifications
of applicants for these positions. since
they only relate to the branches laugh
in the schools and colleges, and disclose
application. industry. fidelity, promptness
and accuracy-essentials. in fact. that
can only be ascertained after appoint
ment and trial of the applicant.
Fourth, because from experience, OBJ
servation and information, 1t is my con-
victiOn that as a rule, those who reach
the high er percentages in competitive ex-
aminatiOns, the high school or college
graduates, make the poorer clerks. while.
on the other hand, the most useful and
efficient clerks would not be able, as l
believe, to pass the prescribed eXamina-
tons.
Fifth. because I share the common be-
lief that many fail to pass the competi-
tive examinations owing to timidity or
nervousness resembling stage fright"
Expert knowledge Not Required.
Sixth, because of the enormous waste
Of time. effort and money involved in the
Quoted. and the opportunities afforded
hereunder for manipulation in favor of
personal or political friends.
Seventh, because the great majority.
probably nine-tenths, of the positions
within the classified service do not re-
quire expert knowledge on the part of
their incumbents; on the contrary, the
duties relating to these positions are Of a
mere routine character and can as well
be discharged by persons OF ordinary in
telhgence as by those of greater pre-
tensions; indeed. it may safely be assert
ed that for the prompt and proper dis
charge of the duties connected with these
positions the former are the better fitted
and the more reliable.
IT is. therefore, my contention that
instead OF doing away with the ap-
portionment or representative plan we
should adhere to it and do what may
be necessary to improve and strength
en- it. As step in that direction, /
suggest that appointments to fill
vacancies in these positions be made
carter proper examinations, of course)
on the recommendations of the mem
bers of Congress representing the dis
tricts entitled to the positions under
the apportionment plan instead of
from the eligible list after competitive
examinations.
Course Pursued at Academies.
This is the course now pursued. with
general approval. / believe. in regard
to the appointments to the military
and naval academies, and there would
seem to be no good reason why it
might not be extended to the civil
service. special provisions TO be made
for the District of Columbia and the
territories
1t is quite possible, as suggested in
your editorial. that under the COM
petItlve system a larger percentage of
eligibles for these positions would be
FOUND in this city than elsewhere, also
that in this regard inequalities would
be found between the different con-
gressional districts; as, for instance.
the first district of Massachusetts
might furnish ten eligibles to one
furnished by the first district of Missis-
sippi. or vice versa.
Assuming such to be the case, surely
no good argument can be based thereon
under our form of government in sup
port OF The Stars contention. considering
the sovereign character Of the several
states and the Importance. as a matter
OF policy as we'll as matter of right,
that the general government make no in
vidious distinctions between its citizens.
but observe the utmost fairness and
impartiality toward them in all dealings,
more especially in the matter of pat
ronage.
Right Material in Each District.
Besides. ] submit that whether they are
needed as lawmakers. soldiers. sailors or
civil service officials the right material
can always be found in each congress
sional district. irrespective of the per-
centages which may be made under COM