The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-04-22
Will RECOMMEND
CIVIL SERVICE PLAN
Efficiency Commission Studying Ac-
.complishments in That Direction
Offer Latest improvements
VALUE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION
Men Should be Picked for Public
Places by Fitness and Promotion
Should Be Governed According

st. Paul, April-22-(Speci tC
the Pioneer)-In a recent sale of q
large business, there was an item
which the purchaser agreed to, OF
nearly half million dollars under
the head of "going concern" That
was on top of inventory and fixed
assets and liberal price for good
will. 1t represented mainly what it
would cost to build up business or
ganization like that.
Business organization costs money
and is worth money. After the
panic of 1907 there were mills that
kept running two years at a loss.
Why not shut down? Because to do
that would destroy the organization
which was worth more than the loss
in operating expense.
Worth Money
Business organization in state adj
ministration is worth money too
Some departments are we'll organized
now; if they were scattered it might
take years trying out misfits to re-
place them. In other departments
it is possible the present organization
might be improved upon. In any
case, when a good working organiza-
tion lis perfected no business man
would wish to leave the chance of
it's being broken to caprice. 1t is
worth too much.
In government the best way that
has been found to preserve this ego
ing concern" value is Through civil
service methods. And that is one
reason why the efficiency commits
sion lays so much stress on the civil
service feature of it's program.
Should Apply to State
On the farm if a cow does not earn
more than her keep, she is not an as
set but a liability. In business if a
man does not earn his full salary, he
is not help but a hindrance
There is no reason why the same
principle should not apply in govern
ment ,.,> 1857 =
Under civil service methods, ap-
plicants are picked with reference to
fitness in the first place. There is
always a temptation to make the
civil service a resting place for de-
serving patriots. They are always
good fellows. 1t is a great defense
against that sort of thing for a de-
partment head to be able to say, II
would like to accommodate you but
you know the civil service law; if
your man passes the examination,
will be glad to have him in my de-
partment."
But that is only one side of mod
ern civil service machinery. Up-to-
date methods also keep track of the
men in office and insure promotion
to those who earn it. That pro-
vides incentive and any of us will
do better when there is some incen-
tive for it. Even a balky horse
has been known to keep going when
bunch of carrots was dangled be-
fore his nose.
On Merit Basis
When it is on the merit basis, bet
ter men are available than when ser.
vice depends on favor.
Men who are doing good work
should be safe in their positions. But
not too SAFE 1t is not Wholesome
to let some men know that as long az
they dawdle through the motions
they can't be fired. The power o.
removal should not be too restricted
That is the essence of modern civi
service law. The efficiency commits
sion is studying the best THAT ha!
been done in their direction and will
be prepared to recommend to the leg
islature a plan with all the lates
improvements