Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-05-23
President Wilson Practical
ly Ignores Civil Service
PrcccdentS
WARDENS REMOVED.


Special TO The sunday World
WASHINGTON, May 22.-The chief
aim of the Wilson administration has
been the pursuit of the principle enun-
ciated 10y the premier of the admin
istrutiOu "to find places for desery-
ing Democrats, with reckless disre-
gard for the efficiency Of the service
At the time of his nomination. Pres
ident Wilson was vice president Of the
National Ciyi! Service league. In re
signing, as he very properly did on
being nominated for president, he
stated that it did not indicate any
lack Of interest in the cause There
was expected from him, therefore, a
fun performance Of what his previous
life and professions had promised.
There has, however, been great dis
appointment in this respect, and
large number Of experienced, we'll
trained and efficient officials and EN-
ployes in the government service both
in and out Of the competitive civil
service, have been removed or de-
NOTED to make places for ineXper-
fenced Democrats.
Knocked Out Civil Service.
For years deputy collectors of in
ternal revenue and deputy United
States marshals had been under the
protection of the civil service rules,
this policy resulting in building up an
efficient and experienced service. In
one Of the first appropriation bills
passed by congress under this admin
istratiOn, rider" was inserted to
the effect that deputy collectors of in
ternal revenue and office deputy Uni
ted States marshals "who may be re-
quired to give bond" could be APP
pointed without reference to the civil
service regulations. Approximately $50
office deputy .marshals and 1900 dep
uty collectors Of internal revenue were
thus thrown into the spoils system.
Take the cases Of United states dis
triCt attorneys and United States mar
shals. Under the law they are ap-
pointed for terms Of four years, and
heretofore these officials have been
allowed to serve out their terms with
out reference to change in the admin
istratiOn, But not so under the Dem
ocratic party AS fast as appointments
satisfactory TO the Democratic bosses
in the several states could be deter
mined upon, the designations of Uni
ted States marshals and district attOr-
ncys have been called for frequently
by telegraph, without regard to the
length of time remaining for them to
serve under their four-ycar commits
sious. Any marshal or district at
torney who called for an explanation
was summarly removed. This was
done of course, that the adminstra-
tion might as soon as possible have
an Office-hOlding class around which
to build an organization for the cam
paign Of 1916.
Another illustration of the manner
I'm which efficiency has been ruthlessly
sacrificed is found in the federal pen
itentary service, where, if anywhere,
Ia... To- 1
perienCed men in the service should be
of greater Importance than the mere
question of finding positions with
which to pay political debts.
Incompetcncy Steps In.
The former warden of the peniten-
tiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, was
the best informed man on prison mat
terS in the United states having had
a number OF years of previous eXper-
fence with state penal and reformatory
institutions and as chief Of police in
one Of the largest cities of the cOun-
try His resignation was promptly
called for by the Wilson administra-
tion. Later, his deputy was removed
that another political appointment
might be made.
The administration then removed
the superintendent Of prisons at Wash
ington, Notwithstanding the position
was under the protection of the civil
service regulations The incumbent
was q man who had grown up with
the service and whose successful prac-
teal experience in prison and parole
work covered a period Of many years
This important office was filled, under
an executive order issued by the pres
ident waving the civil service rules
by a contractor and builder of apart
ment houses in Washington, a man
without experience with penal insti-
tutions or the handling Of criminals.
The penitentiary at Atlanta, GeOr-
Eia, was not to escape the search OF
the office seeker, and the warden OF
that institution, a man who had served
efficiently for many years, was re-
Gently removed, and a man hereto
fore unknown in prison matters was
appointed for this important work.
Many Executive Appointces.
Notwithstanding his former connec.
ton with the National Civil Service
league, President Wilson has issued
more executive orders waving the
civil service rules than any of his
predecessors. The records Of the civi
service commission show that in the
two years of his administration he has
authorized the appointment of 1SI
persons under executive orders. Pres
idcnt Taft in the first two years of his
administration excepted II men from
taking the examination, just abou
half as many.
In the department service at Wash
ington. where merit must prevail il
an efficient standard of service is tC
be maintained, experienced clerk!
have been reduced that clerks with {
Democratic pull" might be promoted
In some offices efficiency ratings
heretofore maintained have beer
abandoned, and promotions have beer
made on a political basis.
1t is obvious that such a system
based on political favoritism demoral
ICES the force, and in turn is expen
sive for the government. Clerks wh'
are known to be Republicans are IL
daily fear of being reduced or of los
ing their positions altogether. It il
impossible that an efficient service
can be maintained under such condi
tions. The Democratic policy in thi