Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-20
Urged in Annual Report of the
Civil Service Com
mission.
RETIREMENT TO BE BASED
ON TESTS FOR EFFICIENCY
Board Also Wants Congress to Curb
Political Activities of "Unclassi-
fed and Excepted Employees.

Recommendation that con-
tributory plan of retirement be
enacted for superannuated en-
ployes of the government and a
request that Congress place uni
form and definite restrictions on
the political activities of unclassi-
fed and excepted officers and en-
ployes of the government are fea-
lures of the thirty-second annual
report of the United States civil
service commission, made public
today.
The commission states that the
government how is doing more
work with fewer employees and
with increased economy and effl-
cheney.
Outgrowth of Administration.
I'm the establishment of improved
port. difficulty has been found in
dealing with superannuated employees.
The commission does not regard su-
perannuation an outgrowth OF the
merit system. but deals with the sub
ject of retirement in it's reports be-
cause of it's relation to improved ad-
ministrative methods. Superannuation
Is older than the civil service act, and
any increase is not a result of the
merit system. Examinations and eff
cheney ratings tend to minimize super
annuation by exposing incapacity, that
otherwise would be hidden. The civil
service rules have never protected in
.competents.
The improvement of methods and
the proper adjustment of pay cannot
be effectively provided for until a re-
tirement system is established which
will make provision for this class of
employees The commissioh believes
just ana practicable one for the re-
s-tirement Of employees. and earnestly
recomusendz its adoption at an early
date"
Appointments in Philippines.
The commission says that the ap-
pointment of Americans to clerical po-
sitions in the Philippines has practi-
caiiy ceased and protests against the
publication of the official register in
it's present form on the ground that it
entails an expenditure which is not
warranted by the statistical or other
value OF the information which it con-
tains-" The commission suggests that
volume be published annually contain
ing the names. positions. salaries and
other information concerning the more
important officials and general infor-
of 4at fcfI .a1
tive nature with respect to the re-
mainder of the personnel Such a
volume. in the opinion of the commits
sion. Mould be more valuable for use
as basis for such legislative and ad
ministrative measures as efficiency and
retirement.
Discussing the matter of political
activity. the commission recommends
that the rules be amended to make
II mandatory upon supervisory officers
to act in accordance with the decision
of the commission in any matter in
volving violation of the rules. such
a decision to be subject to review only
by the President
Quotes Jefferson and Cleveland.
In making this recommendation to
Congress, the commission says that 1T
has encountered difficulty in some cases
In securing the imposition of an ade-
ant violations of the rule. and in a
very few cases has observed the inn
position Of severe penalties where a
reprimand or suspension has been
recommended"
The report quotes circulars ordered
sent out by Presidents Jefferson and
Cleveland warning employees against
political activity.
The commission says that II is i'm
portant that the time between the an
nouncement of an examination and the
establishment Of a register of eligibles
be cut to a minimum. II says the Post
Once Department desires this to be sixty
days. but the commission cannot shorten
the time less than. five months. What is
needed. according to the report. is a suf-
ficient force of clerks and examiners to
keep the work current, and to that end
q recommendation for an increase of
twenty-four additional clerks and ex-
aminers Is contained in the report
The commission seeks increased salaries
for ten of the twelve district secretaries
and an increase in the allowance for
travelling expenses from $4,000 to
S10 000