Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-01
ASK MERIT SYSTEM
FOR THE DISTRICT
Commissioners BroWnlow and
Kutz Speak in Favor of the
Tinkham Bill.
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE
CONSIDERING MEASURE
Announcement Made That PROPOSE
ton Is Endorsed by President Will
son and Federal Commission.

| Complete approval of the Tinkham
bill ito regulate appointments and pro-
motions in the municipal government
of the District of Columbia was given
by the Commissioners yesterday after
noon al hearing before the judiciary
subcommittee of the House District
committee. Representative Ninson of
Georgia. chairman. Commissioners
| Brownlow and kutZ spoke for the
| board and. in response to questions
from Representative Tinkham of Mas
schusetts. author of the bill, Commits
sioner Brownlow gave the distinct i'm
/ preston that the President approves
the idea incorporate ted in the bill as well
as the general wording. The measure.
| if enacted, would have this effect: The
general civil service law would be APP
piled to the employment places under
the District government, but applica-
tons for examination Would not be
taken from localities outside of the
District.
| In addition to statement from Rep
reSentatiye Tinkham and the two Com
! miss1oners. DIR. Charles $. Emmons.
| president of the East Washington Citi-
zens Association. spoke briefly. He
oppOScu the measure.
Civil Service Commission Approves.
| Representative Tinkham read to the
committee letters from the civil service
commission approving the bill and Civ
ing the history of previous similar
legislation These letters have been
previously outlined in full in The Star.
! AS he proceeded in his explanation.
| Representative Ninson asked why all
,ie present employees should be exempt
from examinations: in other words.
why not examine every one in the serv-
ice at present to see who could hold
| jobs.
Representative Tinkham replied that
precedent stood in the way: and sec
ond. that employees in the District of
Columbia service are highly efficient in
their positions. but might not be able
to take a competitive examination as
well as some youngster just from
school. The parallel of a lawyer of
long practice being hard put to pass
| bar examinations without consid erab Die
study was offered illustration.
| Representative Focht of Pennsylva-
MIA. whose questions indicated he would
/ advise a slow gait in making the pro-
posed change. brought out the fact tina
teachers. fremen and policemen now
| have to take examinations. Representa-
| fact that il is within the President s
power under the civil service laws to
! rule that only District residents should
be eligible for the proposed examina-
| tons.
| Mr.. Brownlow's Views.
! Commissioner Brownlow said he has
been in sympathy for many years with
the efforts to have the positions under
the District government placed in the
civil service. He said, however. he be-
lieved that some of the department
heads should not be in that service. in
asmuch matters Of policy are ham
died and determined by them.
! Has the President expressed his ap-
prevail of this idea asked Representa-
| tive Tinkham.
Yes he has" answered Commission =
er Brownlow, lin personal conversation
| with me-.
| a furry OF conversation as to whether
or not there is too much national and
| partisan politics in District appoint