The Washington times., 1918-04-03
. D. c. EL|G|BLES
TO CLERKSH|PS
URGING THEIR
APPOINTMENT.
BY BILL PRICE.

Washington people who have in the
last few months passed first grade
clerkship examinations do not under
stand, in view of steadily decreasing
housing space in this city, why they
do not receive appointments in the
Government service.
Almost in Identical words a number
OF them have written The Times re-
ferring to the pleas of President Nc
Ilhenney, OF the Civil Service Commits
sion, and other officials for the rapid
construction of barracks in this city,
and pointing out that it would seem
the part of wisdom all around for
Washington eligibles on civil service
lists 10 be put to work rather than
bring thousands OF new people here
and risk obtaining rooming accommo-
dations.
In testimony before House commit.
tees last wee4es-Mr. McIlhenny stated
that so per cent of eligibles on the
civil service lists refuse to come here
and take chances, and many of those
who do come here return to their
homes after q short time.
No Added Burden.
Washington eligibles point out that
I they have homes and rooms and
me4t in the matter of building suit
. able quarters. Architects have esti-
. mated that the appropriation of S10,-
1000 proposed In Congress for hous-
. ing for Government clerks here will
take care OF probably 10000 clerks,
the cost to the Government averaging
$500 per clerk.
These estimates being authorita-
tive. there Is naturally inquiry as to-
, why the Government does not prefer
to diminish its Expenditures 10 some
extent by letting down the bars for
Washington people now on the eligi-
BILE list for clerks.
1t Is known that as to stenogra-
pliers and typewriters, the Civil Serv-
ice Commission is making personal ap-
peals for them in various cities. In
Cleveland, Ohio. as a sample. business
men are being urged TO spare some of
their stenographers for the Govern
ment, and are responding.
States the Situation.
Mr.. McIlhenny today stated to The
Times that as far as possible Wash
ington people have been given I'M
usual opportunities. but admitted that
they have not had any preference
shown them in the matter of clerk
ships.
Mr.. McIlhenney said that the civil
service laws require that appoint
ments in the classified service shall
be apportioned among the States. Ter
ritories, and District of Columbia ac-
cording to population of the last CEN
sus. and that there can be no depart
ure from this except in the interest of
good administration In the interests
of the Government this apportionment
I
stenographers and typewriters resid-
ing in the District as to appointments
in the War and Navy Departments.
This departure from the law did not
apply to other departments, he stated.
for the reason that their demands
did not require IT.
There was not the least doubt. he
said, that stenographers or type
writers living in the District and pass
ing the required examinations could
obtain places in the two departments
with little delay. but this did not ap-
ply to clerkships. District eligibles
on the clerkship list would be subject
to the apportionment law. There are
now $4,000 clerkship eligibles from
the February examinations, and these
will meet the requirements for some
time to come. Another clerkship ex-
animation for future requirements
will be held the last OF this month or
IN May.
Jealous on Quota Question.
Civil Service officials declared to-
day that Congress is exceedingly
watchful on the quota question and
objects to any letting down Of the
bars that will deprive the respective
States OF all that is coming to them
in appointments For this reason the
commission does not feel that il can
show any especial preference to Dis
trict ellgibles except stenOgraphers
and typewriteTs. or either. To main
tain the appointment Congress is per-
fectly willing to spend $500 for each
newcomer in buildings that Lsre TO be
temporary only and to be torn down ,
at the close of the war.
Just how newcomers are to be cared
for in Washington until the new Gov
ernment buildings for their accom-
mediation are erected nobody today
has an idea. Officials OF the hous- 6
ing committee Of the District Ma !
tional Council OF Defense a few days
ago estimated that the number Of =
rooms then listed with them might !
meet the demands until the end Of \
this month :
Through every known method of !
appeal sufficient rooms may be OBJ :
tained TO run anotner month, after I
that there is grave doubt on this
score. ,
The committee has accomplished
wonders already through the patriotic :
aid OF Washington people who have !
set aside all personal considerations )
to serve the Government by opening ;
their homes to needed employees :
It will not be possible to complete
the proposed barracks for employees
inside of three months from the time
the appropriation becomes law. and
there is little prospect OF relief from
this direction before early in July,
even II Congress acts in a few days. b
Commissioner Craven, OF the Civil I,
Service Commission, today suggested b
that Meridian Hill, adjoining Rock I,
Creek Park, would be the best site 8