New Britain herald., 1918-05-02
A TEST OF CIVIL SERVICE.

HENRY GEORGE.
A TEST OF CIVIL SERVICE.
/ against the civil service system.
ose in favor of it claim tha- it's
4ef merit lies in the fact that gen
al efficiency can be recognized and
warded only through the competi-
q system. While those who find
ult with this method are Just as
sitive in their contention that an
animation on a merit basis does not
ways bring out the desired results
cause sometimes an applicant who
Is otherwise made q Favorable int
|ession will fall down" in an ex-
bination on account of tenn para
int, nervousness or for other rea-
BIS.
I'm the appointment CT a lieutenant
police which is to be made soon by
3 board of police commissioners we
| have opportunity to study the
ue of civil service examinations.
3ere are two. applicants for the po-
on. One has been on the police
tee for over a score of years, the
her for almost ten. The regu1a-
ns prescribe that choice may be
de from the three applicants who
ve the highest standing. Here the
Erd faces a unique situation. There
only two applicants, and conse-
&ntly it seems as though the choice
Nm TO n mere question of merit In
pms Of points obtained in the ex-
ination. The man who has been
the force not quite decade OBJ
he'd IL far better average than his
Poncnt who has been in the de-
tment for more than twice shat
nber of years, their scores being
and IS, respectively. Written and
examinations were held and the
niger applicant scored decisi0ely
p his veteran competitor so that
the basis Of results there would
p TO be only one choice possible
We do not anticipate that the COM
sioners will misunderstood the
ming of the figures given. Unless
have some very extraordinary
Bon for making the award other
p that to be expected In the face
the competitive examination, the
ointment in our opinion should 20
he man who has youth in his fav-
besides a most creditable record
ng his term Of service, as we'll as
the test through which both ap-
ants have been through. On the
aid see fit to favor the man who
seen longer service but who has
done so we'll In the examinations.
ill shake the faith of most fair
ded persons in the merirs Of
system. We would not for a
lent wish to give the impression
we think even the slightest bit of
iality will be shown. The COM
Eioners upon whom the choice will
may be depended upon to render
tcision which in their opinion will
or the pest interests of the city.
should they disregard the cues
of merit as ev-inced by the recent
petition it will be absolutely i'm
tive for them to disclose the rea-
which prompted them In their
ce, If they wish to avoid a storm
-iticisna. II is clear that the COM
toner's should not ;s,ways feel
ld to appoint \ al, who has stood
highest in an examination. Such
Icy, If followed in every case,
Id open the way to evils which
nutlify the merits of the sys-
A man might score the most
IS and still be otherwise united
be position to which he is aspir
pn4 account of moral or other Ge-
Icies. In case Hike the present
however, where both applicants
proven themselves faithful at all
TO their trust, it would seem
&nly by competitive examination
be determined which has the
ability, ana that the commits
ought tc guide themselves ac-