The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1919-10-25

IN the pockets OF Tie GdAPaJSAS ~
provide elsewhere for the support OF
these place hunters and thus rid the
country of their INSTRUMENTATION.
The merit system will prevent the APP
pointment of unnecessary employees
whose employment is inevitable under
spoils raid. 1t is fact that in the
internal revenue service more money
was collected at less expense under
the competitive system. Patronage
appointees in the administration of
the prohibition act will disgrace the
country. The worst thing that could
happen in the entire history of pro-
hibition is a political enforcement of
this sumptuary law. 4
mo matter how strongly the COM
missioner Of internal revenue and the
attorney general may seek to appoint
competent employees, if the bars are
down, and this bill does let them
down, the bars erected by the civil
service laws, the patronage brokers
will demand their rights. The cOun-
try recently witnessed the spectacle
Of appointments as explosive inspec-
tors of persons without any technical
qualifications whatsoever. The terri
BILE explosion at Morgan, N. j., is still
fresh in our minds. Efficient inspec-
tors might have. saved lives and prop
erty and perhaps prevented the entire
catastrophe. The country will be dis
gusted with the political jobbery pos
sible under this bill if it is accepted
by President Wilson in its present
form"
There is still ample time to provide
for the necessary field force for the
administration of the constitutional
amendment which takes effect on
january Is. 1t will be greatly to the
credit of the president if he demon
strates his practical belief in the mer-
! it principle and his readiness to stamp
upon the spoils system whenever it
raises its head.
The attitude of congress is an
amazing one. The democrats who
voted for the patronage rider did so
in the presence of a declaration in
their national platform "for the rigid
enforcement of the civil service
laws" The republicans who control
a majority joined with the minority
in their attempt to get jobs, although
the platform of the party dominant in
the legislative branch committee that
party to the declaration that the civil
service law shall 'be thoroughly and
honestly enforced"
No matter what plausible reasons
may be presented, there is no valid
excuse for the exemption by legis-
lative direction. In case of a neces-
sity the president-and he is the sole
judge of what constitutes a necessity
may use his discretion and except
from competition individuals or
groups of employees.
The leagues telegram to the presi-
dent is as follows:
"0n behalf of the National Civil
Service Reform League we respect
fully but strongly urge your execu-
tive disapproval of the war prohibi-
ton bill Oh. R. 6810) which removes
from the jurisdiction Of the civil SER
vice commission persons authorized
to issue permits, and agents and in
spectors in the field service Civil
service commissions has certified to
congress that it is prepared to meet
employment needs and promptly GER
tify eligibles. In the presence Of this
declaration from your commission, no
excuse exists for such bald spoils
raid. The field force should be pro
tected from the communicating influ-
ences of the unclassified service. It
is inevitable that sweeping exemp-
ton of the field service will produce
group of employees incompetent and
inefficient in most instances and ca
pable of blackmailing practices in
others. The country woul not APP
prove of the creation of a political
force. The prompt return of the bill
to congress without the approval of
the chief executive would put an end
to other legislative attempts to con-
travene the application of the merit
principle"
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