Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-07-05
CONSTRUCTIVE LAWS TO FEAT.
uRE PROGRAM OF REPueLl.
CANS IN CONGRESS.
THREATENED COAL FAMINE
WILL BE CONSIDERED
Early Action Promised on Alien Enc
my 6iiis-civiI Service Laws Set
Aside to Permit Discharged Soldiers
To Compete For Many Positions
Without Other Competition.
LBy z. G. Dougherty.l

Washington, July 5.-PlaIs for an
almost continuous grind for many
months. with emphasis on Construc.
tive legislation, were made this week
by republican leaders in the house.
Immediately after COnsress recon-
venes July ). prohibition and the rail-
roads Will be the trst questions TO be
disposed Of The latter problem will
be the most serious. because members
of the house do not see how wages
can be cut. one OF the suggested
remedies Is to authorize a general in
crease in freight rates TO meet the cost
Of operating the railroads.
Early action is also prom Sed on
alien enemy bills. This legislation will
provide punishment for anarchistic
offenders by deportation, which is TO
De made mandatory on the part OF the
department Of labor or the immigra-
ton service Of the labor department
The threatened coal famine is
promised early consideration. a reso-
luton has been reported in the house
by Representative McGregor. of New
York, calling for committee 10 delVe
into the coal situation and take steps
in a legislative way TO prevent
repetition OF the experience OF the
winter OF lsI7-i9ls. Il was pointed
out today that the shortage Of 10000
@G3 tens q anthracite is not the only
problem. There is also a threatened
shortage Of 100000 tons Of BIZ
luminous coal. which will mean that
one factory in eight will have TO shut
down for lack Of fuel. II is also
feared that unless steps are taken TO
protect the householder, car priority
will he given the manufacturer. leav-
ing the small consumer without sufti-
cient fuel for heat. The problem. 1t
is stated. concerns a restraint on prof.
teer.ng in coal prices, means OF in
creasins cal production and settle
ment Of an equitable distribution OF
shipping facilities.
Jobs For Soldiers.
Civil service examinations ex-
clusixely for soldiers. sailors and ma
rlnes who have been discharged from
the service will soon be held thru
out the Country TO give them an OPP
portunity OF getting on the resistra-
ton rolls which were closed to them
while they were in the armed forces
of the nation. Attorney General
Palmer has informed the civil service
commission that discharged men could
be legally given preferential examina-
tons under his Interpretation OF the
Law passed by congress in March.
This gives the preference for civil
service Jobs 10 honorably discharged
soldiers, salons and marines OF their
widows.
The legality Of such move was in
volved. as under previous laws of the
nation all civil service examinations
heretofore must be open and COM
petit;ve. The ruling OF the department
Of justice interprets what is called
non assembled examinations as being
available for all individuals seeking
positions in mechanical trades and
high grade technical. professional and
scientific positions. These non-as-
sembled examinations are made up OF
:" Orn statements t-e:n former en-
ployers or associates OF the applicant.
supplemented by an exhaustive IN
vestigation conducted by the civil
service commission. The ciyN service
initiated the effort 10 have special eH-
aminations conducted for the return
ing soldiers, sailors and MARINES seek
ing government positions by REQUEST
ing the attorney general to make
ruling on the legal aspect Of the pro-
posed aid for the employed former
service men.
| There is expected to be at least one
hundred types OF positions opened to
! the returning ex-serviCe men thru
these examinations now authorized.
| II was pointed out that this will elimi-
nate the necessity Of the enlisted men
waiting for two years in some In
stances for certain examinations. AS
the annual turnover in Washington
alone for the civil service is about
10000 under normal conditions, it, is
estimated that approximately $4,000
positions will be open during the next
year in the capital and states.