Evening star., 1920-08-08
PROMOTION INTHBPUBLICSERVI VICE

under competent supervision form a
weak part Of the government en-
ployment plan. The effect of prac-
tices so lacking in the essentials of
good administration is not on the
worker alone: the institution is the
great sufferer.
The present civil service law was
enacted to correct the evils of the
''spoils system"
Scope of Civil which had become
intolerable. T h t
service Law. the plan provided
Il by the law, that of appointments
through competitive examinations for
certain positions, has been a vast
Improvement over the old patronage
method is generally conceded; but the
law failed to be completely effective
instrument by not providing for the
application of the merit system to
the more responsible and, therefore,
the more. remunerative positions.
The Jaw specifies that positions
recurring mere unskilled laborers ana
those which are filled through noml-
nation by the President for the con-
firmation of the Senate are not to be
classified Hereunder. Most of the
higher supervisory positions in the
civil service come within this latter
class.
That some Presidents of recent
years have believed that the service
can be improved by the extension OF
the merit system is evidenced by the
regulations promulgated by President
Roosevelt in 1906 and by President
Taft in 1909, which provide for filling
positions in the consular and diplo-
to hQQEadOrS
minister rs), and making promotions IN
those services, through competitive
examinations. and an executive order
issued by President Wilson on March
81, 1917, which requires that positions
Of. postmaster at Offices of the first
second and third classes shall be
filled in the same manner. The pro-
cedure Of submitting nominations TO
the Senate for its confirmation is not
discontinued, for it is required by
law, but the selection Of the nominees
for these positions is made through
competitive examination. The ma
chinery of the Civil Service Commis-
sion is being successfully used by the
President to test the quallncatlons Oh
applicants for positions of postmaster
at first, second and third class omces,
and the commission assists the state
Department in the examinations OF
applicants for the diplomatic and
consular services.
These executive orders were impor-
tant steps in the right direction IN
the case OF postmasters, the order
would have been a seven-league step
If it had provided for q system Of
promotions, rather than one of ap-
pofntments Of men unframed in pos
tai business, albeit the order removes
postmaster positions from politics. In
recent years there has also been some
tendency to reappoint. after four
wear tenure, an ohicial who has
proved worthy. In comparatively few
cases. however, have the important
Offices been filled by promotion from
the ranks. Indeed, employees of the
eovernment who hold their positions
as the result OF competitive civil
service examinations are reluctant to
accept appointments outside the
operatfon Of the civil service law, for
with a change of administration the
application Of the patronage system
is likely to deprive them Of the fruits
of years of effort.
I The tendency of. the government to
emulate the children In the play is
|, @ most wasteful. At best.
wastefu1 the proper training of
|, M.thods an administrative om-
MeSnoos' Ger of the government
up to the point where he may have
a vigorous grasp AID accurate knowl-