Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-31

Civil Service Commission should be
enlarged IL the system is to be de-
veloped to its relatively perfect
flower.
The administrators are particularly
DESTROYS that it be borne in mind
that they have no grievance against
congressman who importune them in
behalf Of their friends. Particularly
is this true in the scientific bureaus,
which rarely are visited by members
1t is believed. on the contrary. that
members of Congress find little pleas
ure in running about the depart
ments attending to the complaints OF
their constituents. and they would be
very glad to be relieved of tasks of
this character. Congress. it is pointed
out. is allowed to gain only one i'm
preston Of the departments. and this
from men and women with griev-
ances. whereas il every contented
employe should inform his congress-
man Of his contentment the result
would be overwhelmingly in favor of
the civil service system as whole.
Such criticisms of the proposed legis-
lation as. the administrators have
permitted themselves is of a purely
constructive character and designed
only to aid Congress in SO improving
the civil service as to provide a rem
edy for most complaints. 1t never
will be perfect, but 1t can be made
immeasurably better than it is. and.
with the report Of the reclassification
commission demanding action, now: it
is believed. is the suitable time for
the experienced administrators to as
sist with their ideas.
The Federal Club" Organixed.
The outside public little realizes how
.keenly interested the administrative
officers Of the government are in their
nRSt1 hAV ira
to advance the interests of the gov
eminent. Only last July what is
known as the Federal Club was or
gained, consisting wholly of men
holding responsible positions in the
Administrative or technical service.
to meet and discuss with each other
various suggestions for the improve
ment OF the service in which they
are engaged. A sufficient idea of the
character of the service may be given
merely by citing the list Of officers:
the forest service: first vice presi--
dent. James l.. Wilmuth, director of
the bureau of engraving and printing,
formerly chief clerk OF the Treasury
Department.; second vice president, DR..
Francis walker. chief economist OF
the Federal Trade Commission: sec
rotary, Dr. Edward h. Rosa, chief
physicist of the bureau Of standards:
treasurer. Paul f. Myers. deputy COM
missioner of internal revenue. Among
the directors are DIR. Carl L. Alsberg,
chief of the bureau of chemistry: DR..
+. G. Cottrell, director of the bureau
of mines; Rear Admiral Samuel Nc
Gowen. paymaSter general, United
States Navy, and Roy s. MacElwee,
first assistant director of the bureau
Of foreign and domestic commerce.
Offers Forum for All Matters.
This club is not organized especially
with reference to the reorganizat ion
scheme. Nevertheless it offers a forum
for the discussion of this and all other
matters affecting the administration
of the civil service. Doubtless the
Will cooperate with Congress in the
framing of suitable legislation and
will be glad to support the sugges
tions advanced by the federal admin
istrative officers, the value of whose
experience they can hardly fail to
appreciate.
A word as to the Civil Service
Commission itself-a body as greatly
in need of support and development
as any of the departments or bureaus
whose personnel it supplies. The sal
airy of the three commissioners is
$1,000 a year. or one-third less than
the compensation of q representative.
The commission employs 35S clerks
and examiners, whose average salary
Is $1,311 (besides the bonus Of $240).
Included in this list are forty -one COL
lege graduates. with an average sal
airy Of 81 500 year. 1t has forty nine
custodians and messengers, who re-
ceive $40 or less The force is lament
ably short-handed, SO much SO that
no less than 222 persons have been
detailed to its field ofilces from other
departments and who, incidentally.
often are overlooked in matters Of
promotion because OF their anomalous
position between two services. The
recla ssification commission recon-
mended that the salary of the commits
sioners be increased to $500 a year,
but the increase has not materialixed
| in the Jones bill. The highest salary
paid in thu Civil Service Commission,
outside the commissioners. Ii $500
l to one man and $4,000 to another.