The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-17
NEW CIVIL SERVICE
PROBE IS DEMANDED
Congressman Moore to Urge In
I. quiry Designed to Improve
Administrative Work.

The Government clerk Is again 10
be the subject OF an investigation by
a Congressional committee. IL a reso-
luton TO be offered In the House by
Congressman r. Walton Moore Is
passed.
Mr.. Moore has discussed the pro-
House and with members of that
body. and he has been assured OF sup
port from both Democratic and Re-
publican members.
II propose to introduce a resolution
providing for the appointment OF
general Legislative committee" says
Mr.. Moore. made up of Senators and
Representatives, TO take under con-
sideration the methods and conditions
in the departments and try to devise,
IL that should be found necessary in
the light of the ascertained facts.
some organised plan for the improve
ment of administrative work"
Many theories of administrative re-
form have been propounded and
urged before Congress. They include,
for instance, the budget system.
''The budget system IL not getting
US anywhere" according to Mr..
Moore.
Resolutions Are Drafted.
There seems to be a well-denned
view in the House that some step
ing In a practical manner with criti-
cisms and determining whether there
should be changes in departmental
conditions and methods, and, IL so,
what the changes should be-"
NaW York anil era NJ the uns,aA
and Senate have within the past few
days received from the Chamber of
Commerce of the State of New York
copies of resolution urging Con-
gress to inquire into the number of
civil employees now In the service Of
the Government in Washington.
The following statement was also
filed with members In regard to the
resolution: 4
"Thc introducer Of tho resolution
said that before the war there were
Government service. In the course Of
the war their number rose to 1900 900.
Since the armistice WAS signed there
has been a reduction OF some $50 900.
There are still about $50 ,00O-35O. 900
more than were deemed sufficient be-
fore the war.
"If these figures are correct-and IL
is a matter of common observation
and knowledge that Washington
swarms with supernumerary Federal
employes-here are at least $50. 900
from the Government pay roll and set
to work In private enterprises.
Sure Means Of Saving.
1.-THE investigation proposed ought
to be made. Here Is a sure means of
saving, lessening taxation, and en-
larging production"
Congressman Green OF Iowa takes
the position that much good could be
accomplished by abolishing some OF
the new Government departments
which were born during the war. Just
so long as they continue to live clerks
will be needed to man them, he says.
THE real reason for the increase of
these employees" says Mr.. Green, lis
that the Government has taken upon
itself SO many different varieties Of
work and so enormously extended it's
functions. AS long as we have a
Railroad Administration, a Fuel Ad-
ministration, a Food Control Admin
istration, q Shipping Board, and a
number Of other departments that
have been entered into by the Gov
eminent since the war. or In recent
ycaiS 81 IOHs viii we HdVo THIS VAST
number of employees"
No Reduction This Year.
There seems to be a disposition on
the part of Congress to make no re.
duction in the number Of clerks this
year. although there was outspoken
opposition to retaining thousands of
those who came to Washington dur
ing the war period.
Sentiment now seems to favor a
policy Of allowing department heads
to cut down their force OF clerks in a
normal way. Separations from the
Government service are increasing in
number each month, and q gradual,
normal decrease appears to be under
way.
The general legislative committee
to make an investigation Of the ques-
ton of Administration and clerk hire
would not be able to make its report
before next fall, and in the meantime
all appropriations for the fiscal year
ending June 80. 1921, will have been
made. thereby assuring Goyernmenf