Evening star., 1920-05-24

Strong support for the extension of
the merit system in the government
service as provided in the civil serv-
ice laws voiced In statements re-
ceived by the National Civil Service
Reform Lea que from many of the
leading candidates for the republican
and democratic nominations for the
presidency.
The league addressed letters to
each of the various candidates, asking
their views on this question. QUO
| tations from the replies followi
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. repub-
lican:
II am a thorough believer In the
meNt system as established in the
civil service laws Of the nation.
Il believe that our diplomatic and
consular service should be filled by
men who are specially qualified for
service at the stations to which they
are sent.
II believe that we must build up a
sound foreign commercial policy"
A. Mitchmell Palmer. democrat:
The interests of our growing com
merce with other lands demand a
skill and efficiency in our foreign rep
resentatives that are possible only
| with more adequate recompense
than that now paid. The foreign serV-
Ice, too. would be in the nature of
non-partisan profession attracting to
| y
ity and ambition. Failing in this. the
government cannot hope to rival pri-
vate enterprise in the maintenance or
an effective foreign personnel.
Il am a firm believer In the de-
STABILITY of extending the merit sys-
tenn to all government positions OF a
non-policy determining character. 1t
Is important to secure in the govern
ment service men of determined aoil-
ity and of special fitness for the
70 Eo iS lly
vital that once appointed. they shall
be stimulated to their best exertion
by an assurance of permanency in
| their employment and of rewards and
| service they render. These are es-
sential principles of business man
| agement. whether the business be
public or private, and, in the case of
the public business. they can be prac-
tically realized only by a classified
| civil service"
| William G. McAdoo. democrat.
states that l am not candidate for
the presidency. and for this reason
l can answer your letter only as
private citizen.
'As such l may say that I have
always favored the merit system as
established in the civil service laws.
and that / favor the extension of the
classified service wherever it is prac-
ticable.
Il believe that the present organi
cation of the foreign service of the
United States is inadequate, and that
it should be materially strengthened
to protect the interests and to meet
the needs of the people of the United
States
Nicholas Murray Butler republican:
Il had supposed that every one in
his right mind was in favor of the
strengthenng and steady extension of
the merit system in the public serv-
ice of the nation"
Gov. James NJ. Cox of Ohio. demo-
crat:
81 have your letter of the 10Th
and have no hesitation in expressing
my preference for the merit system.
Our new constitution was given to
me for enforcement. and the civil
service law as it was adopted under
the grant extended at that time, and
the policy of this administration in
it's enforcement, are matters OF rec
ord.
THE merit system should include
all branches of public service except
where specialists are required, and
common-sense administration would
suggest. if not an exemption, then
the right of those in administration
position to make selection subject to
test conducted by the Civil Service
Commission. 1t goes without staying
that, in addition to that, some po-
sitions. executively administrative.
should also be without civil service
jurisdiction.
LAS to consular service, I have
very strong feeling that it should be
subjected to a considerable reorganiza-
ton. If we are to progress, the mar
kets of the country must be extended,
and favor not only the remaking Of
the service but the extension of the
federal reserve banking system into
foreign parts. in order that there can
be cooperation between our consular
Representatives and branches of the
federal reserve bank. I am impressed.
too. with a further need: We have
naval attache and a military attache
assigned to our embassies. If prog
ress here is to be aided by our view
ing things from a wider perspective
(and / don't believe any one can
gainsay the wisdom of SO doing) an
other attache should be added whose
duty it would be to report on all
matters of development along purely
social and educational lines"
Gov. Frank o. Lowden Of Illinois
republican:
'The principle of civil service has
been firmly established. I am in favor
of it's continuation and extension
The civil service law will not be re-
pealed. No administration would
commit itself to this folly. Civil
service laws as applied to states are
in their infancy. Attention has been
centered upon the entrance to public
employment. The front door has
been zealously guarded. The back