Evening star., 1920-09-03
]. S. CLERKS MUST
PROPERLY QUALIFY
Commission Warns Officials
Against Using UnskilIed on
Classified Work.

Steps have been taken by the Civil
Service Commission te break up the
practice In government< departments
of assignment of .mere unskilled
laborers' to duties of the kind usually
performed by classified employees.
Recently there has been so much
abuse of the privilege in some quar-
ters as to bring the operation Of the
cording to instructions to nominating
and appointing officers of the execu-
tive civil service sent to departments
by the commission.
The appointment or assignment of
competitive classified employees to
spective designations when justified
by circumstances has not been re-
garded az contrary to the civil service
act and rules. unless administrative
regulations adopted Hereunder pro-
hibit such action" declares Q state
ment printed by thee request Of the
commission in today's issue Of the
Postal Bulletin.
Responsibility for work.
1t is pointed out that the basis OF
this practice is that an officer is re-
sponsible for the work under his
charge, and that the propriety OF
these assignments has not been cues
toned
Appointment or assignment Of mare
unekiiled laborers to duties of the
Kind usually performed by classified
employees Is forbidden by the civil
service rules, with the sole execution
tnat with the prior approval Of the
Sotnmass.on 60 % unclassined laborers may
oe assigned to classified work which
Is incidental to their regular work
and which cannot be economically and
conveniently done by classified en-
pioyes." declares the Civil Service
'This practice was believed to b.
a sound administering measure bv
permitting wide latitude to ofncers
and obviating complaints by employees
AGAINST assignments not agreeable
Recently there has been so much
aouse OF tne privilege in some quar-
terS as to bring the operation of the
civil service rules into disrepute.
Pressure due to the war has probah1
caused action which would not have
been taken under normal conditions.
Glasses Of Violations.
1T is impossible to describe all
probable abuses which have taken
place or may take place under the
wide practice heretofore prevailing"
continues the commission. Among
those which may be mentioned are:
The appointment Of persons as mere
unclassffied laborers and their as
signment to classified duties; appoint
ment to trades positions for which
applicants are not plentiful and their
assignment to clerical or other Office
duties. and appointment under inap-
propriate designation to permit pay
ment of higher rates than would be
paid should appropriate designations
be used.
'.An nominating, appointing, or
other personnel officers of this de-
partment will, within three months,
return employees to the duties ordi-
narily performed by them under their
respective designations; correct as
signments by removal. IL necessary,
of persons appointed under one des-
ignation for the performance of work
Of an entirely different designation:
or report for consideration to the de-
partment any such cases in. which
change would cause serious embar-
rassment.
'Failure to carry out these instruc-
tions will lead to disciplinary action
in the case Of officers responsible
therefor. Any ,employe who is assign
ed to work outside the scope of his
official designation. or any employe
who shall become cognizant Of such
assignment Of another employe, must
bring the fact in writing to the at
teniton Of the head Of his bureau or
ofiice."