Newark post., 1921-08-24
10000 u. S. CLERKS
TO BE LET OUT SOON
Will Be Dismissed as Soon as
Possible to Get Back on
Pre-War Level

Approximately 100000 government
employees in Washington and through
out the country are slated to be dis
missed as rapidly as possible so there
may be speedy return to pre-war
employment by the government. The
administration has adopted a policy
of striving for the pre-war allotment
of clerks even before the reorganiza-
tion program now being worked out is
put in operation. 1t is in furtherance
of the general economy policy.
These employees, for the most part,
are in the civil service. The total
number of civil service employees is
around 100000 now, whereas before
the war the number was 100000.
The first step in retrenchment with
regard to discharge of clerks came on
July l, but it appeared last week,
when 1000 more employees were drop
ped, that the process is far too slow.
In consequence, policy was adopted
to get back to the pre-war level by
December /, if possible.
Secretary Weeks took the lead in
demanding reductions of civilian
personnel, issuing orders to chiefs OF
all branches of the War Department
to get back as rapidly as possible to
the pre-war level. This same policy
is to be followed almost Immediately
by heads of other government depart
ments. 40
at has been brought to the atten,
tion of the Secretary of War;" Mr.
Weeks announced, chat, notwith
standing efforts made for reduction
of the civilian force of the War De.
partment and in the military service
generally, there still remained on July
1 1921, total of civilian employees
in the field service of the War De-
partment of 6S,932, which constitutes
reduction of about 221a per cent OF
the total since March /, 1921.
"While appreciating the fact that
large facilities and supplies left over
from the war still exist, and provi
sions for maintenance and protection
thereof must be made, it is certain
that by better distribution and or.
ganization of civilian employees a still
greater reduction in force can be
made which if carefully studied and
put into effect will reduce the civilian
personnel in each branch and depart.
ment comparable to the civilian force
employed prior to the war.
"The Secretary of War directs that
a gradual reduction in civilian per-
sonnel be effected so as to reduce the
number by December 81, 1921, in
such manner as to effect a saving
equal to that realized between March
/, 1921, and July 1, 1921, on the total
Of army civilian employees. In order
that clearer conception of the
civilian employees situation may be OBJ
tained the Secretary of War directs
that beginning with the month OF
July monthly reports be submitted"
Whether it actually will be possible
to get back to pre-war level officials
are unable to say at this time, bu'
that is the goal for the present. Sine.
the beginning of the war the govern
ment has gone into several new enter
prises, including the bureau of wal
risk insurance and the shipping
board, with radical expansions il
other lines, particularly in the Treas
ury Department. If it is possible t.
get back to this level now there il
little doubt that it will be possible
when the reorganization program
now being worked out by the join
congressional committee on reorganiz
alton is complete.-National Republi
ran