The Little River news., 1921-05-04
Harding Takes Up p. M.
 Civil Service Problems

Washington, April 30.-Mr Harding has taken up the postmaster-civil ser- vice nut. He hopes to crack it fairly and successfully in the very near fu- ture.
 The subject came up for a lengthy discussion at the White House late last week. Postmaster General Hays talked at length with the President about the executive order issued by President Wilson whereby postmasters were placed under civil-serv,ce rules.
 There has been much misunder- standing about the Republican desire to revoke that order. It has been called return to the "spoils'' system. MT. Harding is unwilling to have that meaning attached to the plans of his administration in respect to post masters. He does mean, however, to see to it that all postmasters shall be appointed on a merit system.
 Although no definite announcement can be made as yet, it looks as if the administration policy would be some- what as follows:
 First, revocation of the Wilson exc cutive order, whereby on:y one man was eligible for appointment out of group of applicants who had passed examination.
 Second, substitution Of all executive order putting all postmasters under civil service rules and requiring ex- aminations but permitting appoint ment from any one of the top three on the eligible list
 Third, recommendation to Congress that legislation be enacted making the system permanent, so thst every time a new president is elected the post offic system shall not be suDject to the whims of executive orders, but that the responsibility for change shall lie with Congress as a whoie
 In support of the Harding plan, the argument is made that many of the postmasters appointed under the Will son administration were placed in the civil-service classification witnou: ex- animation and that it ,sn't 1air to per init the Democrats to remain in office without taking their chances in an open examination. It is insisted that both Republicans and Democrats who passed their examinations under the Wilson executive order will not be dis turbed. The new arrangement would apply only to postmasters who hold their jobs by political appointment, and who never were obliged to pass any examination.
 Of course, there are objections to the examination system on the ground that a school teacher could answer the questions asked on an examination paper more readily than most appli- cants with executive ability and little book lore. But Postmaster General Hays insists that the examinations will cover executive talents and in deed, the selection will be based on organizing ability rather than mere book knowledge.
 The Postmaster General is heartily in favor of the merit system, because he thinks it is the only way to pull the PostOffice Department on an eff cient basis He is full of enthusiasm about the future and realize the res- possibility of his task. He, therefore, is urging President Harding to make it possible for postmasrers to be select ed on an efficiency basis, so that an improvement in the entire mail service may result.
 It is probable that Mir. Harding will accept the advice or Will Hays and put all the postmasters under civil service rules and require examinations of all incumbent postmasters who got their jobs through politics.