The courier-index., 1921-04-29
President Tackles
 P0stOMces Problem

Washington, April 21.-President Harding tackled the problem of postmasterships in all parts of the country, their removal and appoint ment on a basis that would make for efficiency instead of political manipulation and inefficiency.
 Postmaster General Will Hays talked at length with the president about the executive order issued by President Wilson whereby postmas- ters were placed under civil service rules. There has been much mis- understanding about the Republican desire to revoke that order It has been called return to the "spoils" system. Mir. Harding is unwilling to have that meaning attached to the plans of his administration in respect to postmasters. He does mean, however, to see to. it that all postmasters shall be appointed on merit system. Although no defi- mite announcement can be made as yetyet, it looks as if the admins tration policy would be somewhat as follows:
 First, revocation of the Wilson executive order whereby only one man was eligible for appointment out of a group of applicants who had passed an examination.
 Second, substitution of an execu- tive order putting all postmasters under civil service rules and re- quiring examination but permitting appointment from any one of the top three on the eligible list.
 Third, recommendations to Con- gress that legislation be enacted making the system permanent so that every time a new president is elected the postoffice system shall not be subjected to the whims of executive orders, but that the re- sponsibility for change shall lie with Congress as a whole.
 In support of the Harding plan, the argument is made that many of the postmasters appointed under the Wilson administration were plac- ed in the civil service classification without examination and that it is not fair to permit the Democrats to remain in office without taking their chances in an open exanina- tion It is insisted that both Re- publicans and Democrats who pass ed their examinations under the Will son executive order will not be dis turbed. The new arrangement will apply only to postmasters who only hold their job by political appoint ments, and who were never obliged to pass any examinations.
 Of course, there are objections to the examination system on the grounds that school teacher could answer the questions asked on an examination paper more readily than applicants with executive abil- ity and little book lore But Post master General Hays insists that the examinations will cover executive talents and, indeed, the selection will be based on organizing ability rath- CT than mere book knowledge. The postmaster general is hearti- ly in favor of the merit system be- cause he thinks it is the only way to put the postoffice department on an efficient basis He is full of enthusiasm about the future and realizes the responsibility of his task. He therefore is urging presi- dent Harding to make it possible for poStmasters to be selected on an efficiency basis so that an improve ment in the entire mail service may result.
 It is probable that Mir Harding will accept the advise of Will Hays and put all postmasters under civil service rules and require examina- tions of all incumbent postmasters who get their jobs through politics.
 The new postmaster general also has the full support of Mir. Harding in the plan to humanize the post office department. There are many places throughout the country where the conditions under which clerks are working are conducive to bad health. Mir. Hays declares the gov ernment should keep pace with prog ressive employers who are spending large sums of money for social well fare. He has called conference of the heads of the employees or ganizations and begins today a care ful study of the whole subject. All the energy and industry which Will Hays exhibited as chairman of the Republican national committee seems to have beentransferred in- to thes postoffice department. 1t will not be his fault if the country before long doesn't find an inn provement in the mail service.
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