The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-05-13
HARDING RULES ON
P. NJ. Appointments
One Of 3 Highest On List
To Be Named; Freer
Range Given


vice restrictions governing the choice
of postmasters were notified by Pres
ident Harding today 70 give the adj
mipistration freer hand in exercis-
ing its own judgment in regard to the
qualifications of applicants.
In an executive order affecting ap-
proximately 1900 posfoffices of the
first, second and third classes, the
President authorized the selection of
any one of the first three on the
eligible list as determined by open
competitive examinations. Under an
order of President Wilson, the execu-
tive could exercise no such choice,
but was required to appoint the ap-
plicant standing at the head of the
list.
In making the order public, Hard
ing issued a statement saying that the
new arrangement had been decided
upon because it would permit such
elements as business training and
experience to figure in the selection
of postmasters and would not stake
the choice merely on "a clustered
scholastic examination which might
result in a high grade in theory but
not guaranty of efficiency in fact"
Favors Congressional Action
The President also pointed out that
a choice among the first three alrea-
dy is permitted for fourth-class post
masterships under permanent civil
service regulations as fixed by law.
He expressed the hope that Congress
would extend these permanent regu-
lations to all postmasterships by
bringing them under the classified
civil service.
Today's action was the first i'm
portant step taken by the new adj
ministration in regard to the gener-
al problem of patronage, and is I'M
derstood to have been decided on af-
ter extended conferences between the
President, Postmaster General Hays
and other high administration Of
ficials. 1t has been forecast as part :
of the postoffice reorganization plan
under contemplation by the postmas-
ter general.
Text OF Order.
The text of President Harding's
order follows:
when vacancy exists or here
after occurs in the position Of post
master at an office of the first, sec
and or third class, if such vacancy is
not filled by nomination of some per-
son within the Competitive classified
civil service who has required quail
fications, then the postmaster general
shall certify the fact to the Civil
Service Commission, which shall
forthwith hold an open competitive
to test the fitness of APP
plicants to fill such vacancy and when
such examination has been held and
the papers in connection Herewith
have been rated, the said commits
sion shall certify the results thereof
10 the postmaster general, who shall
submit to the President the name OF
one of the highest three qualified
sligibles for appointment to fill such,
vacancy unless it is established that
he character OF residence of any
such applicant disqualifies him for
Provided: That at the expira-
ion of the term of any person APP
pointed to such position thru exami- =
ration before the Civil Service Com
mission, the postmaster general may.
n his discretion, submit the name of
uch person to the President for re-
without further exami-
Iation.
mo person who has passed mis- So
birthday or who has not actually re-
ided within the delivery of such Of
Ice for two years next preceding such
-acancy, shall be given the examina-
ion herein provided for.
IF, under this order, it is desired
o make nomination for any office of
person n the competitive classified
ervice, such person must first be
ound by the Civil Service Commits
ion to meet the minimum require
nents for the Office"