The Washington times., 1921-12-01
The Weak Spot of CiUiI
Service Examinations
By BILL PRICE.

ByBILL PRICE.
We have received this most interesting letter from
JOHN H. BARTLETT, president OF the Civil Servic>
Commission and every word Of it will be deeply inter
ssng to all who wish to the civil service perfected
to the fullest extent in usefulness to the Government
and in tisfaction to the thousands of workers fo
Uncle Sam
Helpful indeed your editorial in The Times bscsuss
calls public attention to IT, in the system BY
which the supposedly best are drawn from the public
for Government service.
My thought has not been At any time that the moral
character Of those the Government At the present
time not good 1t probably above the average In fact
did not have what may strictly called moral chsrscsr
IN mind quite much did Of ndvd
uas which we have good word describe might
schoaTshp plus We all appreciate that there
mendous difference between people Of the scholastic
difference How to inject this pus quantity ratings
competitors difficult and do not claim
to hsve clearly defined method be
the Civil Service had funds organize whose bust
ness would be constantly to determine this "pus" quantity
all applicants could better servants
and that the competition would be ard
popular basis would ignore scholastic side III
course but the question houd there not be
some Of those qualities Of personality which have dssg
mated plus" qualities Industry" "ndosnce"
woruness azness" strong natural integrity" against
"a generally weak character "ear unquesoned uprghtness
against natural devhnes unqusstioned
againss bad character?"
speech illustrated the point by
too had to be dropped public
Of irregularities and improper complaints
come us from all sections of the country and particularly the
large cities In the posofce of the City of New York.
instance rather in the postal system CITY,
employees Chicago something the same
and all the country there srge groups
wants large cente We constantly holding examinations
and making Qualifications very large supply
mands Of these centers where there all great
We are examining some 100000 persons per year.
They constantly having trouble with
whom certify to them that would Be
scholastic attainments Of hundred candidates
postoffce Of big city could hold which
could make scrutiny and then
tgaon to the end that those who would probably
might be eliminated before the had had its
perience with them
think you grasp my meaning really is not the danger
here in Warrington among police force that
every other place The force comparatively small believe
would be comparatively easy look them up considerable
horoughnsss There has been quite here think
with careful scrutiny the Of this Commission
the part the District Commission, there would special
trouble had thought Of rejecting upon the police
Washington, whom universally
efficient merely illustrating the point which making
you.
We the past, are having good Of
trouble with the mails of the country. do think that
should be put in postoce to handle mail and
until he has thoroughly been looked up He should
for the probationary period without and
very careful investigation of him.
sufficient say postmaster look
UP. He selects from list whom cert ~
to be eligible do not think should certify list eligible
made investigation Of them which suggest
again. the three highest from whom the selection made
might entirely different in the rating these "pus" qualities
which have described had been taken into account.
Your editorial wholly right and there is really Of
my writing you letter. except person
your with the public should have clearly mind
idea.
To accomplish these things which have spoken about requires
some expansion this department. which in requires appro
prations Publicity the thing which to this end
wrong would be glad and ready to conced it, and
am right would appreciate your cooperation.
We all interested in the same Government and think
all believe should have the
wants available in the country and that they should
Realizing the present defects of civil service examine
tons and cefications of egbles, the able presiden
of the Civil Service Commission will doubtless find
way that will lead to strengthening the weak spot.
Many executive heads of the Government have expe