Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-21
INFORM IN CIVIL
] SERVICE IS URGED
clinton Rogers Woodruff Points
Out Defects Of Present
System
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETS

,,,,reapolis. juno 21.--The four
...nth annual assembly Of Civil Scrv-
re Commissions began here this morn
-, with delegates present from nearly
.,ery State in the Union. The open
~, address was delivered by Clinton
Pagers Woodruff. president of the
r;ril Service Commission Of tho city of
Philadelphia. who said. in part
"Perhaps the first phase of the pres
ant status of the public service is its
,ncreasing immensity. Whether we
risw the problem from the Federal. the
etate or the city viewpoint we are con
4 ,rcnted with the fact that the number
1 ~ Offices is constantly increasing and
,bst their functions are increasing in
eomplcxity and Importance. whether
,rc ike il or not. government is bulk
Ing every larger in our daily lives.
n..Estimates compiled BY competent
lands indicate that If all civil employees
IN The United States were marshaled in
nne great body. in numbers II would
anal considerably mofe than the entire
n';litary force Of the United states
serying abroad in the late war. Ger
tsinly formidable army of men and
womcn and when we consider that not
onlv the protection of our lives and
nroncrty are in their charge, but the
welfare and happiness of the American
neople. one begins to appreciate how
important how supremely important, is
tbe public service.
W Referring to President Harding's re-
cent utterances regarding the necessity
for increased efficiency in the depart
ments of the Government. Mr.. Wood
rnH expressed the hope that his policy
would be followed by Governors and
MAYORS throughout the entire Nation.
'iAs one result of the conditions de-
scribed by the President, said Mr..
Woodruff, 1--WE find that the official |
records Of the United States Civil Serv-
ice Commission, the Congressional
Joint Commission on Reconsideration
and other agencies reveal conditions
such as these:
HAbout $4,000 men and women en-
ployed BY the Government at less than
living wage.
"As many as ten or twelve different
rates of pay for the same work.
Scientists and highly trained work.
Gs Of many callings paid less than COM
mon labor.
Hundreds Of positions vacant be-
cause the salaries are too low to tempt
applicants.
'No future for employees appointed
on merit because the best positions are
filed by political appointees.
"A 40 per cent turnover in the Gov
ernment service. at cost of millions of
dollars to the Government.
"We need spend no time trying TO
find out which Of these several condi-
tions is the mere subscrvire of sound
public service. No citizen concerned
ubout the welfare of his community
wants tho service to be thus broken
down. No taxpayer wants 10 see his
money continuously put into an old and
wornout machine: and certainly M
employc wants to continue to work
under the inequalities. iniusticeS and
dsheartening conditions that now eX-
iN."
As one means Of improving these con-
6itions Mr.. Woodruff continued, the
National Federation of Federal Em-
ployes is asking for legislation covering
the following points:
First. Recln ssifiCntion of all posi-
tons in the Civil Service everywhere
throughout the United States.
second. "A salary scale which fixes
pay by the skill and training required
for the work. with minimum rate of
not less than the cost Of living as de-
termincd by official Investigations.
Third Appointments and promo
tions on proved qualification. deter
mined and regulated by the United
States Civil Service Commission.
Fourth Removal Of inefficient en-
ployGs in accordance with standards of
efficiency controlled by the Civil Service
Commission
Fifth. Opportunity for advancement
Of pay within a grade, according to eff
bciency.
sixth. Equal compensation and
equal opportunity for promotion ire
spective Of sex.
Z Seventh. A uniform efficiency rating