Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-06
THE CIVIL SERVICE
REPORT.

vestiGate the actions OF this 9dSuin'
istration with reference to the en-
foreement of the civil service law
and the committee, through its
chairman, w. D. Foulke, has just
made 4 report Of its findings Of
fact. The report is a lengthy one,
but r. M. Marsh, secretary OF the
Civil Service Reform league, has
just given out to the public this
brief synopsis of its contents:
Politics is dominating influence
in postmaster appointments.
Exhaustive investigation shows
over IS per cent of appointments
other than first person on list.
In 90 cases out of 90 republicans
appointed.
Recommendations by republican
congressman controlling. Local
political committee and local po-
litical leaders-supported by repub-
liean coneressmsn-determined ap-
pointments.
Under President R~oosevelt's ad-
ministration 80 per cent of appoint
ments were first person on list.
Postmaster General Work admits
present practice results in political
appointments. Would subject ap-
pointrnents to departmental exam-
nations under his own control.
The report is based on investiga-
ton of appointments in 20 states in
all parts of country. Information
from official documents, depart
ment reports, candidates in exam
nation and appointees.
Report gives specific cases Of
fragrant violations of the spirit Of
Harding executive order for ap-
pointments of postrnasters. Letters
of congressman and political organ
izations given in report. Specific
cases cited.
Committee recommends rule OF
appointment of highest man on list
restored.
Taking up specifically the cases
Of postnasters placed under the
civil service rules by Woodrow
Wilson by executive order. but
modified by President Harding 80
that any one of the three highest
in the examination might be select
ed instead of the highest as in the
Woodrow Wilson order, the COM
mission reports as follows:
Postmaster General Work. who
on March 4 last succeeded Mr..
Hays, stated to us that he was in
favor Of removing these places from
the examination system under the
civil service commission and re-
curing appointments to postmast-
erships through a competitive de-
partmental examination. In answer
to q question as to whether this
would not result In political ap-
pointments, he said that this was
the result under the present prac-
tice; that when the department re-
ceived a certification from the civil
service commission it was referred
to the congressional representatives
from the district and that the rec
concentrations Of congressman were
DR.. Work, further stated
that all other, things being equal,
he would always select a republican
if he we're among the first three.
THUS it is virtually politics
determines the appointment
and not the community to be serv-
ed. nor the comparative excellence
of the applicants as shown by the
list. We have very album
dant proof as to the motives which
animates the congressman to whom
patronage is given. He uses
it in many cases for his own po-
purposes. He takes the man
recommended by his district COM
or his county committee of
political organization it
is upon which he has himself de-
for his election. Sometimes,
indeed, these recommendations take
on the aspect of an imperative duty.
Congressman John Jacob Rog-
ers write to President Dana of the
November 9, 1921: I feel
it my duty to comply with every
request of the postoffice depart
ment for a recommendation But
duty has its profitable side.
This same congressman wrote to
Capt. Frederick c. Kean, who had
received the highest percentage on
his examination after eight years
experience in postoffic work, and
aad sacrificed his business by 60