The diamond drill., 1922-02-10
BY EDWARD G. LOWRY
Copyright. Western Newspaper Union
XIV.
UP TO YOU AND CONGRESS

tenn at all. The reform accomplished
by the establishment OF the civil sery-
Ice commission and the merit system
has touched but one phase OF the per-
sonnel problem, and that but partially
entrance into the government serv-
ice. Practically nothing has been done
In the way OF erecting the government
services into careers that will attract
and retain efficient men. Bad as con-
ditions were In this respect before the
war; they have become many times
worse during and since that event
The correction OF these evils pre-
sents a problem of great complexity.
IL cannot be achieved by a half
hearted or halfway tinkering with the
present system. Nothing but a thor
ough overhaullng OF the whole person
mel system and the establishment OF
new system covering all phases OF
the question and emb0dying the most
approved principles OF personnel adj
mInlstratlon Will meet the needs OF
the situation. Fortunately a begin.
ming has been made In this direction.
IL at least furnishes a starting point
for action looking To the giving to the
government of the personnel system
that II must have IL government work
Is 10 be even measurahly well done.
The situation now Is that there Is
an inslstent demand on the part of
the public that the whole administra-
tion OF the national government be put
upon more efficient basis, and that
the present waste OF public funds, re-
sultlng from present defective organ
ization and methods, shall cease; that
congress is alive 20 this demand and
has made start toward meeting it
lat .h@ Fundamental aefects la :he
existing system are well known; and
that the direction efforts looking 10
reform should take are clearly estab-
llshed. The responsibility Is thus
sduareiy up 20 congress.
IL the problem that confronts con.
gress In securing this laudable end is
analysed IL will be found that the
fundamental reforms are: The re-
form by congress itself OF its own or
ganization and methods OF procedure; !;
the entire revision OF the present sys.
TEN under which the financial needs
OF the government are determined and
provided; the setting up OF an agency
and procedure through which the ex-
pcnditure Of public funds may be
properly controlled and congress be
given that information regarding such
expenditures which II must have IL II
is TO assure itself that its agents, the
administrative services, are properly
performing their duties, and to act In.
telligently In respect 10 the future
grant OF funds; the provision Of an
organ through which the President
charge his duties as head OF the ad-.
ministratlon the reorganization OF
the administrative branch OF tile gov
ernment so as 10 eliminate the pres
ent widespread overlapping Of juris-
dictions and functions and indefensl-
BILE duplication OF services, organiza-
tlon. plant and work and the com
plete recasting Of the present system
under which the personnel required
10 man the governmental plant is Sc
cured compensated, promoted, as
signed TO particular tasks and con.
trolled. 10 the end that not only jus
tice will be done TO the several classes
of governmental employees, but that
a personnel system Will be established
that will insure maximum OF efh.
cheney In the actual conduct OF public
affairs.
A study OF action actually had or
now under way shows that steps have
been taken toward the accomplishment
OF each OF these fundamental reforms
The Introduction OF budget system
Il long step forward.
1 don't mean in the least 10 give the
impression that all private business
is perfectly run and that only govern
ment business is badly managed, or
that all the efficient people are In pri-
yate employ and only inefficient In the
public service. Neither OF those con-
ditions exists.
In the common phrase, you have got
TO hand II TO Alexander Hamilton for
deyising scheme that has stood up
since revolutionary days. IL has not
been fundamentally altered since his
day. There has been no readjustment
OF salaries In the departmental sery-
Ice for sixty years. That implies
certain loyalty and falthfulness on the
part OF the workers.
My only desire Is TO disclose the
present condition OF government EN-.
ployment; that good men are leaving
and that the present tendency, II not
checked, will inevitably drive out OF
the service ell OF the efficient and
leave only the mediocre and lncom.
petent. I have said little myself. but
have chosen 10 let the men working
for the government tell the story. Ev.
cry assertion Of fact In these articles
comes from some responsible source
or authority within the service / am
not making q criticism or attack from
the outside. hut merely serving as
,noVehnfafa Tor xnur hlre1 man