Evening star., 1922-05-29
CIVIL SERVICE GIVEN
PRAISE BY WRITER
Replies to Brown Criticism in
Recent Edition Of The
Evening Star.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In an article in The Star. headed
Civil Service Body Held Antiquat-
ed" a summary is given Of a report
prepared by Herbert D. Brown. chief
of the United States bureau of eff
cheney. Therein the Civil Service Com
mission Is apparently made the sub
Ject of adverse criticism because 1t
conducts its work fundamentally
along lines laid down nearly forty
years ago, and does not make a suf-
f1ciently resolute effort to secure posi-
tions In the government for the most
competent available persons" and, in
stead. emphasizes only the minimum
requirements for government posi-
tions."
Now, it happens that the Civil Serv-
ice Commission is required by law to
conduct its work fundamentally along
lines laid down nearly forty years
ago. That was the time the present
Congress has since added very little
to it; in fact, has added next to moth
ing In tho way Of extension or i'm
provement. despite the fact that sue
cessive Civil Service Commissions have
again and again recommended
changes as time has demonstrated
their need. The commission is itself
the creature of law, and in funda-
mentals has such powers and such
only as are by law conferred upon it:
that with it's inadequate force and
woefully inadequate appropriation, 1t
Is q never-failing source of wonder to
those familiar with the facts that 1t
does so well.
A complete answer to the second
criticism Is that our national civil
service law does not contemplate the
appointment Of the most competent
available persons" and. instead, de-
liberately emphasizes the minimum
k. 90
1t postpones the appointment Of the
most competent Gas tested by COM
petitive examinations) to those who.
frequently. can Just get by with as
sistance"; for honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors. etc, Of all our wars.
millions at least, not only pass the
examinations If they attain a rating
of 65 per cent (an others being re-
quired to attain 70), but. If they. pass
at all, have their names placed at the
head of all registers of eligibIes, and
are certified to vacancies ahead of all
others, although such other persons
may have passing averages Of 81 or
% per cent.
Furthermore. in the filling of a large
an apportionment of appointments
among the several states according to
their population. In filling a vacancy
in a position in this great class. GER
tification is made not from those hav-
ing the highest averages. but those with
highest averages upon the register Of
the particular state that has received
the lowest number of appointments to
date. Here again the "most competent
available persons" are quite generally
passed over Both military preference
and apportionment. Of appointments are
required by statute, the latter being a
part Of the civil service law itself. The
commission must obey the law. 1t can
only call attention to the results to the
government service, and this 1t does.
The advertising done by the Civil Serv-
sired. it Is true, but this is because It
Is virtually without money for adver-
tising. in this matter relying princi-
pally upon the grace of the public press.
newspaper editors being requested to
insert civil service announcements as
matters Of news.
If one would learn the basic principles
of and need for efficiency ratings, pro-
motion regulations, retirement" sys-
service, and for the adoption Of the
best practices of the business world
he should read the commissions re-
Congress, and not the Civil Service
Commission, should be the target Of
Mr.. Browns adverse criticism. The
commission must administer the law
as 1t Is, not as they might wish it.
II the law Is faulty or antiquated. the
responsibility as well as the remedy
lies, with Congress. A duty rests upon
the commission to point out what is
needed to an efficient, enlightened gov
ernment civil service. That duty 1t
has faithfully performed. and has done
II we'll GEORGE A. WARREN.