Evening star., 1923-09-02
CLASSIFYING WORK
RUSHED BY BOARD
Members Reviewing Per-
sonnet Questionnaires Keep
Constantly on the Job.

So eager is the personnel classfi-
cation board to return to the depart
ments and establishments in the Dis
trict of Columbia the questionnaires,
reviewed as approved by the board,
before the end of next week that
part of the personnel not only worked
yesterday afternoon, but will stay on
the job today and tomorrow.
Pressure on the board for return
Of the questionnaires as tentatively
allocated results from the huge
amount of work involved, it is stated
by the board. and also from the fact
that departments and establishments
were la tie in turning in their ques-
tlonnalreS with the original informa :
ton.
The data were asked by the board
on June /, but it was many weeks
later before all questionnaires were
In the hands of the board, which is
now rushed at top speed to turn
them back to the departments and
establishments in time for formula
tion of the estimates to go to the
bureau of the budget by Septem-
ber 10.
Hope to Conclude by Last of Week.
BY the last of next week it is ex-
pected the desks at temporary build
ing No. at goth and b streets, the
classification board headquarters, will
all be clear of the District of Colum-
bia data and be ready to proceed
with other features of the work.
Rumblings of discomfort with some
of the ALLEGATIONS already made by
the board, information concerning
which has reached the persons af-
fected. have begun. These have been
expected, it il explained, but there
will be opportunity given after Sep
tember 15, the board explains, for
emDlOEpS RI
their objections. Government en-
ployes already have begun to present
their cases in writing, but it is under
stood oral hearings may be held after
September Is, during the period in
which final class specifications are
being prepared and while final allo-
cations for pay purposes are being
made.
Procedure Criticized.
Criticism of the personnel board
had risen from some quarters because
of the procedure followed in classify
ing personnel in the District of Co
lumbia, in connection with the liaison
officers from the board working with
committees set up in the departments
and establishments, to review the al
locations made by bureau officials
Representatives of the board how
ever, have been in continuous touch
with these committees, with the re-
suit, it is said on high authority.
that when the classification sheets
come before the board itself there
are comparatively few instances. of
disagreement"
This preliminary work done by the
departmental committees, it is ex-
planned. has expedited the work of
the BOARD without prejudice to the
Individual cases; The liaison officers
board are said by the board to have
In no case assumed an arbitrary at
tftude where differences of view be-
tween them and the departmental
committees have arisen. They un-
derstood, 1t is said, that the depart
ments were well within their rights
when the departments asked to have
any ALLEGATION in dispute go to the
board itself for decision.
Papers Carefully Scrutinized.
1t is understood. however, in this
connection. that the board has no,
perfunctorily put it's o. K. upon the
work of it's agents, rendering de.
cisions only in those cases in whicl
differences of opinion have arisen be.
tween Its liaison officers and the de-
partments. All classification sheets
coming to the board have received its
personal scrutiny, with intent to con-
slider every case fairly, 1t is said, anC
to do full justice. to all employees.
Due to the short time in which the
board necessarily has been rushed tt
complete its work under the law, ii
time for the submission to Congress.
of next years estimates. including the
new ALLEGATION, the board unofficial.
ly has let it be known that some
trouble necessarily would arise, Il
was understood today, however tina,
the board hopes that any errors o,
ALLEGATION disclosed by investigation
and study, or brought to light b,
briefs or hearings held, can be cor.
rected before any legislation /.
enacted by Congress.
Work on the field services is pro.
crossing as rapidly as possible, un.
der the circumstances. with pressure
put on the survey being made OF
similar work and pay throughout
the country in concerns outside the
government.