The Washington times., 1923-03-24
DISABLED VETS
FLAY CIVIL
SERVICE
Men Must Storm Citadel" e
Get Justice, Their Chair
man Declares.

Justice and allegations that "pref.
erences authorized by Congress are
disregarded and oligarchy prevails
are contained ii o lengthy letter to
the commission from II. III. Raege,
chairman OF the national legislative
committee Of the Disabled American
/ Veterans OF the World War.
The letter, which makes . vigor-
Gus attack on President HArding's
recent executive order defining
rules for preference to war veterans
seeking Government posltlons,
prompted a detailed reply BY the
Civil Service Commission in which
defense OF the Presidents action
is ATTEMPTED.
All the correspondence was gwen
out at the White House today with
view to clarifying the meaning
and intent Of the Executive ORDER
a. IL has been subjected to severe
criticism b. not only Mr.. Raege.
but American Legion officials and
veterans organizations. .
asTt is the privilege OF the Civil
Service Commission to make the
necessary rules and regulations TO
carry out the expressed intent or
| Congress-" says Mr.. Raege in his
letter TO the commission, referring
to the act giving preference to
veterans.
Congress Limit Reached.
.sThe ex-service man II IN q posi-.
ton where he can only secure redress
from that department. Congress can
20 no further. Ex-service n1en VIII
have to storm the citadele Of the
Civil Service Commission; It - the
only, recourse.
It is the contention Of Mr.. Raege
and other Representatives Of the
former soldiers that the executive
sleralized" preference in the civil
service and puts them at . dioad'
vantage rather than giving them
higher ratings and real preference.
The commission, on the Otnsr
hand, firmly maintains that the
order actually operates to the benefit
| OF the veteran and gives him unpre.
| cecented preference and AdvAnt@g yes.
Mr.. Raege says In his letter:
1.-THE disabled American veteranA
are in favor Of efficiency in the Gov
eminent service. Next to God, our
/ Government ID our first conceFn'
I've have fought for IT. we have
| preserved II. All we ask te . con
/ tinued opportunity 20 serve y. 49, ~.
| results OF the war may have partially
| incapacitated some OF u.
| Are we TO be further penaliSeo
for the service we rendered.
Criticizes Reform League.
"That close corporation, the Civil
Service Reform League, laudB the
Civil Service Commission Tor tta
action in further restricting oppor'
| tunity OF ex.service men TO secure
and retain Government positions
This league, self-appointed guardian
| of the Civil Service Commission, has
denounced the preference extended
ex.service men by grateful Con
| crosses.
"FoIlowing its approval OF the
restrictive order promulgated by the
Civil Service Commission, the Civil
Service Reform League concedin1
that the Civil Service rules and reEu
| lations are to be jockeyed and
played with, ask the President whS
twenty.seven officials Of the Bureau
| OF Engraving ana Printing were dis
charged over q year ago ana why
three have been reinstated ct In
| fericr positions at about one-hall
their former salaries.
Fifteen others OF these twenty
seven persons who were dismissed
have been made eligible to re.entei
| any part Of the classified service II
appropriate positions IL able to %
cure them with the stigma Of dis
nissal on their records. No ex
PLANTATION has been made; probably
none will be made. These facts
clearly point out again the fact thai
the Civil Service law, rules. and
regulations are the subject OF con
slant manipulation.
Preferences authorized by Con
gress are disregarded and oligarch1
prevails"
The Civil Service Commission dis
claims any responsibility for state
ments emanating from the Nationa
| Civil Service Reform League, ant
in it's letter points out specific ad
men under the regulations pronul
gated by the commission at the direc
ton Of President Harding.
New Benefits Cited.
These are the new benefits, Al
enumerated In the commissions let
ter to Mr. Raege:
1. The provision referred to above
requiring that IAN appointing Off
Ger who passes over a veteran ell
gible and selects a nonveteran with
the same or lower rating shall place
in the records Of the department his
reasons for so doing"
2. The provision that I'm exannina
ton where experience Is an element
OF qualifications time spent in the
military or naval service OF the
United States during the world wal
or the war with Spain shall be credit
ed in an applicants ratings where
the applicant actual employment In
a similar vocation to that for which
he applies was temporarily interrupt
ed by such military or naval service
but was resumed after his discharge
3. The provision permitting the
commission to waive in its discretion
the physical requirements in tho
caSe of g. disabled veteran who Ap
plies for civil service examination
for which his disability would other
wise bar him.
4. The provision that eligibles who
have been granted military prefer
ence shall be certified to position.
in the District of Columbia without
regard to the apportionment of ap
pointments among the different
States.
/ s. The provision that when reduc
tons are being made in the force, ir
any part Of the classified service
no employe entitled to military pref
erence in appointment shall be dis