The Delta independent., 1923-10-26
ECONOMY UNPOPULAR
AT WASHINGTON

w wv. N0ROSA0A vi
respondence).- The difficulties which
officials of the National Administra-
ton always meet when they endeayor
to reduce the public payroll are Illus
trated by the turn of events when
there was a recent dismissal Of lis
plate printers at the Bureau Of En-
craving and Printing. 1t was found
were needed and an order was made for
the dismissal OF this number. In or
der that the dismissals might be made
with a view to promoting the interests
of the Government and without in
justice to employees, an efficiency
test was made SO that the least eff
cient might be dismissed and the Gov
ernment retain those who will render
the most acceptable service.
In this case. as in almost every
other when dismissals are ordered,
protest went up from those who were
to be severed from the government
payroll. This protest would have been
heard regardless of the personnel to
be dismissed Not only did the indi-
vidual employees protest personally.
but they took their complaints to their
Senators and Congressman in an effort
to secure the assistance Of their rep
reSentatives in the legislative branch
of the government to retain their posi-
tions in the executive branch. Natu-
rally, members OF congress. feeling 1t
their duty to look after the welfare OF
I,orlroA in, q
protests as strongly as they felt they
were justified in doing.
There were no charges OF dishour
esty or incompetence against the per-
sons who were singled out for dis
missal. The fact Is that during the
war, when the government was issuing
bonds. there was an abnormal amount
OF work for the Bureau OF Engraving
and Printing and the number Of en-
ployees was greatly enhanced. There
have already been large reductions IN
the force and these reductions are con-
tinring because the work Of the Bur
eau 10 steadily Diminishing. Moreover.
better methods have been instituted.
which also permit the employment OF
a smaller number Of persons.
Feeling under obligations to pro
oect the public interest by reducing
the number Of employees whenever
possible, the Administration ordered
the dismsssals ani did everything they
possibly could do to guard against
favoritism CT the retention OF the
least efficient. Notwithstanding its
good purpose and It's efforts to per-
form its duty as fairly as possible, the
Administration is subject to severe
criticism by the persons who are dis
missed by their friends. and influence
is sought TO prevent this reduction Of
public expense. Some newspapers at
the National Capital take up the cause
OF the dismissed employees and en-
courage the feeling that an injustice
has been done.
From the practical standpoint the
situation which confronts this Admin
istration and every other admfnistra.
ton is this: Persons who are threaten
ed with dismissal. and their friends.
bring every possible influence to bear
to prevent the reduction IN the public
payroll. On the other hand, there 10
no public interest in the effort at econ
omy. The Administrator gets censure
on the one hand and no praise on the
other. No taxpayers league will send
in a communication commencing the
| Administration for its effort at re-
ltrenchment.
1t is this fact that makes difficult
the task OF any administration follow.
ing a period Of abnormal governmental
activity such as that during the World
War.
Junction Boy Takes Prize.