The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-27
Wiping Out Of an Outrageous
Civil Service Law
RY BILL PRICE.

By BILL PRICE.
There is feature Of the Reconsideration law becoming
effective July upon which there will be unanimous agree
ment to its wisdom and usefulness Employees Of Uncle
Sam win hail it with satisfaction and officials Of the Govern
ment ought to be equally pleased.
Whether not reclascation will accomplish what was
intended and sought there is question that the provision
ment to another inside Of six months after appointment to the
civil service is just and right
There meaner or smaller law than the one
which prohibited transfer OF employees from department
to another inside of six months worked injury to thousands
Of valuable employees stood in the way Of efficient adnistra
ZION by executive establishments and destroyed incentive
In large business in the world would such rule
have been permitted for minute The maxim Of business is
to use the talents and abilities Of employees wherever they are
best suited. The or woman who proves himself or
herself proficient in any certain line properly used in that
ne Not 50 with this outrageous old law that goes into the
In 1906 Of the Government departments had number
Of owsaared encgraphers Its pay for these workers
raphrs constantly seeking employment in other branches
OF the service The best workers left this department which
salaries
Instead of asking Congress increase the pay Of employees
70 level with other Government departments the executive
head Of this particular Congress with tale Of
woe and recommendation that transfers in all departments
ana bureaus De prohibited inside Of three years thereby re-
moving every incentive Of employees to do teir hest on
gress passed the law in 1905 The Civil Service Commission
pfsen sought to have repealed but not successful
OF as soon as civil service apponees have obtained perm
nent status This will prove stimulus to Federal workers
70 III themselves Tor special work become unusually
proficient in their particular fields knowing that if thew
make tine records and achieve regulations they will attract
ne attention OF other departments be position to ann
FOR positions paying better salaries The Government viii be
penef1ted BY being able to shift employees to work better
suited to training or education. Efficiency will be promoted
One weakness OF recassificaon in addition to the fact
That 1t has done mighty little in increasing the salaries of thu
masses OF Government employees is that the administration Of
the law in the hands Of the Personnel classification oard
instead OF the Civil Service Commission which is charged
with the administration Of civil laws and which keens
IN close touch with employees from the time Of their entrance
into the service. - Oe
The Civil Service Commission is equipped for nroner al
n1nlstraton OF the reclascation law reuuired
Know the civil service status Of all employees and us fra
quenty De consulted by executive departments as to per
sonnet The division Of responsibilities between that BODY and
tne personnel Classification Board inevitably result in
conflict with the latter constantly seeking an enlargement
OF w powers and authority Government civilian per
sonnet The building up Of institution will be at the
expense Of the other. ~
Inc fear exists among many thousands of civil service
tnat the Classification Board may yield political
pun and that after ALL service rating and merit will not
count as against political influence That NAV be re-
as the work OF the board proceeds In some
the fundamentals of civil service are now being tested
connection with civilian personnel the abolition of the com
mission may be sought, doubtless will be sought and it's
work placed in the hands Of the new organization
government workers will watch the outcome of thinrs
alter July with the deepest interest Their welfare at
STAKE The continued existence Of the Classification Board
or even OF the Civil Service Commission may depend upon
tne course OF things in the few years Government
as well private business best carried on
through one responsible head Divided responsibilities bring
notnng but trouble including dissatisfaction and unrest
among the workers involved