The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-28
Proposed Merger of Govern
ment Personnel Agencies
By BILL PRICE


reported to be getting Of the movement also backed
by the National Federation Federal Employees for the
sodation of these agencies under the Civil Service Commits
sion likewise personnel body.
Under the complicated system of personnel control which
exists in service the Civil Service Commission
conducts examinations the fitness of applicants for Gov
employment makes eligible registers of those
qualified for appointment and keeps track of the
civil status of all employees in the service The Per-
sonnet Classification Board in charge of the administration of
the recssaton act cassifies employees and thus fixes
their compensation The Bureau of Efficiency makes the eff
ficiency ratings which figure largely in the
employees though the ratings later made effective
by the Classification Board. The Employees
pensaton Commission hasa part personnel mat
tiers in awarding compensation in of disability
Here are four personnel agencies Uncle taking
hand affairs of civil service employees from the
his employ They separate and distinct
organizations too with supposed dividing line in their duties
and responsibilities yet erlapping treadng upon the
Of each other of them possessing
fly agency should have dealing with personnel
questions especially in compelling fair and
Of civil service workers.
doesn't extended vision realize that of
these organizations piles around Government employees
endless tape rules and regulations that
appalling in number than the traffic and parking laws and
uations govern Washington require
that they Jumped agency possibly
two there could be brought Qualification
ton and simplicaon of the multitude of rules that prevail
would be plain that the Government could
put to confusion and irritation.
ism easy job it may look its face though and
Congress attempts consolidation to be
long and thorough study of existing regulations
of the problem Of the thing Employees
study the situation carefully before reaching conclusion
to just what is best in such merger
There time when the Civil Service Commission
garded itself the protector genuine
civil service when insisted upon merit counting Govern
ment employment against political influence and pull the
favorism along roadway
The commission had the backing of strong civil service sen
its laws and regulations being observed but it does not
fight so strenuous against influences that are continually
with that gives political pull and office favosm the right
of way.
Practically every Government personnel agency established
upon the theory that its business to safeguard the Govern
ment interests at turn and give little consideration to
the few months
the human side of the Governments relations its employees
seemed not to have been even thought Of All laws all regu
tons all rules originated from the idea making things
er and harder for Government workers and surrounding
them Of restrictions that would hamper their path
way better salaries and better treatment
The duty OF Government employees in this proposed con-
sodatiOn plain If consolidation will not simplify and bet
They don't hop into the hands of ONE agency that
ing They should insist that consolidation should carry with
consideration for them well for Uncle Sam who should
be the model employer Of the world.
who into the Government service
competitive examinations ought have the right
to feel that those examinations have established his her fit
ness to hold position and not nave that position
threatened efficiency ratings and other methods that DO
NOT FAIRLY test actual fitness though they do to
extent
The Civil Service Commission examinations are, fortunately
being turned toward FITNESS of applicants than
before Book learning education emphasized
they The commission is demanding fitness
and in its examinations This being the fit
shouldn't have to fear worry at work and
conscentiously giving good service to the Government
The efficiency ratings which largely form the basis of
employees retention promotion demoton dismissal
made the order of the late President HARDING An old
law which observed for years. revived by the
President in that order The ratings worked out by the
head of the Efficiency Bureau competent and able and
the plan adopted is doubtless good that could
devised They yet lack fairness and justice in
because the ratings arrived at by the appraisement
the qualifications of individuals by other individuals
two appraisers raters likely to agree
working abilities of those appraised One appraiser will give
good rating and another poor rating. =
The viewpoints of rating officers often wide apart
They called upon judgment various service