Evening star., 1925-06-21
100000 VETERANS
| JOIN CIVIL SERVICE
Receive Preference in Ap.
pointments Through Act
Passed After War.
BY WILLIAM c. DEMING,
President United States Civil Service
Commission.

Approximately 5000 claims for
preference in appointment to posi-
tions in the classified civil service
have been allowed by the United
States Civil Service Commission un
der the veteran preference acts OF
March 3 and July II, 1919.
OF the 3l5, 900 veterans who entered
examinations, about 224,OO0 qualified
and became eligible for appointment
and more than 80 900 actually have
received appointment.
These figures do not mean that the
Federal civil service force has been
increased by the appointment of vet
Grams. The fact is that there has
been a reduction of more than $50. .00O
employees since the armistice. But
the turnover in a force so large as
the Federal civil service requires
from $4,000 to $4,000 appointments
each year TO fill vacancies, notwith-
standing the net reductions.
Veteran preference legislation and
regulations are based upon the belief
that men who served the Nation faith
fully with the colors are entitled to a
certain preference in appointment to
positions in the civil service. Our
veterans deserve all possible consider
alton.
\ further principle upon which
veteran preference regulations are
based is that a veteran is entitled TO
receive appointment in preference to
non-veteran who is equally quail
fled. My observation has been that
the veterans themselves recognize the
justice of the requirement of the civil
service regulations that they shall
demonstrate their ability through eX-
animation to hold positions to which
they are appointed. 1t is safe to as.
sumo that veterans are at least as
strongly interested in the welfare of
the Government as any other class of
persons. They have riSked their
lives for the good OF the Nation and
for the maintenance of the Govern
nent. They must wish the Govern.
ment TO be conducted in the most
efficient manner possible.
The whole civil service system of
the United States Is based upon the
principle of merit. Under the merit
system 1t would be inconsistent if all
employees were Republicans or Demo
Gratis or Progressives. If all employees
were Protestants or Catholics or Jews,
If all employees were soldiers or
sailors or civilians. The appointees
must be drawn from all classes and
the hrst consideration must be ability
TO perform the particular work to
which appointment is made.
Other things being equal, however
or approximately so, those who have
faced the perils and privations OF
war should be given preference.
Congressional Law.
An act of Congress of July II. 1919,
provides: That hereafter in making
appointments to clerical and other
positions In the executive branch OF
The Government. in the District OF
Columbia or elsewhere. preference
shall be given to honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors and marines and
widows of such, and to the wives of
injured soldiers, sailors and marines
who themselves are not qualified, but
whose wives are qualified to hold
such positions"
Preference regulations promulgated
by executive order under the general
provisions of the law allow to the
veteran the following advantages: -=..-.
(al He is released from all age
limitations.
tb) He Is released from the law and
rules requiring that appointments in
the departmental service at Washing.
ton be made. so far as practicable
proportionately to the population of
the respective States
(c) He is released from height and
weight requirements, except for posi-
tions of watchman, guard, policeman
and some other positions of similar
nature.
i'd For eligibility n rating Of 20 per
cent is required of all applicants
Veterans are given points and dis
abled veterans 10 points in addition
to their earned ratings in examina
tions. The time during which an ap
plicant's occupation was interrupted
by service during the World War
may be reckoned by the Civil Service
Commission in making up required
periods of training and experience
when such are required. and when.
ever military training or experience
is of definite value In fitting a veteran
for the duties to be performed it
shall be considered in rating the ex-
animation. This means that the vet
eran's papers will be rated, giving due
regard to his military service, and
that he will then have points (oi
II a disabled veteran. 10 points, added
TO his earned rating, and his name
will be placed on the register with
other eligibles in the order Of his
augmented rating. A non-veterar