The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-24
The INERT System" in the
Government Service
By BILL PRICE.


An intelligent Washngtonan calls attention to newspaper
statements that President COOLIDGE ignores the patronage
system and makes promotions to hgner places In the 0OV
The writer charges that in the strictly civil service part Of
practically the whole civil service dominated by cques
large and small which have become autocatc through long
office and the policies employed in the admin
stration of the Redistribution law
BE further alleges that there has been built bu
reaucracy that well nigh ntoerabe in it's effects upon the
employees of the Government and in the dsre
gard of fairness shown to these employees by auocac chiefs
President Coolidge has not had opportunity confer with
the executives of departments and bureaus to conditions
for himself to the truth fay OF numerous complaints
throughout the departments that the merit system no
longer exists There many momenous national and inter
national problems pending before him and Congress They
quire careful study and profound thought
venture opinion however that President Coolidge
will go conditions the civil when he has the
time His attitude toward rent legislation in the District
evidence unmindfu of the struggles of Govern
en employees to live in half comfort under the soaring
for all things His record that Of profound fairness and Of
determined purpose right wrongs there gross wrongs
the administration civil the President will
the responsibilities that belong him of rigng them
he cannot however, do everything at once nor in few
charges Congressional pull inside cques
working hand in hand to control the Of the civil
service in Washington and elsewhere are widespread
seemingly well buressed by actual to be
ignored indefinitely Congress appears to be sensing the
situation be getting ready deal with it when i'm
portant national problems out Of the way.
the Reconsideration Board is deliberately lending aid to
building combinations OF chiefs and petty chiefs IN the
Government departments the facts going to
the board is not doing this the facts should be
The Redistribution Board is absolutely
troed the Efficiency Bureau which started years
ago with few employees and today the most powerful Gov
organize in the city of Washington catering
fully the desires of influential Senators and congressman
turn being favored by them when appropriations
being made and further Capitalization of being
ferred
AS matters stand today the Efficiency Bureau controlling
the Redistribution Board holds the future Of every civil
service worker in Washington in its grasp through classified
tion schedules and efficiency ratings When to this added
alleged combination with many chiefs and
there unlimited power favor Government workers who
may dc serious harm those who be
bold defiant in criticism.
What should made clear that this immense power
used wholly in behalf of real merit courageousy ignoring
and political favores who constantly devise rules and
regulations Cypress and huate the workers under them
The Efficiency Bureau may not be what is charged against
but it only natural that any Government agency which
constantly striving gather within its grasp and
greater powers should lend willing to Congressional
fuence that control appropriations and legislation Of direct
bearing upon that agency This would Of course establish
the proverba 1u tickle you and you tickle me- arrange
ment
The Efficiency Bureau should and sincerely hope
does give weight political pull matter what party
power and that it does not through the Redistribution
Board favor the ups in making increases Of salaries
simply because the higher ups are rule under the
protection Of political chieftans, working harmonousy
with the alleged inside combination.
Any system by which the nderpad employees Of the Gov
get little increases salaries
the whole country regards promotions "for merit"
There enough in the charges being made Congress and
elsewhere to call for searching investigation determine
whether the merit system is virtually thing of past