Evening star., 1926-10-25
INSISTS PRESIDENT
DISCIPLINE BROWN
Better Government League
Again Charges Violation of
Classification Act.

The Better Government League
again has asked President Coolidge
to discipline Herbert d. Brown, chief
of the Bureau Of Efficiency, charac-
terized as Senator Smoot's agent.
Referring to two prior letters ad-
dressed to the President. in which
it had been charged there were clear
cut violations Of the personnel classi-
fication act which Senator Smoot of
Utah has been able to direct through
his domination of the chief of the Bu-
reau of Efficiency and his subordi-
nates," DR. Ellery G. Stowell, presi-
dent Of the league. declared in a new
communication to the President, made
public last night, that the failure"
of. the President to act profoundly
discourages the employees of our Gov
ernment."
The Personnel Classification Board,
DR.. Stowell charged, sis still not free
to fulfill the provisions of the per-
sonnel classification act Of 1928"
"Cause of Great Concern"
"Such a state Of affairs" he said,
cannot but be a cause of great con-
Germ. not only to members OF the
Better Government League, but also
to every citizen, constituting as 1t
does, a most fragrant disregard Of the
fundamental principles Of our Consti-
tuition"
The Better Government League,
which was formerly known as the
Civil Service League, is composed or
persons not in the employ Of the Fed
eral Government.
"In spite of the plain requirement,
DIR. Stowell sale, that only pos!tlons
recurring the same education experl-
ence, knowledge and ability are to
be placed in the same class, the Fer
sonnel Classification Board has clas-
sified together carpenters, plumbers.
painters, operating enginemen ana
other skilled tradesmen; agricultur-
lists, botanists, dairy chemists, labora-
tory inspectors and other scientists,
and many other groups which
obviously call for radically different
amounts and kinds of education, eX-
perience, knowledge and ability. DIS
regard of the law In this and other
fundamental respects is SO obvious as
to be beyond dispute.
Charges SmoOt Interference.
"Tor more than eight months, Mr..
President, you have been aware OF
the Personnel Classification Boards
disregard of law and Of the fact that
this disregard can indisputably be
traced to the interference of Senator
Smoot in the affairs Of the executive
branch of the Government. We recog-
nize the improperly Of asking you
to take any action with regard to
Senator Smoot, as that must come
either from the Senate itself or from
Senator Smoot's constituents. We
recognize with equal clearness. how
to support the Constitution Of the
United States and we feel 1t to be
your bounden duty, in view of the
facts which have been repeatedly
called to your attention. to take dis
culinary action with regard to those
members of the executive branch of
the Government who have been will
ing to lend themselves to the accom-
plishment of Senator SmOot's ends.
We cannot but feel that the absence
Of such vigorous disciplinary action
publicly taken, since you have full
knowledge Of the indisputable facts,
constitutes passive approval on your
part Of the action taken by such mem
bers of the executive branch Of the
Federal Government and must be so
interpreted by them and by the pub
lic We feel it our duty to express
our regret that the President of the
United States can view with outward
complacency and inaction the inter-
ference of q member of the legisla-
tive branch Of the Government with
the affairs of the executive branch of
the Government which at one and at
the same time constitutes disregard Of
the fundamental principles of the
Constitution and fragrant violation Of
an act passed by Congress and ap-
proved by the President.
"Your failure, Mr.. President, to see
that the law is obeyed in the province
specifically intrusted to you by the
express terms Of the Constitution,
profoundly discourages the employees
of our Government. Your contin-
uance in office of one who has set the
law at defiance is patent to all and
is having serious effect in breaking
down the morale of the Federal civil
service"