Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-13
BY WILL =. KENNEDY.


you don't need political pull in
" Washington, as is shown in the
occupancy of the highest adj
IL ministratfve positions through
out the Civil Service by men
and women who have earned promo
ton and won their way upward from
the lowest grades.
One of the most pitiful sights in
this Capital City, especially at the
change OF administration or the close
of Congress, is the procession of
lame ducks" waddling toward char
aty Job through political favoritism.
And in contrast, one of the most
glorious typically American sights is
TO see ambition climb up from humble
start, by sheer pluck and persever-
ance and work well done, to the most
important positions of responsibility.
One of the greatest liabilities on our
Governments balance sheet is the
roster of political ppointees-those
who got their positions through pull"
And In contrast. the greatest asset is
the efficient services of those who
worked their way up on merit. who
know their jobs, and who are keeping
the wheels of Government moving, no
matter whether Republican or Demo
Gratis come or go in administration
The activities of the United States
Government embrace every field of hu.
man endeavor and require the employ
ment of more than a half million per-
sons. Approximately $4,000 of these
are employed in Washington. The
occupations represented cover a wide
range and include a large number of
professional, scientific, technical and
executive positions. In recent years
there has been a growing tendency to
fill even the highest executive posi-
tions, which are subject to appoint
inent by the President. by the promo
ton of subordinate employees.
Impatient youth exclaims: But you
have to stay in one rut until you
grow old to get a decent salary or
be put in charge of anything" That's
where youth is wrong, for the records
show promotions to 800 and $4,000
positions in the relatively brief periods
of 10 to 20 years.
A comparatively few years ago wom-
en- were to be found in the Govern
ment service almost exclusively in the
lower grades. The field of opportun-
tiles for them has broadened, how
ever, and today considerable mum.
Der of women are holding responsible
Professional and executive positions
with good salaries.
The assistant to the chief of the
Children's Bureau, Katherine +. Len
root, entered the service II years ago,
i'm 1915, as a special agent at $1,000
and her present salary is $4,000. A
woman attorney in the general ac-
counting office, Clara Greacen, whose
salary is $4,000, began "a years ago
rs a stenographer at 5000. The assist
ant director of the Mint, Miss Mary
M. O'Reilly, whose salary is $4,000,
entered upon her Federal career in
1904 as 5000 copyist. A chief of
Office IN the Department of State,
Margaret M. Hanna, with salary of
$4,000, has risen from a typist po-
sition paying 5000, and she has served
20 years.
These instances of advancement
could be multiplied, and recent legisla-
ton provides that. in determining rates
of compensation, the principle of equal
compensation for equal work, irrespec-
tive of sex, shall be followed, so women
today have a better opportunity than
ever before.
And now for a few concrete illus
trations.
A representative of one great class
n in our composite American citizen |
ship--the immigrant class-and its |
opportunities, without pull" to ad
vance even as far as to become a l.
A
have James j. Davis. He came to
this country in the steerage. AS a
boy he shined boots at the depot and
hotel In Sharon. Pa. Although he
BACKED boots, he never was boot
lickert in the political sense. He was
not subservient as are political
lackeys, but always two-fisted man
among men. In fact. one Of the big |
thrills of his early life was to trounce
the town bully who derided his home
made, hand-me-down, faded trousers.
Bruised and bleeding in a Southern
peon camp, where he and other
hungry men had been trapped by |
brutal slave driver, he drank the |
bitter cup Of unrequited toll. From /
this utter depth, in less than 30 |
years he rose to the Office of Secretary |
of Labor.
In Secretary Davis department /
there are many other examples OF
faithful services rewarded by advance
ment. Thomas B. Shoemaker in just |
a quarter of a century has advanced /
from a salary of $500 to his present /
post as deputy commissioner of nat |
uralization at a salary of 5000. Ra- |
mond F. Crist, commissioner of nat |
uralization, started in at $500, and to-
day he is receiving Sc 900, and he has !
~ a