Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-12
bROOKHART PLANS
PATRONAGE CURB
Suggests Executive Order to
Put Postal Posts in Civil
Service.

President Hoover could deal effect
lively with the Southern patronage prob
lem if he would issue an executive or
der making post office appointments
merely civil service matter. in the
opinion of Senator Brookhart of Iowa,
chairman of the Senate subcommittee
which has been investigating alleged
sales of postmasterships in Southern
States.
IF the President would issue an or
der providing for the appointment of
the person who passed the highest ex-
animation, on all points of qualifica-
ton, held by the Civil Service Commits
sion, sale of Offices would be impossible" F"
said Senator Brookhart today.
The Iowa Senator's attention was
called to the wide discussion recently
regarding whom the President should
recognize in granting appointments to
Federal Office in some Of the Southern
States.
"At present." said Senator Brook
hart. 1.-The Civil Service Commission Is
required to certify three persons who
have made the best showing in the ex-
aminations for postal service positions.
It is after these certifications have
been made that dishonest politicians
nave the opportunity to shake down
If the appointment depesN.ed entirely
on the result of the civil service exami-
nation, it would be impossible for any
politician to obtain money for recon-
mending or using influence to bring
about the appointment OF this or that
person"
Senator Brookhart said he realized
that such an executive order would ap-
ply all over the country as well as IN
the States of the South. but he added
it would be entirely satisfactory to him
and he believed it would to other MEM
bers of Congress, who now must give
attention to the selection OF these ap-
pointees to Federal office.
The Iowa Senator intends to go
through to the end with his inyestiga-
ton of the sale of Federal offices IN the
Southern States. He pointed out that
in the last days of the last session the
authority of his committee had been ex-
tended SO as to permit 1t to investigate
charges of the sales of other Federal
offices besides postmasterships, such as
appointments to be United States at
torneys, United States marshals. col
lectors of internal revenue and collec-
tors of customs.
.The major part Of the present diff
Guilty would be cared for If the Presi-
dent should issue an executive order
such as have described with reference
to the post office appointments" said
Senator Brookhart, "for by far the
greater number of Federal appoint
ments come under the Post Office De-
partment. But, so far as I am con-
cerned. I would be glad to see the
other Offices placed under civil service
and dealt with in the same way as ]
have suggested for the postmasterships
and letter carriers, ETC."
The Iowa Senator said he had not
discussed the matter of southern
patronage with the members OF the
Republican national committee, but he
added that the President is not COM
PEELED to recognize the Republican ma
| tional committeeman in the Southern
| States when it comes to making ap-
pointments If he does not see fit to
| do SO.
Furthermore, said Senator Brook
hart, "I do not believe he will recog-
nize some of them"
While Senator Brookhart prefers to
| have the merit system under the civil
service apply in these matters of Fed
| eral appointment, he believes that If
some other system is to be adopted,
! the President might look to some kind
| of committees of prominent citizens
| in those Southern communities which
| are not represented by Republicans in
| the Senate or House for recommends
tions. He called attention to the fact
| that in New York plan for dealing
with Federal patronage has been work.
| ed out with a triumvirate to make
| recommendations, including Charles D.
Hilles. Republican national committee
| (Continued on Page 2, Column g.