Evening star., 1933-01-14
CAMPBELL DENIES
REQUEST TO DROP
PERSONNEL FILES
Civil Service Head Replies to
Statements of Senator
Bingham.
CENTRALIZED RECORDS
DECLARED NECESSARY
Keeping of Departmental Cards at
Headquarters Suggested as
Economy Move.

Thomas E. Campbell, president of the
Civil Service Commission, yesterday
wrote Chairman Bingham of the Senate
Economy Committee taking sharp issue
with a published statement quoting
Senator Bingham as saying that the
commission has recommended decen-
tralization of its personnel files.
This proposal. which appears in the
new economy program, had previously
drawn protest from the commission
In detailed explanation of the atti-
tude on this matter by the commission.
which has proposed that all personnel
records be centered in it's own files,
Chairman Campbell saws that this sug-
gestlon was made to the Senate at the
instance of the late Senator Jones of
Washington.
Sought for Economies.
Chairman Campbell says at the outset
of his letter that when Senator Jones
was chairman of the Economy Subcom-
mittee Of the Senate Appropriations
Committee he wrote the commission
asking for any recommendation as to
changes in the current economy act,
and particularly how additional saw
ings might be effected.
In consequence, Campbell added. the
commission surveyed the field and dis
covered that throughout the depart
ments there are 500 employees, whose
salary totals l,484, 100, engaged on per-
sonnel work.
After this short survey" President
Campbell wrote, ma jority of the COM
mission was of the opinion that appre-
ciable economies could be effectuated
by consolidating the departmental ger
sonnel with the personnel work of the
Civil Service Commission. Recommen-
dation to bring this about was forward
ed to your committee with other recon-
mendationS OF the committee
Then follows the text Of this recon-
mendation. which shows that the com
mission proposed that it be given de-
partmental records except those cover
ing administrative matters In connec-
ton with the appointment, separation
retirement and services of employees, as
a measure OF saving, and also to i'm
prove administration
Gives Additional Data.
The letter to Senator Bingham also
outlines additional data, which was
furnished the committee in connection
with 1t, and laid emphasis on the ne
cessity OF maintaining personnel rec
ordS in its files. In this connection the
commission said:
THE maintenance by the commission
OF complete service record of each in
dividual employe is essential. therefore.
in order that it may administer the
civil service law and regulations with
respect to the retirement, promotion
transfer, reinstatement and other
changes In personnel The commission
deals with an army of employees in the
competitive classified service whose ad-
vancements, retentions, or retirements
depend upon their records. Without
these records, the commission could
not function"
Campbell says in this connection that
he does not see 'how you could have
drawn the conclusion as stated in your
newspaper interview, that the COM
mission recommended the abolition OF
its records"
Concluding, he says: '"The commits
sion has made every effort to give its
best advice to your committee. 1t has
made proposals according to its best
judgment and is sincerely disappointed
that such proposals invited by your
committee are used as the reason and
basis for official and newspaper ridi-
cule.'