Evening star., 1934-02-04
LIQUOR Board Personnel.

AnG uOl oOo1u VI L Cl SOAHCl.
The Commissioners have been gen.
orally commended for choice of
members of the new Alcoholic Bev-
erage Control Board made without
considerations of patronage or poll
tics. The three members of the board,
sworn in yesterday. are local citizens,
long identified with the community,
with an intimate knowledge of condi-
tions here and in full sympathy with
the best interests of the city
1t Is to be hoped that this effort
to choose Washingtonians qualified
for the difficult task confronting
them and enjoying the respect of
their fellow citizens will be contin-
ued In the selection of the remain
ing personnel to fill subordinate but
responsible positions on the board
There are soon to be chosen three
assistant corporation counsels, a Sec
retary, eight inspectors and several
typists and clerks. In the case of the
prosecutors and the inspectors, espe-
cially it is obvious that efficiency and
demonstrated merit should be the
prime qualifications, and it is alto
gether right that they should be Sc
lected from among the citizens of
Washington
The residence qualification in the
liquor control act applied only to the
three members of the board. While
It is unfortunate that Congress did
not take the opportunity to write into
the act some qualification that would
apply the merit system to selection
OF the boards subordinate personnel
the following unrepealed executive
order of November 18, 1880, is re-
called:
The Commissioners of the District
Of Columbia and the United States
Civil Service Commission have agreed
that 1t would be in the interest of
good administration to make appoint
ments to positions under the govern
n1ent Of the District of Columbia after
tests Of qualifications The United
States Civil Service Commission is,
therefore, authorized to apply the
principles Of the civil service act and
rules. as far as may be done without
incurring additional expense. by certi-
flying to the Board of Commissioners
the names of eligibies from appro-
pirate registers established for the
Federal service, such certifications and
appointments to be made under regu-
lations agreed upon by the Board of
Commissioners and the United States
Civil Service Commission. Appoint
ments and promotions to the Metro
politan Police and Fire Departments
are already made In accordance with
the civil service act and rules, as pro-
vded by statute.
The regulations based on that
executive order establish the method
Of filling positions-with specific ex-
ceptions-in the District service, and
Get forth that religious or political
affiliations will receive no considera-
ton in connection with the making of
q selection" Preference is given to
the eligibles who were residing in
the District of Columbia at the time
o6 examination and are still residing
there at the time the certificate is
Issued" When there is q shortage
of such eligibles, those within COM
muting distance Of the city are to be
given preference.
The spirit, if not the letter, Of such
regulations is important. In the case
Of the assistant corporation counsels
equitable considerations would suggest
the local bar as the appropriate field
from which qualified lawyers are to
be chosen. In the case Of the in
epectors 1t Is Obvious that these men
should be as well qualified by rigid
selective tests as are members of the
local Police and Fire Departments. In
all cases merit should be the first
consideration. That is the essential
safeguard to the local taxpayers and
the best assurance of successful deal
ing with problems that are peculiar to
regulation Of the liquor traffic.