The Washington times., 1935-11-01
DIPLOMAS HELD
UNFAIR EXAM
REQUIREMENT
By J. EARLE MOSER

Announcement of a campaign
by one of the principal Govern
ment employe organizations
against the growing tendency to
favor college trained men or
women in the Government service
places a spotlight, in the opinion
Of many observers, on a condition
that has proved definitely unfair
to large groups both under and
outside of Uncle Sans wing.
While a college education is ad.
mitted to be an unqueStioned as
set from all quarters, few people
in the low.pay category agree with
the theory that possession Of such
should be made basis for pro
motion, appointment and ehgibil'
ity for Civil Service exams.
In one large independent office
known to the writer, promotions
were handed out some months
ago almost entirely on a basis OF
education. Although efficiency -at-
ings were kept, month to month,
on a strict basis, those with high
grade saw lesser rated people with
diplomas shot upward. Some
canny workers lied, said they had
a college diploma, and aScended
also.
The Civil Service Commission,
above reproach in most respects,
has during the past three years
increased educ ational require
mentS for its examinations until 1t
is almost impossible for a person
whose financial background pre-
vented his receiving a degree to
enter the service except in the
most subordinate classification or
in one Of the various skilled crafts.
An officer high in the commits
sion, but not on it, recently ex-
planned the tendency as pressure
from the various departments,
whom, he said, have become
Brain Trust minded" Another
said that in view of the large
number Of applicants for every ex-
animation, 1--WE feel we might as
well have the cream of the crop"
Elaborating on his drive, how.
ever, President E. Claude Babcock,
of the AFGE, made the following
comment:
Perhaps as a natural result of
the influx of college professors
into administrative positions in
the Government and the appoint
ment of one of them to q position
as Civil Service Commissioner, the
tendency to regard college train
ing as a necessary prerequisite to
entrance or promotion in the serv-
ice has become more and more
pronounced.
Government statistics show
that the proportion of college
trained men and women in the
country is still quite low and an
extension of this practice of re-
serving the better Government
jobs for them is indefenSible in a
democracy composed Of a higher
proportion of men and women
not so trained. All of us remem-
ber cases in which men of high
ability, because of circumstances
over which they have no control
whatsoever, did not have college
training"
Mr.. Babcock, incidentally, is a
former secretary of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission.
According to report, a large
number of workers will visit Ann
apoliS tonight, where Local 1874
of the NFFE is holding a dance
at the CarVel Hall Hotel, from
9 p. m. until / a. m. Support of
the dance has been assured be-
cause all proceeds are to be turned
over to the Maryland State Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees
Unions as the Annapolis locals
share of the $4,000 fund being
accumulated by NFFE for defense
of the merit system.
Jimmy" Carroll, secretary.
treasurer, writes from Annapolis
that he's sure Luther Steward
and Gertrude McNally will be on
hand, and denials haven't been
issued from the NFFE national
office.
Sightseeing trips, all the rage
among personnel just now, have
invaded Agriculture. The recrea.
tional and athletic association of
the department has announced a
trip to New York, for workers
and their friends. The crowd
will leave Thanksgiving Eve,
November 81, and return Sunday
morning, December l. Joseph D.
Cooper is answering requests for
additional information at the
Biological Survey.
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