Evening star., 1935-02-25
Jobs to Fill.

Conservation Corps would furnish
some 10000 jobs under the proposed
relief measure brought several reac-
tions in the Senate. Senator Hastings
accused the Democrats of planning to
find 10000 jobs for as many deserving
Democrats under a measure that was
primarily for relief and which was
submitted to Congress as a nom
partisan measure. The Democratic
leader, Senator Robinson, responded at
length to the effect that Senator Hast
ings would not be aroused if the plan
was to place 10000 deserving Repub-
licans in such jobs. Senator Harrison
added an ironical aside, asking the
Senator from Delaware if "he thought
he could find 10000 Republicans in
the United States to take such jobs"
Senator Long wanted to know whether
the 10000 jobs were to be reserved for
members Of the House, and if the Sem
ate was to be kept away from the pie
counter Senator Glass was indig-
nant at the thought voiced by Senator
Hastings, that any political considera-
tions entered into the Senate Appro-
priations Committees consideration of
the relief bill. Senator Borah sug-
geSted that when the relief bill comes
out of committee again it should pro-
vide very specifically a method for
the distribution of this fund, a method
which will fix responsibility" and
Senator Wheeler joined in with the
wish that all patronage could be dis
associated from the relief bill, observ-
ing that under the Republican admin
istration it was administered by Re-
publicans and is handled by some
Republican organizations in some of
the States today.
It is beside the point whether the
jobs are to be filled by many Democrats
and few Republicans, or by Democrats
alone with all Republicans excluded.
1t is beside the point whether, under
Republican administration, the shoe
would be on the other foot and Demo-
Gratis, or most of them, would be ex-
cluded from consideration. The point
is that no political considerations
should enter the filling of c. c. c. jobs.
Senator Robinson argued that q
change in administration always
brings about the same situation-vic-
torious partisans rewarding their sup
porters and the ousted partisanS cry
ing, Keep politics out of the Gov
ernment." There is no way that he
knows, said the Senator, by which
Senators may escape devoting a ma
terial and substantial part OF their
time in the attempt to reward
their supporters and friends, their
party associates, by securing for them
political Offices"
There is, however, way and that
is for the members of Congress to pro-
tect themselves, and to protect the
public Treasury and the public serv-
ice, by making iron-clad regulations
regarding the choice of public serv-
ants through the civil service; to di-
vest themselves of patronage RESPONSE
bility by making eligibility for Office
matter Of merit, and by making
such regulations stick between admin
istrations. In this respect, Senator
Robinson said:
believe that underlying this dis
cuSsion is a serious principle. I do
not believe that anybody should be
appointed to Office merely because of
his politics. I do not believe that any
one should be placed in position who
is incapable of performing the duties
of that position fairly and efficiently.
But, said the Senator, and there is
always a but in such discussion, But
must now and ever repudiate the
implied theory of the Senator from
Delaware-namely, that only Republi-
cans possess high standards Of quail
fication to perform public service"
It is unfortunate that debates as
to removal Of politics from the public
service seem eventually to descend TO
the level of disputes wherein the pot
calls the kettle black. And as long
as it remains on that level, little i'm
provement Of the public service and
little relief to patronage-b -beseiged
members of Congress is in sight.