The Bismarck tribune., 1935-04-19

washington. April ls-No end Of nasty cracks hay.
been made at Jim Fsrlsys spos system and At neposn
Its about time somebody looked At the persona
friend racket and nepotism in the huge federal admin
istrative machine which figure just Importantly II
distribution Of New Deal patronage-with results often
Just ~ sour.
The two systems combine to invest with absurdity
the theory that appointments to most government job
are based on efficiency and merit.
Outside the Farley-Harju lob machine, which ha.
had Its best success operating with regular government
departnents-especally justice and commerce-the
town is full Of small groups Of major and minor off,
cias we'll individuals who have established pe-
nomena records in getting jobs for friends acquaint-
ances. wives, and sweethearts
reasons Some seek to widen their little spheres Of In
fluence and thus expand sense Of power.
Some are sincerely seeking the best possible talent
for New Deal agencies and want to pick associates
subordnates from those Of whose merit they personally
are aware.
Others are paying Oft various kinds Of debts and still
kindness And many out to land every possible
member Of their families on the federal payroll.
AND WHAT A MIXTURE!
The result has been queer melange in New Deal
personnel Of able workers. nitwits cair-warmers and
just $3.50 employees.
brilliant persons who supply all the work and all the
brains and three four more-of equal status-who
represent mere waste Of taxpayers money.
Many an able person has been recruited who
couldn't have obtained q Democratic endorse
ment. But many mean injustices have been done
to superior men and women whose appointments
have been blocked because inferior person
with pull sought the same Job.
There's no beginning and no end to this nebulous
system I'm trying to describe Except as it begins in
the White House with Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt and the
secretarat and ends with the Negro elevator operator
at RFC who is striving to get his girl friend similar
job at interior or agriculture In other words every
body plays the game.
ROPER DOES WELL BY KIN
At least three cabinet members have relatives in
be unfair to name them because there probably
others) Roper had five relatives drawing government
pay when the last count was made. Millionares with
alleged New Deal sympathies have had little trouble
landing their In berths for the experience"
Quite few society gals are sprnkled around Gen:
er Johnson started in by loading NlsA with personal
associates whom he knew he could trust"
One man who three years ago was collect.
ing money to beat Roosevelt for the presidency
has landed six members Of his family In govern
ment berths.
smart woman who came to town about q year ago
has successively berthed two sons daughter-in-law
and finally herself There are many such instances
.MAKEs GOOD"
The other day ran into fellow who before repeal
was one Of the capitals bestknown bootleggers. BY
Fostering his old customers in high places he had
placed four youths who used to liquor
for hin,-and also the sister of one Of them.
He was now ABOUT to approach one OF the three or
four most important New Deals officials to get job for
himself knowing the Official doubt II he made out
very we'll this trne)
One think Of several subdivisions Of government
with NICE midde-aged elderly people who
are there because they had sympathetic friends and
simply had to have job"
PUT WIVES TO WORK
Many husbands have kept working at it until they
managed to obtain two incomes for the family instead
Of But the $5ooo-a-year husbands usually have
had placing their wives than the fellows
struggling along $1,000 year who badly need more
money
The moral Of all this Is perhaps the same one that
has always applied to neposn In congress congress
mans wife may be the best possible secretary
both for him and his constituents Or such relative
may be who his office or, In any
event, has no place on the federal payroll.
But one things sure: Warrington was never such
q paradise for the born-wir -puler.
Copyright 1885, NEA Service, IncD