The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-22
CIVIL SERVICE
MEET STUDIES
'LAY-0FFS'
BY ]. EARLE MOSER

CINCINNATI, Oct. 22.-Legis.
lative discussion concluded, more
than 200 delegates to the Civil
Service Assembly of the United
states and Canada turned here
today to one of their most ticklish
problems-how to handle dismiS-
sails and layoffs with the least pain
to workers.
Considered dangerous ground by
officials because of opposition
offered by employe organizations
against almost any plan generally
adopted, the subject was expected
TO draw heavy interest, with A. E.
Carey, director of the Wisconsin
State Bureau of Personnel, acting
as chairman of the morning forum.
In other talks today, Robert L.
johnson, president of the Ma
tlonal Civil Service Reform League,
was to describe how industry fol
lows the government in handling
personnel problems, and Secretary
H. Elliot Kaplan of the same or
gan1zation, was scheduled for a
luncheon discussion on the best
methods for discovering admins.
trative talent within a department
or bureau.
Employment Discussed
Early sessions also were to see
general discussion of employment
service programs, the Govern
ment'S occupational research pro-
gram being described by William
Stead of the Labor Departments
washington employment service
office. DR.. ISmar Baruch, Civil
Service Commission classification
chief, planned to outline advan-
tages Of occupational research to
other administrative officials pres
ent.
Yesterday, the first session of
the twenty-eighth annual conven-
ton of the assembly, was devoted
almost entirely to discussion of
impending and necessary legisla-
ton for Civil Service workers fol-
lowing receipt of messages from
President Roosevelt and Governor
Alfred M. Landon renewing
pledges to extend the merit Sys-
tenn.
The delegates, who include two
Canadians and one from Puerto
Rico, heard President Harry B.
Mitchell Of the United States Civil
Service Commission, declare that
statutes for putting all postmas-
tiers under civil service are the
most important step needed to
bolster the cause of the merit syS-
tenn.
Patronage Censured
Mitchell also struck at patron
age by pointing out that in
Great Britain members of Parlia.
ment would think it unethical to
use pull in advancing friends
in the Civil Service, but added
that while Congressman here
would never attempt to influence
a legal body or court, they in.
variably attempt to secure con-
stituents jobs through letters to
agencies protected by Civil Serv-
ice rules.
He said on this subject:
1.-THE public has the impress
sion that letters from Capitol
Hill have real effect in getting
Civil Service jobs. They should
know that they have none what
ever"
Mitchell boosted House Civil
Service Chairman Ramspeck's
postmaster bill but indicated he
thought the Logan bill to bring
all Federal agencies under the
merit system a trifle more prac-
tical than a similar bill written
by r a m Speck Representative
Ramspeck's bill insists emergency
workers be given competitive
test, while the Civil Service COM
missioner thinks non-competitive
examinations sufficient.
Clarity Legislation
Numerous other speakers we're
heard during the opening session.
Charles P. Messick, chief exam
liner and secretary of the New
Jersey Civil Service body. de-
clared:
LEGISLATION should be clear,
comprehensive and instructive.
From an administrative officers
standpoint, it should be rela-
lively easy under such legisla-
ton to do the right and af-
firmative thing, and difficult
and uncomfortable, at least, to
do the wrong thing"
Opposition to blanketing work
ers into Civil Service status was
expressed by James K. Pollock,
chairman of the Michigan State
Civil Service Study Commission,
who said studies by his group had
shown the public is against it. He
said his commission had adopted
the slogan, Keep politics out"
and that all assembly members
should take the public into their
confidence when proposing new
laws that would affect their juris-
dictionS.
Tomorrow Oliver C. Short, of the
Census Bureau; U. S. Civil Service
Commissioner Leonard D. White;
DR.. L. j. O'Rourke, of the U. S.
Civil Service Commission; Mrs.
Malcolm L. Mcbride, of the Ma
tional League of Women Voters.