The Washington times., 1936-12-28
MERIT SYSTEM
STRESSED BY
JOHNSON
BY ]. EARLE MOSER

and members Of Government organizations
interested in such photos should contact
the writer In the editorial room by 5:15
D. m, or phone DI. 1000, branch 210.
News items phOned In may win weekly
prise.
The National Civil Service Re-
form League, continuing its re-
vivified campaign on behalf Of the
merit system, has asked that po-
litical appointments be kept
strictly out Of employe staffs
formed by the various States to
administer the social security
laws.
Pointing out that the Federal
Social Security Boards employees
are almost entirely appointed
under provisions Of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission, President Robert
L. johnson of the league today
made public letter to governors
of States which have not yet
enacted social security legislation.
In his letter johnson warned
that success or failure" of the
social security plan will depend
greatly on what kind OF en-
ployes are hired to carry it
through, and declared that even
tually the plan will require more
workers than are now on rolls OF
the Post Office Department, and
that the pay roll for social security
clerical help in the Federal Gov
ernment, State and counties will
reach a half billion dollars.
johnson wrote:
"The public should heed the
sound warning that has been
given, Unless the adminiStra-
tions Of State social security
boards are kept immune from
political interference, we will
witness more waste OF money
through incompetence than all
the racketeers have grated from
our citizens. Unless we avoid
the injection Of personal and pO-
litical considerations, the whole
Social Security plan might be
discredited."
The Civil Service League head
=
phrases" that have already been
placed in some bills adopted by
States for social security. Sup
posedly guaranteeing appoint
ments by merit, he said, many are
too vague, concluding:
"'Vague provisions Of this sort
may not assure appointments on
a merit basis. They provide for
no yardstick or machinery and
in actual results leave it entirely
to the discretion of those max
ing selections and appointments.
If these happen to be made by
men Of integrity and foresight,
an honest and efficient person
mel may result. But too often, in
the past, experience has taught
that such positions may be used
as q political pOrk-barrel from
which to feed ambitious job
hunters.
eve need more than lip Serv-
Ice to the merit system. We need
actual merit system in practice"
johnson will visit Washington
early next month to confer with
Government officials and employe
leaders on plans for stresSing |
Civil Service jurisdiction through
out the Federal service before
Congress.
A numerOlogy reading is pre-
sented for Dudley Castillo" a
very attractive feminine worker
with Home Owners Loan Corpo-
ration:
"Whatever changes came to YOU when
you passed your birthday in 1885 will
remain With you until after your ara o, nt
low ebb during 1885 and before: you
should have a change for the better
during the late fall which will continue
until 1943. However, if your finances
were at high tide for that time, you
should make arrangements to be ready
for any reverses that might come. You
strength and pep up during this period
Rest plentifully and guard your health
Your path of life definitely leads to
q home, but responsibilities of your mn
mediate family and relatives may keep
you from a home life of your own. Your
exterior attitude is much too serious and
you should make 1t easier for others to
become acquainted with you. You are |
very ambitious for material success have |
q capable brain and a strong sense of
loyalty, logic, reason and organization.
"You are more apt to suffer from |
thinking too much than from being
thoughtless or careless. You have very |
definite ideas and make the mistake OF |
becoming intolerant of some people be- |
cause they offend your standards OF fair |
dealing and betray your condolences. You |
may not be very popular among your own |
sex for your viewpoint is too logical and
practical and you have no sympathy
with SuhIetv or indifference. You will |
have plenty of opportunities to express |
your ability and to satisfy your desires
and wishes"
Numerology readings, popular
with many Federalites, may be
obtained with no charge by mail
ing your full name and birthday.
For publication purposes "pen
name" should be included,
With preparations well under |
way for celebra tion OF Civil Serv
ice Week here next week, the Ma.
tional Institute of Public Affairs
has written headquarters of the
American Federation of Govern
ment Employees assuring Of its
willingness to cooperate. Otis T.
Wingo. executive secretary, wrote:
cat this time of the fifty
fourth anniversary of the Ma
tional Civil Service Act, it is en-
cOuraging that many Organiza-
tiOnS and growing public Opin-
ion are giving support to the
question of merit system and
trained personnel in our Amer
lean Government"