Evening star., 1937-03-17
.HAzEN ADVOCATES
D. c. CIVIL SERVICE
Would Make 1t Apply to All
Employees of District
Government,
BY DON S. WARREN.

Establishment of full-fedged civil
service for employees of the District
government was advocated today by
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen.
Under the plan he outlined, Dis
trict residents would be given prefer
ence for District jobs over applicants
from the States
The move is intended to protect the
District government from pressure by
politicians for patronage appointments
In the municipal service-a pressure
to which the Commissioners have been
subject almost constantly since they
came into Office.
The proposal, it was learned, will
be considered by the recently-ap-
pointed Civic Committee of 18, which
tomorrow will start its study of the
efficiency and organization of the
District government.
The committee, headed by E. Barrett
Prettyman, former corporation coun-
sci, will meet at $3.50 pm. at the Dis
trict Building to begin scrutiny of
many phases Of the present form of
le municipal government and its
-lethods of operation.
To Make Recommendations.
This group, which consists of repre-
sentative business men, bankers pub
lie utility executives, civic and pro-
fessional workers, has been asked 30
submit any recommendations for
changes which are deemed needed II
these are approved by the Commis-
sioners the plan is to propose remedial
legislation to Congress at the present
session.
Only the Metropolitan Police and
the District Fire Departments now
have civil service ratings and protec-
ton. School teachers have been pro-
vided merit system of their own. But
the remainder of the District person.
mel does not have civil service status
Since 1890, however, the District
has been required to fill new positions
from the eligible lists of the Civil
Service Commission, to the extent tc
which the Federal agency has such
lists or funds available for holding o1
examinations.
This system was established in No.
vember, 1880 under an executive order
Of former President Hoover.
Democrats Reported Irked.
The fact that the order was ISSUED
by a Republican President, accordins
to oft-repeated reports, has irked more
| than one Democratic leader who
sought to find a job in the municipa
service for deserving Democrat"
In the past there has been a sug.
gestion that some of the pressure or
the Commissioners might be relieved
| If President Roosevelt could be per.
suaded to issue new order, to the
same general effect as the one datine
back to 1880. Nothing to this end ha!
| been done, to date, however.
The Federation of Citizens Associ-
ations recently went on record de-
manding that District jobs be helc
for bona f1de District residents anc
insisted they should not go to "out.
siders''
There have been repeated com.
plants that District residents have
difficulties landing jobs in the Fedora
services here because Of the quota
system under which each State anc
the District are subject to apportion.
ment OF available jobs.
1t is for this reason that Hazer
suggests that a District civil servic,
system should carry the provision
that job preference should be giver
TO District residents. particularly be.
cause the municipal government ex.
penses are paid by District tax.
payers.