Evening star., 1937-01-20
Deming, 8 Years President
of Commission, Fights
Its Abolition.
SINGLE ADMINISTRATOR
CONSIDERED INADEQUATE
Wisdom Seen in Keeping 8 Mem
bers to Give Opinions on Many
Problems Arising.

SIcoluCllG tNOOcCNCiV.
Deming, a Republican, who pub
fishes the Wyoming Tribune-Leader in
Cheyenne, said in a statement here
that he was not voicing his opinion
simply for the sake of disagreeing, but
because he felt constrained to question
the wisdom of supplanting the three
member. bipartisan board with
single administrator.
Nor did he favor setting up the
projected seven-member non-paid
board to act as watch. dog" on civil
service administration. He explained
he is not sure what the President
"conceives as the duty" of such an
organization nor how the members
could be expected to cover the neces-
sary ground and take the necessary
time without compensation"
Knows Value of Advice.
Il served nearly eight years as presi-
dent of the Civil Service Commission
and I know the value of having the
advice and aid of two associates, even
If one does not always agree with
them" Deming said.
THE Civil Service Commission. as
I recall, was the first independent
agency not subordinate to a cabinet
chief, except possibly the Smithsonian
Institution. The law has justified it
self in every way.
The commissioners are responsible
directly to the President, because they
act as his agents in securing proper
personnel for the Federal Government.
As rule, there has been at least one
commissioner who has come up through
the ranks, and learned the technique
from actual experience. This Is a
valuable arrangement, although I
would doubt the wisdom of having al
three commissioners service men or
women, so called.
THE Civil Service Commission is not
only an administrative body. but its
duties are more or less judicial.
Sit in Judgment Daily.
"There is scarcely day they are
not sitting in Judgment upon some
dificult proposal or question growing
out of an examination, an appoint
ment or Interpretation of the rules,
based upon the civil service act.
Many of the references and briefs pre-
pared by members of the commission
upon close questions would do justice
to the ablest attorney.
Some of the situations presented
are so difficult, or so near the line
that it requires the very best judgment
of commission of three to determine
them. Only one who has served upon
that board can appreciate the wide
variation of problems that arise and
the amount of detail work disposed Of
each day.
If the Presidents plan of one ad-
ministrator is adopted, it would be
necessary to have one or more assist
ants, who could act for him in his alb
sence or illness. No one individual can
be on duty all the time.
Under such circumstances the as
sistants most likely would be subordi-
mates in the service of the commission
itself, and thus occasionally might be
called upon to Judge or decide a case
for or against an associate in the
commission itself.
This Is true, because there are
questions of promotion, demotion,
change of work and various other
angles in an organization of several
hundred people.
Personnel Efficient.
Furthermore, the personnel Of the
Civil Service Commission Is not only
unusually high and efficient, but Is
subject to about the same impulses
as members of any other organization.
There are distinct lines Of thought,
policy and personal ambition among
subordinates.
II found it wise. in any given case
or question, to consult both those who
were for and against any particular
viewpoint. Out of multitude Of
counsel there usually comes wisdom,
Just as the opinions Of three, or two
out of three of the commission are
usually safer than the opinion of one
when arrived at without discussion.
Frankly, I believe the morale of
the Civil Service Commission would
suffer and the standing of the merit
system would be lowered by the pro-
posal of the President I know that
one OF the chief amusements in Wash
ington is to reorganize something. but
in my judgment the Civil Service Com
mission should be left alone.
I'm other words, non-partisan or
bipartisan board of three members,
as provided in the Pendleton act more
than 50 years ago, has vindicated it
self.
Tests Far Advanced.
'~The Civil Service Commission and
its work have not stood still. The
tests Of today are as far in advance Of
the examinations of the '80s' and
eos as the streamline train is an
advance over the early woodworking
steam engine and equipment.
IF the Civil Service Commission
does not live up to its proper standards
and ideals, it Is because Presidents
have not been careful in the selection
of the commissioners. There is MOTH
ing Gile HldItcr Will dlc Ia" anu HULL
ing the matter with the well-trained
body of men and women who head the
various divisions and sections, or in
the employees generally, who, flgura-
lively speaking, are hewers Of wood
and drawers Of water
"The quantity and quality of work
done by the staff from day to day was
always q marvel and matter Of amaze
rnent to me.
1.-THE Civil Service Commission is
one oficial organization, so far as
membership is concerned, deserving
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