The Washington times., 1937-01-04

such photos or members of Government
ORGANIZATIONS should contact the write
in the editorial room before 5:l5 p m
or phone Di. 1000, branch 2lO'
To proponents of better condi
tions for Federal employees within
Uncle Sans service. the annua
report of the Civil Service Com
mission issued today looms as the
most progressive and optimistic
ever issued.
Not only did the Commission
promise, in black and white, tc
drive for thorough career system
through encouragement of in-serV
ice training, better supervisor
methods, better seleCtive methods
and easier transfers. 1t also de
clared. with more logic than ever
the absolute necessity for establish
ment of the merit system as soon
as possible.
Pointing out that Government
is delving more deeply into Amer
can life, the missive from Harry
Mitchell, Leonard White and Mrs
Lucille McMillin to Franklin d
Roosevelt declared:
present trends in Govern.
ment as applied to the social
structure of the United States
emphasize anew the basic i'm
portance of the extension of the
merit system. Originally pro-
posed chiefly to protect demOc-
racy as a form of government
against the influence of patron
age. and later recognized as I'm
proving the efficiency of admin.
istration, the merit system has
become essential to the program
of social security to which the
National Government Is COM
mitted in cooperation with the
States"
This program is reflected not
only in the Social Security act
and in grants to the States for
the handicapped and under
privileged, but also in such leg
isIation as the Bank Deposit In.
Surance act, the Securities and
Exchange act, the relief acts,
and the various laws authorizing
the extension of credit Of the
National Government.
"The risks of failure in this
new type Of legislation repre-
sent hazards of new order in
American life. The use Of the
merit system in the adminiStra,
ton of this and other legislation,
where the question of personnel
is involved. is an obvious safe
guard for its success"
The Commission also provided
a definite reason for its strong
stand, saying:
"Many important agencies OF
a presumably permanent charac-
ter are still entirely outside the
operation of the merit system.
While the standards Of person
mel administration of those agen-
cies may seem satisfactory, they
lack the advantages of stability
and protection from outside In.
reference which are secured
through the application of the
civil service law. Many posi-
tions in the older established
agencies are also exempt from
the principle of open cOmpeti-
ton and should likewise be
brought into the classified Serv-
ice.
"The public service cannot
thrive on a haIf-merit, half-pat
ronage basis whether in Ma
tional, State or municipal ad-
ministratiOn."
In reference to retirement, in
which it advocates annuity at 90
after 80 years service. or at 62
after IS years, with option lying
either with. the employe or the
Government, the Commission said
at least 80 days notice should be
given by the Government in eXer'
cising its option, adding:
ITO prevent arbitrary action
in individual cases, provision
should be made for the right of
review by an administrative
body whenever the option is exer-
cised by the Government"
The recommendation for
straight compulsory retirement
age of 70 was explained as aimed
to eliminate occasional attempts
by agencies to retire or retain an
employe by transferring him near
the end of his service to position
in a group which has either a
higher or lower legal age for re,
tirement. This has happened oc-
casionally within the Post Office
Department, where age limits vary
for certain types of employe.
In a report issued yesterday
Commissioner John w. Studebaker
of the Interiors Office of Educa,
ton, revealed that approximately
100000 adults enrolled during
1895 in vocational classes operated
under auspices of his office. He
likewise paid high tribute to edu
Gators and others who cooperated
with the Government "in order
that the torch of learning could
reach the greatest single-year army
of Americans ever in quest of ar
education.
Two important A. F. G.. E. meet
ings have been scheduled for to
morrow, both at 8 p. m.
Lodge No. IL Of the Department
of Labor has announced an oper
meeting for all interested, in which
Ismar Baruch, chief of the Civi
Service personnel classification di
vision, will tell how jobs are rated
how salary schedules are assigned
to various Job categories and how