Evening star., 1938-01-19
BUL0W CRITICISM
HIT BY MITCHELL
Civil Service Commission
Head Answers Senator
on ''|mperfections."

Several hundred members of the
American Federation of Government
Employees attending a Civil Service
Week observance last night heard crit
tcal views of the merit system by Chair
man Bulow of the Senate Civil Service
Committee bring warm defense of
the competitive principle from Harry
B. Mitchell. president of the Civil
Service Commission.
Senator Bulow, South Dakota
Democrat, whose committee for months
has bottled up the House bill to put
postmasters under regular civil serv-
ice. without tenure Of office, had
argued that there might be danger"
IN present moves to extend civil serv-
ice throughout the Government. and
had referred to complaints as indicat-
ing that "the civil service system of
appointments and promotions is not
altogether perfect" He also urged
against haste" on the postal reform
measure
I'VE agree that there is not per-
lection in civil service" Mr.. Mitchell
retorted with warmth. Human ma
ture has to be striving for perfection,
and that is what we of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission and other friends of
civil service are doing We are reach
ing out for betterment of the civil
service system, and the difference be-
tween that and the spoils system is
that under the latter, you've got moth
ing to reach for"
Cites Recent Case.
Turning to the postmaster situation,
Mr.. Mitchell. still speaking with
emphasis, recalled that recently, in q
city Of some size, the commission was
called upon to hold an examination
for postmaster, but found no appli-
cants able to meet the business ex-
perience requirements. Because the
place is due to go to Politician, he
continued, capable employees in the
Office were not considered for it. thus
making 1t necessary to seek further
for an outsider.
The tilt between Senator Bulow and
President Mitchell had its inception
in speech by Representative Rams
peck, Democrat, of Georgia, chairman
of the House Civil Service Committee,
and sponsor of the postmaster bill.
The Georgian had bitterly attacked
spoils practices of the present Con-
gress, whose record, he declared the
worst" in his experience, and had
charged that we've got a lot of people
who give lip service to the merit
system and then turn around and
stab it in the back"
Mr.. Ramspeck had to leave the
meeting early and was not present
when Senator Bulow arose to speak.
Appointing Power Danger Seen.
The Dakotan saw the possibility Of
danger" in extending civil service in
the fact that one agency would be the
appointing power.
President Mitchell served blunt
warning that the commission intended
to continue its fight in behalf Of civil
service and bespoke the necessity for
"an aroused public" in this cause.
Continued reform efforts also were
pledged by Commissioner Lucille
Foster Mcmillan, who said the interest
being taken in the movement by wom-
ems organizations is helpful and en-
couraging.
Commissioner Samuel H. Ordway,
r.. criticized the lack of provision for
improved personnel machinery in the
pending Government reorganization
legislation.
The session was held in the Govern
ment auditorium and after the guests
were welcomed by Charles F. Sharkey,
president of Labor Lodge, A. F. G. E.,
the national president, Charles !.
stengle introduced the speakers.