Evening star., 1938-10-16
PLEA TO EXEMPT
LAWYERS SCORED
Civil Service Commission
Raps Report Drafted by .
Cairns Committee.

Taking sharp issue with the report
recently drawn up by ranking ofncials
of the Government in opposition to
President Roosevelt's program which
would bring lawyers under civil service,
the Civil Service Commission. in a
statement last night, declared the re-
port was actuated by political motives.
The report was drafted by q COM
mittee headed by Huntington Cairns,
assistant general counsel Of the Treas
ury, after a conference, called by
Solicitor General Robert H. jackson,
which considered the Presidents Or
ders Of June "a proposing to make
thousands of exempt positions subject
to competition.
Explaining that its views on this
issue had been solicited from many
quarters. the commission, which is to
report on suggested exemptions to the
President. said its recommendations
will be based on consideration of the
duties and responsibilities of each
oroup of attorney positions and the
1racticability Of examination there
ior."
"A report it was continued, "sug-
cesting that it is not practicable to
examine for any attorney positions
patiently and transparency ignores the
experience of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, the Veterans Adminis-
tration. and other Federal agencies
which have been satisfactorily utilis-
civil
positions for years.
Recalls Federal Bar Stand.
The group which was called to-
gether by 4 high Government of1cial
recommended continued exemption of
all attorneys This group, dependent
because Of exemption on the favor
of appointing ot1cers, appears to have
assembled the arguments of antiquity
disregarded the new facilities and
techniques available, and arrived at
the POLITICAL expedient conclusion.
The commission recalled that q COM
n1ittee from the Federal Bar ASso-
citation went on record in favor of
civil service for attorneys, who now
generally are appointed by administra-
tive ofhcers. It also quoted comment
On this subject in the current issue
Of the Lawyers Guild Quarterly, which
assails the exemptions
Answering specific allegations con-
cerning so-called obstacles to COM
petitive selection Of attorneys" the
commission said:
Objections raised on the ground
cf veteran preference requirements are
tased on fear that unoualified vet
Grams will be certified at the head of
registers. No applicant. veteran or
non-veteran. who is not fully eualified
to meet the needs of the service In
every respect need be rated eligible
or certified.
Arguments Answered
Objection that highly skilled and
able lawyers with great opportunity
in private employment cannot be re-
cruited by competitive examination
does not stand up under the new rules
and the expediting of the examining
process provided for therein.
Objection that specialized needs
met from regularly established regis
ters does not stand up in the face OF
the provisions for selective certifi-
cation of specialists under the new
rules"
Finally" the commission conclud-
ed, lit is notable that those agencies
which have been selecting attorneys
from competitive registers for many
years have submitted recommends
tions for the continuance Of such po-
Eitions in the competitive classified
ervice under executive orders.
The commission will make its rec
lamentations to the President on the
asis Of the needs of the service and
acihties available under the new rules
or rendering prompt and effective
ervlce to appointing officers"