Evening star., 1938-01-18

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT
RAMSPECK.
dollars in this cost to the taxpayers
would result If all employees were
placed under the merit system.
You may wonder why changing the
method of selection can be put for
ward as an argument for economy
There are many evidences OF the fact
that the merit system does bring econ
omy in government.
1t Is q we'll recognized fact that
since the employees Of our great postal
system were placed under civil service
their efficiency has been greatly in
creased. The postal system today
handles much greater volume of
work in comparison with the number
Of employees it has than was the case
before they were placed under civil
service. *ss
In addition to economy, the merit
system also promotes efficiency. 1t
gives the taxpayer and the citizen more
service for each dollar expended. In
1885 Civil Service Study Commission
appointed by the Governor of Michigan
reported that 1t had found that the
political spoils system in the State
government was unnecessarily costing
the taxpayers 100000 a year.
The National Civil Service Reform
some interesting savings for the pub
lie purse through adoption Of the
merit system in appointments. It says
that in Chicago automobile thefts were
reduced from 96 to 9 a day after the
elimination of political influence in the
office Of the States attorney. -"
The merit system also promotes hon.
esty in public service. In support Of
this statement, attention Is called to
the fact that during the administra-
ton Of President Hoover, when Con-
gress placed prohibition enforcement
officers under civil service and re-
quired the incumbents to take an ex-
animation involving investigation Of
character. 1t developed that many OF
the politically appointed prohibition
omcers had criminal records. -
In the Congress today We are faced
with a showdown on the question of
the merit system versus the spoils
system. Last January the House
passed bill placing first, second and
third class postmasters under civil
service. The Senate has failed to |
consider this bill, Notwithstanding the |
fact that the platforms of both of the
major political parties pledged exten-
sion OF the merit system, and notwith- |
standing the further fact that 81 of |
the present Democratic Senators were
delegates to the Philadelphia conven-
ton and therefore participated in the
making OF this promise in the Demo-
cratic platform
Having ignored the civil service bill.
the Senate Post Once and Post Roads |
Committee has reported favorably 4
Dill by its chairman. the senior SEN |
ator from Tennessee, Mr.. McKellar.
having for its purpose the nullifyine |
OF an executive order OF the President |
requiring the appointment of persons
making the highest grade in civil
service examinations Tor postmaster
appointments, and substituting there
for the old spoils system.
Report Of Committee.
The report Of the committee filed
by Its chairman boldly takes the posi-.
ton that the spoils system is a better
method of selecting postmasters than
the merit system. Senators OMa-
honey. Logan, La Toilette and Bridges
nave MED minority report against
this bill, urging the substitution of the
merit system as proposed in the House
bill.
This forms the issue which will be
soon fought out in the Senate and
IL Is most important issue for the
citizens of our country.
The bill placing postmasters under
civil service, known as H. r. 1881, has
oeen lndorsed in principle by President
roosevelt; 1t has the approval, in prin-
clple, OF the Postmaster General. and
Is being vigorously supported by nu-
merous organizations throughout our
Nation. While this particular bill ia
no more important than others having
Tor their purpose the extension of the
merit system, it is OF extreme impor-
lance to those who believe In civil
service. Politics In the appointment
OF postmasters has been the backbone
OF the spoils system. II we can elimi-
nate the political Appointments of
postmasters 1t will be a long step for
ward and will make much easier the
establishment Of better system Of
civil service for the selection Of Fed
eral employees.
Inc merit system was established in |
our Federal Government after a dA-
appointed of1ice seeker had shot Presi-
dent Garfield in 1881. The act was
passed IN 1888 and since that time it |
has had the Endorsement Of many |
Presidents. -.
Equal Opportunity for All.
The merit system is the only method
OF selecting personnel which piyes
equal opportunity to all Of our citi-
zens. 1t is, therefore, the democratic |
and American way OF dealing with this
question. Under this system. eyerv |
person who Is qualified has an oppor- |
tunity to compete for the positions in |
the Government service on a basis of |
their comparative abilities. They have
an opportunity Of taking an examina-
ton and those who are best oualif'ed
Will get the positions. Under the spoils
system 4 great many of our citizens
have no opportunity Of securing Cow
ernment positions In the first place.
those who have not supported the win
ming candidate are automatica elm.
mated from considerati ton. Then with |
IN the limits of those who voted for
the successful candidate or faction.
only those who were active in the
campaign have any real chance of get
ting the jobs. OF this group Of active
workers many will have no chance
because there are not enough Jobs for
all OF them, and 1t becomes . question
OF which ones have the most pull or
influence with the appointing oficer.
Therefore, under the spoils system,