Evening star., 1939-01-17
Merit System
Gains Are
Forecast
A. +. E. Marks
Lows Anniversury:
Miss MukiChosen
(Picture on Page A. J

Continued advance for the merit
system was predicted last night by
congressional spokesmen and men,
becs of the Civil Service Commits
sion who recounted the gains of
the last year as the American Fed
Grafton of Government Employees
observed the Seth anniversary of
the passage of the Civil Service
Act with mass meeting at the
Departmental Auditorium.
The meeting was marked also by
the announcement of the selection
of Miss Ellen Maxi of the Post Of
fee Department as Miss Civil
Service"
The command is forward!" said
Senator Walsh. Democrat, of Mas
sachusetts, who with Representa-
tive Ramspeck, Democrat. of Geor-
gia. chairman of the House Civil
Service Committee, vigorously at
tackled the Spoils system
In my opinion that thing we
call democracy doesn't exist unless
every man, woman and child has
chance to serve the Government on
a merit basis" the Massachusetts,
Senator asserted.
Recalling the opposition that
civil service advocates have encoun-
tered in Congress in recent years
Senator Walsh said that "over-
whelming control by any political
party invariably tends to break
down civil service"
Sees Much to Be Done.
He expressed satisfaction at the
improvements contemplated by
President Roosevelt's orders of June
"a, but emphasized that there still
is much to be done"
ut is the sound. sane and sensi-
BILE thing for the Government, and
to the interests of the taxpayers,
to have civil service instead of the
spoils system" he said.
Representative Ramspeck. CO.
author with Senator O'Mahoney,
Democrat, of Wyoming of the law
passed in the Seventy-flfth Con-
gress putting postmasters under
civil service, criticized the action Of
the House last week in barring
civil service to Works Progress Ad-
ministration employees.
1T is rather strange thing that
The men who were responsible for
injecting politics into the w. P. A.
should turn around and penallze
employees who could do nothing
about it," he said.
80 ro11nH
attention to bill he has intro
c.uced to require State employees
handling Federal funds to be under
civil service.
Expects Further Legislation.
He said also that he expected
legislation to put under civil service
those positions not affected by the
Presidents orders.
Harry B. Mitchell, president of the
Civil Service Commission. and his
associates. Commissioners Lucille
Foster McMillin and Samuel H.
Ordway, jr, outlined the improve
ments in civil service contemplated
bv President Roosevelt's orders.
Mr.. Mitchell was applauded when
he told of. plans for appeals ma
chinery.
Mr.. Ordway described as an
"epochal advance" the competitive
promotion system to be inaugurated.
Making her bow as Miss Civil
Service" Miss Maxi was introduced
by Representative Randolph, Demo-
crat, of West Virginia, chairman
of the House District Committee,
and member of the Civil Service
Committee.
Miss Maxi has been in the Post
Office Department eight years, hav-
ing risen to supervisory position
from a clerkship. She received a
loving cup and flowers.
Charles I. Stengle, president Of
the federation, presided at the meet
ing, a part of which was broadcast
over WMAL.