Evening star., 1939-05-31
Civil Service System
Not Yet Effective,
0rdway Asserts
White House Releases
Letter Of Resignation
Of Commission Member

W SVstSItSSIOu SVlSIIIOCI
The White House today released
the letter of resignation of Samuel
H. Ordway, jr., Republican member
OF the Civil Service Commission, in
which Mr.. OrdWay said: I'm spite
of continuing improvements through
the years, particularly since 1888,
'' the job of giving this coun-
try an effective civil service system
has not been done"
Mr.. Ordway added that the work
should be completed in a year and
half and credited the President
with laying basis for an effective
system. He urged continued force
full administrative leadership on the
commission"
His resignation, reported earlier in
the week, was confirmed yesterday
by the President while at HYDE
Park. Mr.. Ordway will resume law
practice in New York.
In accepting the resignation the
President, praising Mr.. Ordway's
work on the commission, offered
him an appointment as member
of the Council of Personnel Admin
istration.
Effective June l.
Mr.. Ordway's letter to the Presi-
dent was dated May IS with the
request that his resignation become
effective June /. His letter in full
follows:
Dear Mr.. President:
Il am pleased to summarize the
civil service position as I see it at
the conclusion of my 81 months
service as commissioner.
In spite of continuing improve
ments through the years and par
ticularly since 1888, in techniques
utilized, the Job of giving this
country an effective civil service
system has not been done. I be-
lieve that it can be done in the
next year and half.
In the last two years you have
laid the basis-and it was a neces-
sary basis-upon which the system
can be made effective The COM
mission is in a position now to
establish a merit system for the first
time in history.
Authority and funds for effective
with only a few important excep-
tions noted in the accompanying
memorandum. The remaining task
Is administrative.
"Administratively, the staff of the
commission has already been
strengthened with the approval of
the commission under the able ex-
ecutive direction of Mr.. Meyer Ap-
proXimately 600 additional employees
are at work, and when their train
ing is completed there will be marked
improvements in results.
There is need, however, for con-
tinued forceful administrative lead
ership on the commission. Several
of our top administrative staff posi-
tions need to be allocated higher
within authority of the present law
and several new top-notch executive
heads of divisions should be appoint
ed. There is particular need, also,
for a progressive planning tech
nician high in the councils of the
Examining Division. Mr.. Mitchell
and Mrs. McMillin, who possess real
insight and courage, know my feel
ing in these matters and can act if
they see fit
Il believe my continued presence
Is not needed for effectuation of the
present program. You have built
so we'll that improvement in results
is inevitable. AS I am most anxious
now to return to my old affairs, I
again submit my resignation, effec-
tive June l, with gratitude to you
for the opportunity to have served
and profound admiration for your
successful leadership in carrying
forward this difficult program to ac-
complish vital reform.
Very sincerely and respectfully
yours,
SAMUEL H. ORDWAY, Jr.,
Presidents Accepting Letter.
The Presidents letter of accept
ance, dated May 20. follows:
my Dear Mr.. Commissioner:
knowing that you have for some
time desired to relinquish your
duties as a civil service commits
sioner, have no recourse but to &C
cept, albeit with reluctance, the
resignation which you submitted un-
der date of May Is, 1885, effective
June next.
Il feel that the service of not
quite two years in point of time,
which you have rendered, has been
fruitful of many constructive ac-
complishments in the furtherance of
the ideal of an efficient Civil Service
resting on the sound foundation of
the merit system. Much has been
done and, better still. the ground
work has been laid for other effective
reforms which it seems probable can
be carried out in the period i'm
mediately ahead. Be assured that
shall make careful study of the
memorandum which accompanied
your resignation and shall give
thoughtful consideration to the sug-
gestion which you put forward.
Your zeal for the work in hand
and your industry have made your
service important in the strengthen
ing and advancement of our Civil
Service.
I'm order that the Government