Evening star., 1940-09-26
Competitive Test
Amendment ProIonqs
Ramspeck Bill Debate
EIIender Hits Plan
To Freeze Positions
Against Applicants
BY ]. A. FOX.


The Ramspeck bill was still be-
fore the Senate today, with debate
centering on q proposal to require
competitive rather than non-com-
petitive examinations for employees
which the measure would make
eligible for civil service status.
The competitive examination
amendment WAS offered late yes
terday by Senator Ellender, Demo-
crat, of Louisiana after . blast at
the bill by Senator Vandenbers,
Republican, OF Michigan. who de-
scribed as . parody on civil serv-
ice" the plan now contemplated
which would permit incumbents Of
positions brought under civil serv-
ice by executive order to qualify
for retention of their places by nom
competitive tests.
In offering his amendment Sem
ator Ellender renewed an earlier
attack on the bill, which. he de-
clared, would freeze" in their places
100000 patronage appointed en-
ployes and discriminate against
800 900 applicants for Federal posi-
tions who, he argued, have taken
competitive examinations and are
awaiting appointment from civil
service registers.
Service Disruption Seen.
Senator Mead. Democrat, Of New
York, in charge of the bill, declared
the Government service would be
disrupted if the thousands OF posi-
tions we're thrown open to Nation
wide examination. According to
Civil Service Commission figures
from l25,000 to 10000 positions
would be affected by the bill and
supporters Of the measure have
contended that it would be an i'm
possible and costly task to hold
tests for these 1t has been esti-
mated by the commission also that
large proportion of the incum-
bents would fail to qualify II COM
petitive tests were ordered. Even
with the non-competitive tests, the
percentage Of failures has been
figured as from II to Is per cent.
Senator Ellender had proposed
to give incumbents 10-point
credit for experience. to be added
to their earned examination rating
but eliminated this after Senator
Tydings, Democrat, of Maryland
declared it would be miscarriage
of equity" arguing that they
would have natural advantage
anyway because of experience on
the job
House Rejected Competitive Plan.
When the bill passed the House in
February the competitive examina-
ton plan was rejected.
Under debate for the second day
yesterday. the scope of the bill
was narrowed by an amendment
sponsored by Senator Ellender and
adopted by vote Of 37-30. which
bars from its provisions all posi-
tons filled by presidential appoint
ment and Senate confirmation.
deputy collectors of internal rev.
enue, deputy United States mar
shals and assistant United States
attorneys. The exemptions, other
than that Of the collectors forces.
were considered Of secondary IMPORT
ance. Senator Mead saying there was
neither intention nor desire to
bring the positions concerned under
civil service. About 5000 deputy
collectors would be excluded, how
ever. and Senator Mead said to
continue these outside of civil serv-
ice would injure and impair the
efficiency of the Government.
These deputies formerly were ap-
pointed through civil service until
a law took them out.
Senator Overton. Democrat. Of
Louisiana contended that collectors
should have the right to choose their
deputies, but Senator George, Demo-
crat. of Georgia asserted that po-
litical turnover in collectors Offices
now costs the Government and the
taxpaying public millions OF dol
lars, with employees experienced in
tax matters losing their places to
new and unskilled workers when
ever an administration changes.
Inquiry Recalled.
At one point in his argument Sem
ator Ellender reverted to his in
quiry a few months ago when he
invited complaints from employees
who felt they had been discrimi-
rofed against hv their s,IneriOrS re-.