Evening star., 1940-02-09
By WILL p. KENNEDY.


BY WILL p. KENNEDY.
The House has up today for &C
ton, under a special rule adopted
late yesterday by vote OF 2l3 to
122, the Ramspeck bill to permit the
President to give civil service status
to some $50, 900 to 100000 employees.
This would be done through nom
competitive examinations. The fight,
principally from the Republican
side, Is for insistence on competitive
examinations and the maintenance
of a real civil service" instead of
Opening the doors for wholesale
invasion by political patronage ap-
pointees."
The rule provides for two hours
general debate, but the vote on the
rule yesterday indicates the measure
will pass.
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt
described as excellent" the purpose
of the Ramspeck bill.
Asked about the measure at his
press conference today, the Chief
Executive said he was not in posi-
ton to give detailed Endorsement,
since he had not become famlller
with all provisions of the measure,
but that he felt that the bill as a
whole is fairly worthwhile.
The bill, sponsored by Chairman
Ramspeck of the House Civil Service
Committee, specifically provides for
blanketing in large groups OF en-
ployes in rs New Deal agencies and
in other establishments. 1t also in
cludes all deputy marshals and dep
uty collectors of internal revenue
and in a special title extends the
classified civil service to the field
service of the Government. The
Work Projects Administration is ex-
empted by special committee
amendment.
Two Democrats Object.
Mr.. Ramspeck was the only COM
mittee member who spoke in favor
of adoption of the special rule yes
terday. 1t was opposed by two
prominent acknowledgements
tive Moser of Pennsylvania, a mem
Der of the committee and veteran
of % years in the civil service, and
Nichols of Oklahoma. Republican
committee members who urged that
the rule be not approved included
Representatives Halleck. Indiana;
Edith Nourse Rogers, Massachusetts,,
and Reese, Kansas.
Mr.. Halleck protested that he is
in favor of a fair extension of the
civil service and the merit system"
and resented political pressure and
coercion to put this bill through"
He quoted President Mitchell of the
Civil Service Commission in testi-
flying that only 20 to Is per cent
of these employees could retain their
status under a competitive exami-
nation.
Mr.. Reese said the question was
simply whether members favored a
true merit system, with real COM
petitive examinations, or would
authorize the blanketing in of 300,-
900 political patronage appointees
whom Congress deliberately kept out
of the merit system by provisions
in substantive law" He predicted
that if the bill passes "it will wreck
the civil service" He suggested
that in competitive examinations
credit should be given for expert
ence.
Cites Success in Tests.
Mrs. Rogers quoted testimony
that there are more than a million
now on the eligible rolls who have
passed competitive examinations
but who will not receive considera-
ton for career positions If the bill
passes.
Mr.. Nichols said: II don't believe
the majority in the House will vote
| to pass this bill" He declared that
"the man who wants to do days
work in the civil service is helc
back by the drones."
Mr.. Moser also declared for open
competitive examinations. He re.
viewed the history of the legislation
and contended that IS per cent o1
those who would be blanketed ir
failed in competitive examinations
He protested that no one who be-
longs to an organization urging the
overthrow of the Government should
be allowed to enter the civil service
He emphasized that when President
Roosevelt said that one Of his ideals
was extension of the civil service
he did not advocate it through non
competitive examinations.
Mr.. Ramspeck pointed out thai
the only difference between non'
competitive and competitive ex-
aminations was that under the for.
mer the present employe must gel
a rating of 10 per cent to retain his
job, while in the competitive ex'
animation he would be against the
field. 1.-THE content of the examina.
tions is the same" he said. He alst
pointed out that it would cos
Sc, 900, 900 to $4,000, 900 to hold COM
petitive examinations.