The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-20


 in the personnel department?"
 An interview with person who has had close dealings with the states merit system since it was instituted discloSeS several major criticisms.
 In the first place, there is re- ported to be a great amount of jealousy" and lack of cOperation among personnel department em- plOyes, especially among women who are in control of depart mental divisions. These women, it is said, are primarily "SOcial workers" and not merit system administrators.
 Secondly, the examination sys- tenn is rOundIy attacked because the examiners are said to be ''un- qualified" Persons are named for examiners, in many cases, who know nothing about the position. A recommendation was made in this instance for the creation of a board of examiners who are familiar with the job.
 Thirdly, the marking system is criticized. The personnel depart ment was charged with having "fancy charts" and other means of naming an applicant to a Job which are said to be "cOnfusing." A standardized marking system was recommended.
 Moreover, it was said the head of the department should be qualified administrator. A policy group of three or four members also was recommended "t0 run the system" and establish rules. Two divisions in the department were urged-an administrative and examination set-up.
 In jobs with salaries of more than $3000, it was charged that in many cases the qualifications for the job were written around the incumbent provisional appointee.'
 In clerical examinations. ti was allaged that no examinations were given on operations of machines, whereas most of the low-apid pos- itions had machine duties. 1n- stead, persons were hired to these jobs jurely on intelligence qualif- ications. The legislative invest1ga- ting committee was expected to re- ceive all of this information.
 Rep. Warren A. Field, R, Mil. ford, is reported to be a candidate for state aviation commissioner, succeeding Charles L. Morris, who retires next month. Rep. Field two weeks ago was chairman of the and this year is a member of the House avaitiOn committee.
 Rep. Field is a licensed aviator. Another Republican, George Kane, who is deputy commissioner, was said to be also looking for thre post.
 Criticisms of Gov. Hurley for reportedly calling congressman "nitwits" in not haStening pass cage of the Lease-Lend bill is not justified.
 Sources close to the governor report he did not call the con- gressman "nitwits" but did use the word in connection with cer- tain persons whow ere testifying at the congressional hearings.
 A reporter at a New Haven meeting misunderstood the gover- nor's words, it was said, and wrote a story saying the governor called congressman "nitwits."
 To avoid any further misrepre- sen:ation of remarks, 1t was re- ported the governor would prepare copies of his speeches in advance for the press. This was the system followed by former Gov. Baldwin.
 Political quarters are telling . story that State Labor COmmis. sloner Cornelius !. Danaher In. formed U. s. Labor Secretary Frances Perkins that the appoint ment of Joseph M. Tone as her personal investigator of the New Haven Quilt & Pad Co.,. fire was personally obnoxious" to him.
 In addition, it was reported that when Tone did come in Co lnvestl. gate the fire and asked for an ln. tervlew with Danaher, the labor commissioner refused tO see him.
 Incidentally, al the haIne time Tone conferred with Gov. Hurley, reports were heard Co party circles that the former Labor Commlss. toner was being talked about for