Evening star., 1941-02-25
President Due 10 Ac'
Soon on Extension
OF Civil Service
One Order Covering
All Jobs Seen, With
Exceptions Made Later
BY J. A. FOX,

BY J. A. FOX.
With the Reed Committee study
laying the groundwork for extend
ing civil service to thousands of ex-
empt positions, it was understood
today from reliable sources that the
White House would move speedily
to complete the task.
The President has not yet decided
on procedure, but 1t appeared likely
that one executive order would be
issued concerning both the positions
formerly exempted by statute but
now included under the Ramspeck
Civil Service Extension Act, and
those without civil service status.
Once this universal blanketing is
accomplished, decisions will be made
on those positions department heads
believe should be returned to the
exempt category. officials feel it
more feasible to follow this course
than to consider positions group by
group.
125,0O0 to 10000 Jobs.
Estimates as to the number of
positions to be covered range from
125.00O to 10000. Continuing ex-
empt, by virtue of the Ramspeck
Act, are the Tennessee Valley Au-
thority and the administrative force
of the w. P. A. The Reed Com
mittee also recommended that the
Federal Bureau of Investigation be
excepted for the present. That sug-
geStion, however, was superfluous,
since the current appropriation bill
bars civil service for the F. B. I. in
accordance with the desires of J.
Edgar Hoover, the director.
Other exemptions also will be
provided, as in certain categories it
is not possible to follow civil service
procedure in recruiting.
Concurrent with the issuance of
the blanketing order, Congress will
be asked to supply funds to con-
duct the non-ocmpetitive examina-
tions for personnel to come under
civil service. The sum needed has
not been estimated, but the opinion
was expressed that the money will
be forthcoming readily.
Seen as Two-Year Job,
While the President is anxious to
finish the civil service reform pro-
gram he began two and half years
ago. Civil Service Commission off,
cialS have estimated that probably
two years will be necessary to COM
plete the job, including the exam
nations.
Originally the President had pro-
posed to bring under civil service on
February /, 1889, all positions not
exempt by statute. Eventually.
however, doubt arose as to the feasi-
billty of covering in all professional.
scientific and upper bracket admin
istrative posts until more light was
shed on the problem OF recruiting
and placing this type of personnel.
1t was TO make recommendations on
these questions that the committee
headed by Supreme Court Justice
Stanley F. Reed was appointed. The
report submitted yesterday urged
virtually universal coverage. al
though the committee divided on
methods in the case of legal posi-
tions.
That question, consequently, still
is left in abeyance. as is the issue
OF veterans preference. Veterans
organizations argued strongly for
continuance of the present ratings
under which 5 or 10 points are added
to examination grades and prefer
entlal appointment status is given
disabled veterans and veterans
widows. Other groups were in oppo-
Sition.
Committee Disagreed.
The committee" the report said.
"is in complete agreement that some
form and degree of veterans pref
erence should be maintained. We
have not been able to agree on the
extent of the preference which is
desirable, and in consequence we
make no specific recommendation
The differences of opinion which
were expressed in our discussions
reflect, We believe, a genuine differ
ence of view which is found among
thoughtful and sincere citizens
throughout the country"
The committee also found that
the appointment law putting ap-
pointments here on a State quota
basis is a threat to civil service.
so far as the lower professional
and scientific grades are concerned"
the report said. the quality of ap-
pointments is not seriously endan-
gered, especially in view of the large
numbers of well-qualified eligibles
from different States. So far as
registers in the higher grades are
concerned, the number of qualified
eligibles is small and the possible
lowering of standards by the strict
application of the apportionment
rule is aSSurably greater"
While not recommending changes
in the law, the committee strongly
urged that the Civil Service
Commission adopt a liberal view
in the allowances of exceptions from
the apportionment requirement in
the small number of cases of higher
grade professional, scientific and ad-
ministrative positions, where a sub
stantial difference between the quail
ity of eligibles exists"
Ts xIIslI