Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-03
Ramspeck Believes
U. 5. Personnel Quiz
Will Save Millions
Says overstoffing Will
Be Checked When His
Group Has Authority
BY WILL P. KENNEDY,

SidAI Hidu NdInSpeCk pfeQlcte0
yesterday that many millions OF
dollars can be saved" in matters per-
tanning to the number, proper use
and recruiting of Civil Service per-
sonnet. He expressed this belief in
filing a report on the study made
thus far by the House Civil Service
Committee, adding the hope that
the incoming Congress would extend
the authority of the committee to
investigate these matters.
The committee feels strongly that
the many leads secured from en-
ployes, in which they have pointed
out instances of overstaffing, should
be carefully investigated" he stated
in his report This will be done
when the authority is extended, and
the committee has a proper staff
and funds
He had previously announced that
he will ask the incoming Congress
for a s35 900 appropriation.
The committee has engaged a
staff director subject to renewal of
its authority the report says. This
director (whose name has not yet
been disclosedD has had broad eX-
perience in Government service,
and the committee therefore rec
ommends that it be authorized to
continue its study and investiga-
ton.
Can Check Expansion.
TT is believed that with a proper
staff and funds the committee can
check the expansion of the civilian
personnel. 1t also plans to study
procedure to the end that more
work may be accomplished by the
present number of employees.
The work of the investigation
has been accomplished to date with
out the expenditure of any funds,
he explained, but the committee
feels that with an adequate staff
many economies can be brought
about and much improvement made
in the results attained by the sew
eral departments and agencies of
the Government"
The Ramspeck report states that
"the payroll for civilian employees
now exceeds $5,000,000 annually;
that the War Department had an
increase of almost 100000 employees
between September 30, l94l and
the same date in 1912, while dur
ing the same period the Navy De-
partment employees were more than
doubled-from 255264 to 518,663
and that on September 30 last the
Maritime Commission had 6,256 en-
ployes; the Office of Censorship,
1924; the Office of Price Admins
tration. 29,256; the Selective Serv-
ice System, 1926, and the War
Production Board. 1861.
Question of Need Raised.
The rapid expansion of civilian
employment in the Federal Govern
ment raises the question of the me-
cessity for so many employees" Mr..
Ramspeck emphasizes The COM
mittee feels strongly that Congress
should make careful study of this
situation. ManpoWer is becoming
scarce and we should not retain a
single employe that we do not need.
Many members of Congress have
had letters from employees stating
that they did not have sufficient
work to keep them busy. Letters
to the same effect have been writ
ten to newspapers. Persons visiting
the departments have complained
that many employees seemed to have
an insufficient amount of work"
Since the passage Of the investi-
eating resolution, Chairman Rams
peck said he has conferred with
officials of the War and Navy De-
partmentS, with the director and
other officials of the Budget Bureau,
and with officials of the Civil Service
Commission. Conferences have been
held also with many other officials
and many employees
AS result of these conferences.
he says, 1t is felt that some over
stating does exist; that many in
stances have existed Where some
employees have not had sufficient
work, while others have had to
work long hours of overtime.
Much Valuable Time Lost.
1t has been found that in some
cases employees have been recruited
before they were needed Grave
questions have been raised as to the
method of recruiting. 1t appears
that many hours of valuable time
are being consumed by operating
officials, interviewing prospective
employees, which might have been
avoided through central interview
ing. There appears to have been
not sufficient check on acquisitions
for new employees in some cases.
1T appears that in some agencies
too much stress has been placed
upon educational background tcol-
lege degree and not enough atten-
ton paid to securing persons having
practical experience. Too many peo-
pie have been employed without
actual experience in dealing with
the public Many experienced bust
neSSmen have tailed OF employment
while college professors, economists
and young lawyers have been en-
gagged. This is particularly true of
the Office of Price Administration
Since Congress began its study
and investigation a tightening up
has been noticed throughout the
Federal service The expansion of
personnel has been checked slightly
Plans have been proposed for more
careful appraisal of acquisitions for
additional employees. A Senate reso-
luton requires each department
and agency to justify its present
personnel and gives the Budget Blu
reau authority to require reductions
where the facts justify such &C
ton"