Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-20
Mcclellan Bill
Continued From First Page

this method of appointment. Wht
will say that our Army officers, oul
Navy officers, our Marine Corps off
GERS, and our postmaSters are no
OF the very best classes of officers il
our Government.
There have been over 100000 of
ficers appointed and confirmed dur
ing the present administration with
out any delay worth mentioning.
Disclaims Any Politics.
There is no politics in this bill
It's purpose is simply to follow tn,
tried, proved and constitutional way
the American way, of appointing of
ficials of the Government
Mention is made of the scarcit,
OF manpower. If appointments were
made in the constitutional way it il
exceedingly doubtful if it would be
necessary to have three millions OF
persons working for the Govern
ment. II this bill is passed I doubt
If manpower would be SO scarce.
One OF the purposes of this bill
Is to see how many of this vast in
crease from 1,000,0 900 to 3,000,0 900 en-
ployes are really necessary.
ut is not a question of correcting
mistakes. 1t is a question of stand
ing by the Constitution that has
made us great. 1t is a question of
AmericaniSm.
II have the very greatest respect
for the opinions of our great Presi-
dent, but with that great respect I
still think that Senate SIS should
become the law at the earliest pos
sible moment and hope the Presi-
dent will reconsider his letter to
our distinguished Vice President and
sign the bill if it should be passed.
President Roosevelt, speaking in
strong terms against the Mcclellan
bill, charged it would sweep away
years of civil service progress"
Mr.. Roosevelt said it would be
''little less than tragic" if Congress
required presidential nomination
and Senate confirmation of such
employees.
More than $4,000 positions would
be affected by the measure. he said
and he pointed out he does not have
the time personally to examine the
qualifications of the individual!
whose appointments would in sucf
circumstances have to be approved
by me-"
ut is equally evident that thu
Congress does not have the time.
he continued. Senate confirmation
would either become rubber STAMP
process or task of such magnitude
as to leave little time for the con.
duct of legislative business and t.
delay appointments to essential wa
jobs"
Mr.. Roosevelt contended that tn,
proposal "presupposes congressional
responsibility for the operation o
executive agencies"
AN agency head is responsible 70
the success or failure OF his pro
gram" he wrote. This accountable
ity is dissipated if responsibility TO
the appointment of employees is di
vided."
A Senate Judiciary SuDcommitte
had held hearings on the McKella
bill and may meet next week to &C
on 1t.
BY rider to an appropriation &C
last fall Congress already has re
CURED presidential appointment All,
Senate confirmation Of many ap
pointmentS to the War Manpowe
Commission, and Mr. Roosevelt cite,
the operation of that requirement
TO prove his case
He said that Of 80 nomination
submitted on January II no actio
was taken until February Is, whe
81 were confirmed and one sent bac
10 committee. No action has bee
taken on eight others.
Ramspeck Act Cited.
The President agreed that policy
making officials generally have bee
subject TO Senate confirmation, bu
drew distinction between thu
group and the thousands OF techn,
cal and scientific workers who's
duties rate salary of $4,000 {
more.
He reminded Congress that !
1910 il passed the Ramspeck Act. RI
curing virtually all Federal pos
tons to be filed under the mer
system.
Text of Letter.
Made public by Mr.. Wallace, tn
Presidents letter follows:
my Dear Mr.. Vice President:
MY attention has been called I
the provisions of S575. I desire /
express my unqualified opposition I
this proposed legislation.
The proposal for presidents
nomination and Senate confirma
ton Of all employees receiving NOR
than $4,000 per annum presuppose
congressional responsibility for tn
operations of executive agencies. A
agency head is responsible for tn
success or failure of his program
This accountability is dissipated