Evening star., 1943-07-20
Ramspeck Asks
New Setup on
u. ). Personnel
Wants Top Agency
To Fix Policies for
All Departments
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,

S' SFA' 'AHtSutS
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.
Striking at the widespread prac-
tice of employing callow collegiates
for top-f1ight personnel jobs in the
Government, Chairman Ramspeck
of the Civil Service Investigating
Committee said today he would ad-
vocate an overall, centralized agency
having full authority to outline and
control personnel policy when Con-
gress convenes in September.
Chairman Ramspeck said recon-
mendations to Congress for improv-
ing the Civil Service will be con-
tanned in preliminary report now
being drafted by the committee.
Il am of the opinion that there
should be one, overall, centralized
agency in Government that would
have full authority to outline and
control personnel policy AS we are
now proceeding there just can't be
uniform standards and termina-
ton of confusion that today exists
IN many Government agencies" Mr..
Ramspeck declared.
Raps "Callow Collegiates."
He said it also was his opinion
that the policy of the Government
widespread practice of employing
callow collegiates for op-fight per-
sonnel jobs-should be stopped at
once. Some of these positions carry
enormous responsibility. RESPONSE
bility often too great for a young
Ster"
Chairman Ramspeck pointed out
that the report now being prepared
covers the first eight months ac-
tlvltles OF his investigating commit
tee. Explaining his recommendation
regarding "callow collegiates." Mr..
Ramspeck said: Academic excel
lence is not sufficient for WELL
roundabout personnel officer. He
must have keen judgment of hu-
man nature, tact. knowledge of
aptitude and sensitivity, talents
which can be gained solely through
experience.
Some of these personnel young
Sters develop a mild form of ego
mania under the impact of the i'm
portant jobs thrust upon them by
Government practice and not gained
by them through ability. ,
Hire Fraternity Brothers.
These youngsters, acquiring a
lust for greater powers and moving
to strengthen their own positions,
set out almost Immediately on a
rampage of wide-scale hiring of their
fraternity brothers, thus setting up
important cliques within the confines
of the Government structure. This
is a dangerous trend and should he
checked Immediately.
"A college degree does not neces-
sarily carry with it that indefnable
characteristic of common sense, so
much needed by the Government
personnel officer. The Civil Service
Commission, we have found, has
overemphasized the importance of
college degrees, setting up standards
entirely out of line with certain
Government jobs.
The committee has found an
abundance of college degrees and
a paucity of practical experience in
hlgh-ranklng jobs where officials
control the personal destinies of
millions of Government workers,
their happiness and efficiency, and
the general welfare of the country"
Cites Danger Signal.
Chairman Ramspeck. summarize
ing the work and findings and ;n-
f1uence of his committees investiga-
ton throughout various Govern
ment agencies during the past eight
months said:
IF the committee, thus far, has
served no other purpose, it has
acted as danger signal against
mass and frequently needless hiring.
Government hiring practices were
getting out of hand. Some Govern
ment personnel officers we're ap-
parently working under the errone-
GUS impression that Government
efficiency increased in proportion to
the number of new workers.
Mr.. Ramspeck said that for tie
first 10 months of 1912, the Govarn-
ment hired a monthly average OF
100000 new civilian workers. With
the establishment of his committee
Of investigation in November, the
average employment figure dropped
to $4,000 month. or an average
monthly reduction of $1,000.
$500, 100000 Saved.
In terms of dollars, Chairman
Ramspeck figured that the reduce
ton represents an eight-month saw
ing of approximately 100000 900,
based on an annual wage of $4,000.
obviously, the committee does not
represent itself as the sole factor
in these enormous economies, but it
does believe it played an important
role in the savings he said BY
contrast, he pointed out that this
committee has been operating under
an appropriation of S35, 1000.
In one specific instance. Mr..
Ramspeck said. ''the committee
saved the taxpayers s127,0O0, 900 by
directing the attention of the House
Appropriation Committee to certain
civilian personnel items in the War
Departments supply bill"
In summarizing the activities Of
his investigating committee, Chair
man Ramspeck said ''it should be
pointed out that these savings were
effected through the cooperation OF
the various departments with the
committee. There are certain per-
sonnel practices, archaic and out
moded, for which no one in the
executive department can be blamed.
AS result there is confusion, di-
vided responsibility and lack of
clear-cut authority among Govern
ment agencies dealing in personnel
problems"