Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-20
responsibility for the appointment
of employees is divided.

of employees is divided.
Under our form of government
the appointment of those officers
who, in a fundamental sense. de-
termine policy, has generally been
subject to Senate confirmation. But
determination of policy is not
synonymous with the exercise OF
administrative discretion. Neither
does it include work performed by
the vast number of scientific and
technical personnel who occupy po-
sitionS which fall above a salary
! figure of $4,000 or any other ar
bitrary amount.
The practice of the Federal Gov
eminent with respect to the selec-
ton and appointment of nom policy
determining employees has evolved
over period of 60 years
This development eliminated in
the passage of the Ramspeck Act of
1910 requiring the appointment of
practically all such employees on the
basis of merit under the Civil Serv-
ice Act. To turn the clock back by
reversing this decision would be
folly in time of peace. In war il
would be little less than tragic.
Equally important are the prac-
tical considerations which make this
bill undesirable. More than $4,000
positions would be subject to presi-
Dental nomination and Senate con-
flrmation under the terms of the
proposed legislation. I do not have
the time personally to examine the
qualifications of the individuals
whose appointments would in such
circumstances have to be approved
oy me-
1T is equally evident that the
Congress does not have the time.
Senate confirmation would either
become a rubber stamp process or a
task of such magnitude as to leave
little time for the conduct of legis-
latlVe business and to delay ap-
pointments to essential war jobs.
VINO Instances Recalled.
The experience with confirma-
ton of the War Manpower Com
mission appointments as required
by its appropriation act is signifi-
| cant. On January II, l943. 30
| names were nominated to the SEN
ate. No action was taken until
February IS, when 81 names were
confirmed and one was sent back to
the committee. At the present time
almost six weeks after the submits
| sion of the nominations. action still
remains to be taken in eight cases
If the proposed bill is enacted into
law, with the inevitable multiple
cation of delays of this character
the American people will not fail to
realize that it is the legislative
branch of the Government that is
thus holding up the vigorous prose
cution of the war program.
This bill, if enacted into law
would also adversely affect the re-
cruitmenc of persons. Cor key posi-
tons. 1t would lay all Of us open
10 the charge that we are playing
politics with the war program. We
cannot permit confidence in the
Government to be undermined II
this manner. Neither can we afford
to add the obstacle of Senate con-
f1rmation to other difficulties which
confront VI in our efforts to secure
the best talent of the Nation for the
Government service
During the past 2l2 years, in the
face Of steadily dwindling reserve
OF manpower, the Government sew
ice has expanded from less thar
100000 employees to approyima teiy
100000. Undoubtedly, in view OF
the large numbers involved, the
limited supply and the speed re-
quired. mistakes have been made
Corrective steps have been taken
and will continue TO be taken, t
eliminate abuses and 20 strengthen
the machinery for the application Of
the merit principle to the recruit.
ment, advancement and removal O.
employees
In our zeal to correct mistakes
however. We should not make thu
error Of undermining the entire ad
mlnistrative structure that has beer
erected for the conduct of the war
/, Confirmation Of administrative, pro
= fessional and technical employees b,
legislative body is the very anti
thesis of the merit system and woult
sweep away years Of civil service
progress
For these reasons I urge tina
thir bill not be enacted into law"
Officials OF the Budget Burea,
said last night that QUESTIONABLE
regarding salaries is being sent Il
Federal Government employees IL
executive and similar posts in com
pliance with a request for informa
ton by the Senate Judiciary Com
mlttee.
Budget Bureau officials explained
that because much of the salar,
information is scattered through
various departments and bureaus
some Of which have been movet
from the capital. it was decided tina
QUESTIONABLE would be the mos
expeditions way of getting the in
formation asked by the committee.