The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-03-30
Gets. RiIed Over
What He Terms
Civil Service Mind

(This is part of an article written
by Capt ]. r. Larcomb for his pa
per, the Phillips County News of
Malta. Lacromb is now at a military
camp in Texas.)
This week / encountered gor-
geous example of the disease | call
civil service mind for want of a
better term : My department
here is new and because consider
able preliminary organization work
is necessary have not yet needed
either stenographer or filing
clerk-typist-the basic setup, ap-
parently, in any new government
show . = My tipping work has been
done adequately by girls around the
place who have nothing to do at the
moment, another common condition.
However, a week ago the chief
civilian clerk graciously appeared
to take my order for personnel. !. ;.
With equal grace | told him my
plans and explained that would be
glad to call on him in about a month,
when I would need help. He
appeared puzzled and somewhat
astounded as we'll as unconvinced,
but finally ambled off mumbling
into his beard. Imagine my
establishment, then, when yesterday
morning two young ladies appeared
before my desk, informed. me they
were my shelton crew. and where
did want them to work? !.
Good old civil service, a la Wash
ington, D. CT :. Spread the work
and distribute the wealth. !. ).
YOURS, Mr., Taxpayer! =. So,
suppose, for the next month I shall
be forced, willynilly, into having
almost existent chores done by
two yawning lady helpers with an
interminable nail-filing job facing
theml M. And, if / find my desk
even busted off in the morning
without doing it myself it will be
major miracle. . Typists are
ladies these days-not menialsl
Reminds me of the time in Wash
ington last year, when all officers
and civilian chiefs labored earn
estly for two days devising ways
to do more work with fewer peo-
ple---in aid Of the '.manpower cri-
sis" The result was an order
to prepare chart" showing the
new setup and its positions.
(Oh, that dammable word "setup!")
Our show was turned over to
the lady principal clerk, wise old
gel with only Is years experience
as war department employee.
Instead of effecting the consolida-
ton we had arranged with SO much
blood, sweat and tears, this She
wizard tackled on about a dozen
more potential jobs ("vacancies, :
they are called,) got her plan APP
proved by higher power and, ! be-
lieve, triumphantly closed the deal
by getting herself $500 raise in
pay on the ground that she had
more people to supervise now, and
rated it according to regulations
\. Ho, hum! | know there are
thousands of capable, conscientious
folks making career of civil SER
vice and giving far more than value
received. =. But | also know there
are other thousands, largely in CEN
tiers of government like Washing
ton, who haven't delivered days
work since they were hired.
In many cases it is not their fault
as individuals, and hence it is de-
plorable organization and manage
ment which | criticize. :. The pri-
vate business and private individ-
uals who support this system of po-
lite burglary wouldn't tolerate it
for single moment in their own
enterprises, yet apparently they are
saddled with it in their government
and unable to protest effectively.