Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-09-26
Civil Service !.
Merit System
Probe Set Up
james R. Watson
Named to Head
Sweeping Study
BY HAROLD b. ROGERS

" -
BY HAROLD b. ROGERS
An intensive probe of the Gov
ernment's civil service merit
system and its administration
was set up today by the Senate
Post Once and Civil Service
Committee.
Committee Chairman john
ston, Democrat of South Caro-
lima, named James r. Watson
executive director of the Ma
tional Civil Service League to
head the sweeping investigation
and survey.
Announcing that the study
group will look into the role OF
the White House and the Civil
Service Commission. Senator
Johnston emphasized that Mr..
Watson had been chosen be-
cause his position with the
League would insure a mon
partisan and analytical approach
to the problem.
Broad Investigation
..This intensive probe will cover
the entire civil service system
and its administration" Senator
Johnston announced. 1T is OBJ
jective and is not intended to
smear or whitewash anyone.
II am sure Mr.. Watson win
deliver to the committee an ex-
pert and thorough set OF find
jngs and impartial recommended
tions to be used in the best
interests Of the merit system,
and for the inspiration and Sc
curly Of career employees"
In his formal announcement
Of the investigation, ordered by
Senate vote. Senator Johnston
outlined the far-reaching scope
Of the program.
Among the areas to be covered.
he said, will be q study with
recommendations on the posi-
tions rs the White House and
the Civil Service Commission In
personnel management. and how
existing relationships between
the two affect the merit system.
willis Order" Probed
The investigation win include
the so-called willis Order.
which came from the White
House last year. This order. the
committee statement said. estab-
lished q procedure foi selecting
Republicans to fill Government
jobs " N
A study win be made ito de-
termine what impact that order
had on career civil servants and
the merit. system. :"
Also to be examined viii be
the dual role Of Philip Young
as chairman Of the Civil Service
Commission. and as personnel
advisor to the President, to see
If changes in this relationship
are advisable.
The study group also win de-
ternine IL changes are necessary
IN the top structure Of the Com
mission to insure compliance
with detectives Of the merit sys-
TEN and basic principles of mod
ern personnel management.
Senator johnson said he would
ask for an investigation Of the
Civil Service Commissions Board
of Appeals and Review, and OF
possible outside influence on
decisions emanating from the
board"
Appeals System Study
He said he hoped for recon-
mendations on an appeals system
for all Federal employees which
would best serve the needs OF
the merit system. the reputation
of the United States Govern
ment as an employer and the
efficiency Of the public service.
Also there will be an inquiry
into policies OF the various Fed
eral departments and agencies
In administering civil service and
the effects Of those policies on
the system.
Senator Johnston character
ICED the National Civil Service
League, Of which Mr.. Watson Is
executive director, as a non
profit citizens organization. II
was founded in 1911, he ex-
planned. to work toward better
Federal, State and local govern
ment through improved civil
service standards and modern
personnel practices. It has been
credited. he said, with establish
ment Of the merit concept In
American Government.
Mr.. Watson joined the league
In l949 when he was professor
Of political science at Western
Reserve University at Cleveland.
He is nationally known in the
public administration field, and
was regional director of the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board in
Puerto Rico in ls45.