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NTELLIGENT observers Washington agree that military routine is responsible for some of the clogging of the wheels of progress in the war preparations. There is, of course, no disposition to attack the individual officers who are on duty there most of whom would be only too happy to go to France but simply a realization that while military routine and etiquette have a necessary place in the field, they are not valuable in the office. In the field, a man obeys orders without asking why, even if he knows a mistake has been made, and it is necessary that this should be so. The success of a manoeuvre involving thousands of lives, perhaps involving victory itself, depends on every man's doing exactly as he is told, and doing it instantly and unquestioningly. There is no reason for such a system in the War Department, or the Navy Department.

Army Officers on Civilian Duty

The War and Navy Departments are essentially civilian institutions. If army and navy officers have been assigned to duty there, it is for scme compelling reason, in most cases. It may happen that civilians with the necessary qualifications and experience are not readily available. Or perhaps the appropriation for the employment of high-salaried civilians is wanting. Or,

again, it may be that certain officers have to make frequent trips to camps, arsenals, and other field establishments where a uniform is practically necessary as a passport.

Granting thus much, it still may be said that there is unnecessary military red tape in the Washington departments. In some bureaus the routine is practically as rigid. as on the battlefield. A lieutenant does not think of addressing a colonel until he has been recognized. No officer thinks of carrying a recommendation above his immediate superior-to do so would be to invite court-martial. Each officer is content blindly to follow orders, even if they fly out the window, and to know that he cannot be held responsible for any part of a transaction beyond the detail that bears his indorsement.

Opportunity for
Initiative Lacking

You cannot blame the officers for this. They have had it drilled into them, at West Point or Annapolis, and later in the camps and posts. But it is not business. It is not the way to get things done-it is only a way to fix responsibility. And what we need for maximum production is not accurate bookkeeping, but unfettered initiative.

A curious and unexpected development: the reserve officers, who have been in uniform only a few months, are in many cases far more

entangled in this strangling routine than army men of many years' standing. But this is a question for psychologists.

There is one shining exception to the rule of routine, namely, the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts of the Navy Department, which makes all the purchases and disbursements for the department. Most of the executives are naval officers, and military discipline is, of course, in force. Insubordination and other offenses can be punished by court-martial. But military routine has been abolished, and military "etiquette" is noticeably absent.

Paymaster General Samuel McGowan is a business man. In the office he is "Mr." McGowan, not

"Admiral." His office is organized on a business plan. Any officer, from the rank of ensign up, may go direct to Rear-Admiral McGowan, or to his assistant, Christian J. Peoples (the youngest Rear-Admiral in the navy) instead of putting his recommendations through the deadly routine of "military channels." Whether as a direct result of this system or not, one thing is noticeable in that officedesks are clean, there are no baskets full of unanswered correspondence, and there is an entire lack of confusion and bustle. It looks as if the brains of the whole organization were at work all the time a condition absolutely unattainable under a system of military proced

ure.

White Book. That is, he gave his answer to the press, and the Association, a few hours later, gave out its letter. So the fight was on.

Association Protests
Violation of Law

The Association's letter, signed by Henry W. Hardon:

By direction of the Law Committee of the Civil Service Reform Association I respectfully call your attention to certain facts which undoubtedly escaped your notice when making the appointment of Dr. Patrick D. Riordan, as chief medical examiner of the City of New York, assuming that the newspaper reports of his appointment are correct.

The medical examiner system, as you know, was established by Chapter

284 of the Laws of 1915, which provides, among other things, that the chief medical examiner should be appointed by the mayor "from the classified service."

In advance of the establishment of the new system the Municipal Civil Service Commission, in July, 1917, held an open competitive examination conducted by specialists of recognized standing in the community. The eligible list as a result of this examination was promulgated on December 1. In view of the fact that Dr. Riordan's name does not appear on the eligible list for the position of chief medical examiner, I respectfully suggest that you have an inquiry made without delay as to the classification and examination for this position and instruct your Commission to certify a list of three names of persons eligible for appointment, so that the position may be filled promptly and in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Law.

Mayor Rejects
Volunteer Aid

The Mayor's reply:

Your letter of January 10th received and contents carefully noted. The Civil Service Commission appointed by me will comply with the law and will be glad to ask for the co-operation of your Committee when needed.

During the last four years the Civil Service law has been grossly violated and disregarded. The public has heard little from the Civil Service Reform Association during that time.

We have had all the reform that we want in this city for some time to

come.

The Mayor named Patrick D. Riordan, under two successive fifteen-day appointments, to be Chief Medical Examiner. Mr. Riordan, an ex-Coroner, needless to say, had all the qualifications for the office that would appeal to a

Mayor determined to ignore the existence of an eligible list on which were the names of three experts eminently fitted for the place. To a city tired of reform, the selection was an ideal one.

The only real objection was that it was entirely illegal and unconstitutional, and the New York Civil Service Reform Association was forced to take its stand on this relatively inconsequential ground. As a result of suits begun against the city administration by the Association and its friends, the Mayor was forced to abandon the idea of naming Riordan permanently, even though that estimable gentleman had gone to the trouble of having his name painted on the twenty-one doors of his offices in the five boroughs of the city.

The new Municipal Civil Service Commission had been hard put to find a reason for ignoring the eligible list. Finally it discovered that a crime had been committed in the examination. The candidates had been directed to perform an autopsy in the city morgue, as a practical test. Unclaimed bodies were used for the purpose, in defiance of the law that such bodies are to be turned over to some medical society or other.

Scandalous Crime
Of Three Eligibles

Obviously, the Commission pointed out, no man was fit to be medical examiner who would thus ghoulishly and illegally desecrate the unclaimed bodies in the morgue. The Corporation Counsel was asked to investigate the crime and give an opinion. Meanwhile, to make assurance doubly sure, the Commission asked the State Commission to

exempt the place, and filed a brief of its argument. But this brief was returned, because the City Commission had neglected the formality of holding a public hearing on the subject, as the law requires.

The temporary appointment of Mr. Riordan was running its course, and there must be some action. The three "criminals" on the eligible list were hovering over the prospective vacancy. Something must be done to prevent their getting it.

"Larkin Idea"

Hits Commission

Here the Municipal Commission had a new thought. There was one man who had failed to pass the examination, but who was "acceptable." He was Dr. John H. Larkin. True, he had, like the successful candidates, violated the law by performing an illegal autopsy. But after all, the crime was not in performing the autopsy, but in being given a passing mark by the Mitchel Civil Service Commission. So Dr. Larkin's oral test was rerated from the stenographic transcript and, as the new Commission expected, he was found entitled to a much higher mark than the original examiners, who were mere experts, had given him. It was announced that Dr. Larkin's new rating entitled him to third place and that he would be appointed.

The troublesome Civil Service Reform Association stepped in again, however, with its petty insistence on the law. It is announced that the Commission would be mandamused to replace Dr. Symmers as number three, and keep the acceptable Dr. Larkin out in the cold.

Then the Mayor agreed to an armistice. He abandoned the "Lar

kin idea" and appointed Dr. Charles Norris, in spite of his "criminal" record, and in spite of the fact that he stood second on the eligible list. And now the only obstacle to peace is the Mayor's statement that he will continue the motion with the State Commission to have the position exempted from competition. It looks as if the war would go on to a decision.

Engraving Bureau exempted

Ο

N January 15, the President by executive order exempted the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, one of the largest offices in Washington, from the operation of the civil service law. The Secretary of the Treasury, in asking for the exemption, stated that the Department had experienced great difficulty in securing efficient help for the Bureau from the Civil Service Commission, and that the exemption would be "greatly in the interest of the service." The President added: "This is purely an emergency measure and will be revoked as soon as the necessity for it is past."

An executive order issued January 10, exempting "all persons employed by the quartermaster corps of the army in connection with the prosecution of construction work," in which the Civil Service Commission did not concur, was revoked January 15.

admits it. That is as far as it goes. It is one of those things that everybody approves and nobody practises. The Democratic platform promises it. Most of the Cabinet indorse it. The Civil Service Commission urges it. Congressmen favor it. The Bureau of Efficiency studies it. Why doesn't somebody do it?

There is every reason why it should be enacted without delay, because it is not only a measure of justice but a measure of economy and efficiency, and we need economy and efficiency more now than ever we did before or, possibly, ever shall again. Postponing action on this question is reprieving the Kaiser.

Possibly if there were some concerted opposition to such a law its friends would become more active. Congress has a way of side-tracking measures that are not mooted, in favor of those that are controversial. Will it help any if we get somebody to start a lobby against retirement legislation?

McIlhenny to Quit

SUCCESSOR to John A. Mc

Allhenny, as President of the

United States Civil Service Commission, is being sought by President Wilson. This fact was verified by GOOD GOVERNMENT after reports to that effect were published in the Civil Service News, of Chicago, on January 31, and in the New York Tribune on February 8.

It is said that the quest for another president for the Commission began as early as last June. Both the New York Tribune's Washington correspondent and James L. Wright, correspondent of the Civil Service News, agree that the posi

tion was offered to Victor Murdock, of Kansas, and to Robert W. Woolley, formerly Director of the Mint. Both declined, Mr. Murdock to become a member of the Federal Trade Commission, and Mr. Woolley to join the Interstate Commerce Commission.

The Tribune adds that "a Mr. Zimmerman, aspirant for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Ohio at the last election," also was offered the position and also declined.

Inability to work in harmony with Messrs. Craven and Galloway, the two other Commissioners, is alleged as the reason underlying the desire to replace Mr. McIlhenny.

T

A Silly Little Law

HERE is a law on the statute books requiring all candidates for the departmental service in Washington to take the civil-service examination in the State of their residence. This silly little law is just now depriving the government of the much-needed services of many competent persons.

Hundreds of such persons, for instance, have flocked to Washington in response to the government's call for help. Arrived there, they discover that they must return to Delaware or Dakota before they can qualify. Many capable persons who are New Yorkers in every sense except a technical sense-they work and play in New York, but happen to sleep in a Jersey suburb-are barred from taking the examinations at the New York Custom House, which is convenient for them, and are obliged to make a special trip to Newark or some other relatively out-of-the-way place.