University Trained Civil Service Is Needed by Federal Government, States Professor Elliott

"In Washington today, one is struck by the large number of first rate college men in various offices outside of the publicized brain trust," said William Y. Elliott, professor of Government, in an interview with the CRIMSON yesterday. "These men were brought in by the expansion of the government at a time when unemployment was widespread among a class which would ordinarily enter some form of business.

"When, if ever, the government is able to restrict the scope of its activity it will be necessary and advisable to drop many of these employees. A percentage of them, however, are admirably fitted for a public career and should be kept on. The government should make a practice of recruiting this type in ordinary times. But how can this be accomplished?

"The question is getting attention at present. The government has to have able people, and this need is helpful in bringing the question to the attention of government officials. President Roosevelt is exercised about the problem. He sees that the Civil Service exams must be revised so that they will be better suited to men with an ordinary college education, and that more chance for promotion must be given. He has a benevolent interest in the Committee of the Social Research Department on Public Personnel which will make a report in the near future. A special committee for a study of the situation is being planned. There seems to be a real hope that an able Civil Service will be developed.

"There is one thing which is opposed to this, however. The President has to exercise patronage to control legislation. In order to have congressmen vote for his bills he is obliged to make arbitrary appointments in all branches of the government. He has no other whiplash over the House and the Senate except public support, such as he enjoys at present. When he is out of favor with a part of the people, he must rely on the spoils system. He should be given the right to adjourn the Congress once in his term, and make the legislators stand public election."