548 ROSA: REORGANIZED CIVIL SERVICE 



ing and answering such complaints without needless publicity, 

 it will help administrative officers who are faithful and com- 

 petent. And if through oversight an injustice has been done, 

 it can be corrected. No administrative officer intends to do an 

 injustice, but he cannot have perfect knowledge and he cannot 

 escape mistakes occasionally. A willingness to review a decision 

 if requested, and to explain the reasons for such decision, will 

 promote good relations. The existence of such committees gives 

 the administrative officer a chance to explain ; without them it is 

 more difficult either to ascertain the need or to make the expla- 

 nation. 



II. COOPERATION BETWEEN EXECUTIVES AND THE CIVIIv SERVICE 



COMMISSION 



The constant aim throughout the servdce should be to secure 

 an intelligent and sympathetic handling of personnel problems. 

 While on the one hand avoiding autocratic methods, we should 

 not go to the other extreme of taking away authority from those 

 who are responsible for results. To develop enthusiasm and 

 loyalty, and to build up an efficient organization will be impos- 

 sible if employees are dissatisfied with their treatment or if 

 controversy and conflicts occur. Cordial cooperation between 

 the executives of each department and the Civil Service Com- 

 mission is absolutely necessary. The primary thought and duty 

 of the Commission should be, not to prevent administrators from 

 doing wrong, but to assist them in handling personnel problems 

 and in raising the morale and efficiency of the employees. If 

 the legal impediments to good administration could be removed, 

 the staff of the Civil Service Commission greatly strengthened, 

 and the Commission assisted by an able and representative Ad- 

 visory Council, it would be found that the executive departments 

 would welcome the greater cooperation of the Civil Service Com- 

 mission, and that there would be no need for drastic rules to 

 prevent bad administration. The various features outlined 

 above combined with our present system would, it is believed, 

 provide a practical and thoroughly satisfactory Civil Service 

 system, and in connection with a budget system and detailed and 



