592 Presidential Addresses 



competitive examinations offer the only available 

 means in many cases for applying this system. In 

 other cases, as where laborers are employed, a sys- 

 tem of registration undoubtedly can be widely ex- 

 tended. There are, of course, places where the writ- 

 ten competitive examination can not be applied, and 

 others where it offers by no means an ideal solution, 

 but where under existing political conditions it is, 

 though an imperfect means, yet the best present 

 means of getting satisfactory results. 



Wherever the conditions have permitted the ap- 

 plication of the merit system in its fullest and widest 

 sense, the gain to the government has been immense. 

 The navy yards and postal service illustrate, prob- 

 ably better than any other branches of the govern- 

 ment, the great gain in economy, efficiency, and hon- 

 esty due to the enforcement of this principle. 



I recommend the passage of a law which will ex- 

 tend the classified service to the District of Co- 

 lumbia, or will at least enable the President thus to 

 extend it. In my judgment all laws providing for 

 the temporary employment of clerks should here- 

 after contain a provision that they be selected under 

 the Civil Service Law. 



It is important to have this system obtain at home, 

 but it is even more important to have it applied 

 rigidly in our insular possessions. Not an office 

 should be filled in the Philippines or Porto Rico with 

 any regard to the man's partisan affiliations or ser- 

 vices, with any regard to the political, social, or 

 personal influence which he may have at his com- 



