280 J.AWS APPLICABLE TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 



sively eng^ao^od upon some specific work, as he may find it necessary 

 and proptT to do. but all details hereunder shall bo made by written 

 order of tlie head of the Department, and in no case be for a period 

 of time exceeding one hundred and twenty days: Provided^ That de- 

 tails so made may, on expiration, be renewed from time to time by 

 written order of the head of the Department, in each particular case, 

 for periods of not exceeding one hundred and twenty days. All de- 

 tails heretofore made are hereby revoked, but may be renewed as 

 provided herein. 



Rev. St. sec. 16G, a.s amended by Act May 28, 1896. c. 252. s. 3, 29 

 Stat. 17!». 



ACT AUGUST 15, 1876, c. 287. (19 Stat. 143.) 



Alteration in number of clerks of higher and lower grades. 



Sec. :5. That whenever, in the judgment of the head of any depart- 

 ment, the duties assigned to a clerk of one class can be as well per- 

 formed by a clerk of a lower class or by a female clerk, it shall be 

 lawful for him to diminish the number of clerks of the higher grade 

 and increase tiie nunil)er of the clerks of the lower grade within the 

 limit of the total appropriation for such clerical service: Provided^ 

 That in making any reduction of force in any of the executive de- 

 partments, the head of such department shall retain those persons 

 who may be equally qualified who have been honorably discharged 

 from the military or naval service of the United States, and the wid- 

 ows and orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors. 



Act Atigust m. 1.S70, c. 2S7, s. 3, 19 Stat. 1«9. 



Tliis i.s a sectiou of the letjislative, executive and judicial appropriation 

 act for the ti.scal year 1877, citetl above. 



ACT AUGUST 23, 1912, c. 350. (37 Stat. 360.) 



Efficiency ratings for classified service in executive departments; promotions, 

 demotions, and dismissals; records of efficiency to be furnished by depart- 

 ments; punishment for violation of section. 



Sec. 4. The Civil Service Commission shall, subject to the approval 

 of the President, establish a system of efficiency ratings for the classi- 

 fied service in the several executive departments in the District of 

 Columbia based upon records kept in each department and inde- 

 pendent establi.shment with such fre((ueiu'y as to make tliem as 

 nearly as possible records of fact. Such system shall provide a 

 miiiitinun rating of efficiency which must be attained b}' an employee 

 b(>f()i-e he may be jjromoted; it shall also provide a rating below 

 which no employee may fall without being demoted; it shall further 

 provide for a rating below which no employee may fall without being 

 dismis.sed for inciriciency. All promotions, demotions, or dismissals 

 shall be governed by provisions of the (.'ivil service rules. Co))ies of 

 all records of efficiency shall be furnished by the departments and 

 independent establishments to the Civil Service Commission for 

 recoi'd in acr'ordance with the provisions of this section: Provided^ 

 That in the event ol" reductit)ns being matle in the force in any of the 

 executive departments no honorably di.scharged soldier or sailor 

 whose record in said department is rated good shall be discharged or 

 dropped, or reduced in rank or salary. 



Any person knowingly violating the provisions of this .section shall 

 bo summarily removed from office, and may also upon conviction 



