Executive Order 1127

By reason of the small compensation usually paid to messenger boys upon entrance to the service, and by reason of the early age at which they are appointed, it has not been deemed proper to hold this examination for the departmental service at Washington away from the seat of Government. The examination has been limited to Washington, D. C., but applicants, while actually located in the District of Columbia, have been able to establish legal residence in the various States in so many instances that the several States and Territories have been fairly represented in the apportionment of messenger boys. Legal residents of the District of Columbia have not been certified for the apportioned service. Under section 7 of the census act approved July 2, 1909, it will be necessary for applicants to actually reside in the State or Territory in which they are examined, and as it is deemed impracticable to hold messenger boy examinations outside of Washington, the examination will be limited by the census act to residents of the District of Columbia. If messenger boys were charged to the apportionment as heretofore, the excessive number of apportioned appointments already received by the District would be largely increased. In view of these facts, civil-service Rule VII, and civil-service Rule XI are hereby amended to provide for the appointment of messenger boys without charge to the apportionment.

Civil Service Rule VII, paragraph 2, is amended by adding the following words:

and messenger boy.

As amended, the paragraph will read as follows:

2. Certification for appointment in the departments or independent offices at Washington shall be so made as to maintain, as nearly as the conditions of good administration will warrant, the apportionment of such appointments among the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia upon the basis of population: Provided, That appointments to the following-named positions shall not be so apportioned, viz: Plate printer, printer's assistant, skilled helper, and operative in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing; positions in the field service of the military staff departments and at Army Headquarters, mail-bag repair shop and mail-lock repair shop, Government Printing Office, Pension Agency, and local offices in the District of Columbia; apprentice, student, gardener, engraver, carpenter, cabinetmaker, painter, plumber, plumber's helper, electric wireman, electric lineman, electrician's helper, and messenger boy.

Civil Service Rule XI is amended by the addition of a new paragraph to be numbered 6, as follows:

6. Messenger boys appointed without regard to the apportionment shall not be promoted or transferred to apportioned positions whether they are residents of States or Territories which are entitled to appointments to apportioned positions or not.

This order is made upon the recommendation of the Civil Service Commission.

Wm. H. Taft.

The White House,

September 18, 1909.