Correctives for Dishonest and Unfair Public Administrators

After a period of blatant discriminatory practices during the postwar years, the federal government under Presi dents Kennedy and Johnson has initiated an attempt at reform. The principal administrative corrective being tried today in or der to prevent dishonesty and unfairness in public office is a body of regulations designed to safeguard the civil servant from temptation, for example, a sixteen-page letter of regula tions issued by the Civil Service Commission, as well as various similar rules issued by the individual departments of govern ment. This article suggests that in contrast to these methods the effective correctives are (1) vigor and clarity in setting forth the goals of government policy and day-to-day gov ernment activity, under the leadership of a forceful President; (2) persistent inspection within government agencies; and (3) swift legal action when an act of dishonesty is uncovered and swift administrative retribution when an act of unfairness is uncovered. Thus the public interest in equality before the government and in effective government is defended, and the dignity of the civil servant is preserved.—Ed.