Executive Order 1471

Civil service Rule XII relating to removals is amended to read as follows:

Rule XII—Removals and Reductions.

1. A removal or reduction may be made for any cause which will promote the efficiency of the service, but like penalties shall be imposed for like offenses, and no discrimination shall be exercised for political or religious reasons.
2. A person in the competitive service whose removal is proposed shall be furnished with a statement of reasons and be allowed a reasonable time for personally answering such reasons in writing; but no examination of witnesses nor any trial or hearing shall be required except in the discretion of the officer making the removal. Copy of such reasons and answer and of the order of removal shall be made a part of the records of the proper department or office, and the commission shall upon its request be furnished with a copy of the record in the case. The above procedure shall be followed in like manner in any reduction in grade or compensation for delinquency or misconduct, but the procedure may be limited to the filing of a statement of reasons with the order for reduction if the reduction is for administrative reasons only.
3. Pending action under section 2 of this rule, or for disciplinary reasons, a person may be suspended or temporarily removed for a period not to exceed 90 days, but the reasons for such suspension or removal shall be furnished the employee and filed in the records of the proper department or office.
4. The commission shall have no jurisdiction to review the findings of a removing officer upon the reasons and answer provided for in section 2 of this rule, nor shall the commission have authority to investigate any removal or reduction, unless it is alleged, with offer of proof, that the procedure required by section 2 of this rule has not been followed or that the removal was made for political or religious reasons.

Wm. H. Taft.

The White House,

February 8, 1912.