Statement of the National Civil Service Reform League on President Harding's executive order of May 10, 1921

In 1917, President Wilson issued an executive order requiring postmaster nominees to pass a civil service examination and authorizing only the person who passed the exam with the highest rating be nominated to the Senate. In 1921 President Harding amended the order to provide for the rule of three instead of requiring the appointment of the person who stood first in the examination. An investigation conducted by the National Civil Service Reform League two years later, indicated that the change resulted in the reintroduction of patronage appointments.