Book Reviews and Notices : Public Personnel Administration. By WM. E. MOSHER, J. DONALD KINGSLEY, and O. GLENN STAHL. (New York: Harper and Brothers. 1950. Third Edition. Pp. xi, 652. $5.00.)

• Date: 01 March 1951
• Published date: 01 March 1951
• DOI: 10.1177/106591295100400160
• Subject Matter: Articles

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In one sense, the author’s critical faculties produce a somewhat drab
picture. His concern over the faulty administrative structure of the Depart-
ment of State is a plea for courageous and drastic reorganization. He
would like the Department of State to cut away its inferior duplication
of the work of other federal agencies and concentrate on the field of
political affairs. His argument is enhanced by clear evidence that the
Department is severely understaffed in political affairs, to a point where its
other work crowds out an effective contribution in that essential category.
The way in which the Department has reacted to the Hoover Commis-
sion’s recommendations on internal organization is revealed as half,hearted
at best and, so far as the nonpolitical units are concerned, has been most
discouraging to the author.
The Foreign Service is subjected to penetrating scrutiny, and there is
a challenging criticism of the 1946 Foreign Service Act. The author has
a disarming respect for the &dquo;FSO elite,&dquo; but he would prefer their merger
with domestic personnel. The lack of area specialists in the Foreign Service
is given considerable attention. In fact, the &dquo;generalist&dquo; philosophy of the
Foreign Service is rather a worry to Professor McCamy. It may be that
this philosophy is overemphasized, yet it seems to the reviewer that it
would be even more dangerous to overemphasize the area specialist.
Professor McCamy has written a very good and helpful book, a book
tempered by a recognition that reorganization is a continuous and con-
tinuing process, and that no blueprint is an end in itself. The author has
invoked a rich personal background of governmental service and academic
study to produce an effective and stimulating contribution to the literature
of a much neglected and yet vitally significant field.
ROSS N. BERKES.
University of Southern California.
Public Personnel Administration. By WM. E. MOSHER, J. DONALD KINGSLEY,
and O. GLENN STAHL. (New...