Franklin Roosevelt actually said...

"I have decided to subject Government lawyers, like other professional men in the service of the Government, to the standards and the requirements of the merit system."

"This Order will become generally effective on January 1, 1942."

"It provides that those positions becoming vacant between July 1, 1941, and January 1, 1942, will automatically be brought within the civil service when they become vacant."

"The positions of Counsel and Assistant Attorney in the Alley Dwelling Authority are hereby covered into the competitive classified civil service."