Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-20
REFORM IN A NEW QUARTER.
The Engraving Bureau About to Have
its First Civil-Service Examination.

"Yes, we are going to undergo our first civil
service examination in a day or two," said Chief
Graves. of the bureau of engraving and print
ing, in response to the inquiry of a STAR re-
porter. "Since June 49," he continued, "when
the President issued his order, we have not ap-
pointed single printers assistant to a position
here, and there will be none until the
commission has held the examination and GER
titled some of the successful ones"
Are there many vacancies?" asked the re-
prter.
''Yes, quite large number. But the crowd
of people who will be examined some day this
week WILL expect, provide US with many more
than there is room for"
What will be the nature of the examina-
tion?"
1T will be very simple, and any one who has
fair knowledge of the rudiments of an Eng
lish education can'pass it. The $500 class ex-
animation. for departmental positions, is very
easy, but this one is not difficult as that.
There will also be physical examination, but
just what it will be 1 cannot say. The matter
is in the hands of the commission"
us the work of printers assistant very ard
uous2" asked the reporter.
THE actual work of laying on the sheets is
by no means hard" replied Mr.. Graves, "but it
requires the woman to be ON her feet for six or
seven hours each day. 1t is the latter exertion
"
to see how many women, apparently robust,
have to throw up their situations here because
the strain required is too great On the other
hand, there are many apparently delicate little
women who work as assistants from January to
January and seem to be no worse for it.
AMERICAN WOMEN CAN'T STAND HARD WORK.
'The truth is, however, and my experience
here has confirmed it, the American woman
cannot work; that is she cannot stand the con-
IL Il -
and pleasant by women OF other countries"
Have you made any appointments since the
President issued his order of June 29 applying
the civil service rules to your bureau2"
only few plate printers" said Mr. Graves,
land these the commission decided had to be
exempted. 1t is difficult matter to test by
any educational rule the qualities and ability
of journeyman; he must be judged more
practically"
HAS the commission" asked the reporter,
'fixed any age limit for the examination and
certification of these printers assistants2"
''Yes, the matter was carefully discussed
between the commission and myself, and it
was decided to receive no applications from
women who were under eighteen or over
thirty five years of age"
PLENTY OF APPLICANTS FOR EXAMINATION.
Commissioner Lyman, when seen by a STAR
reporter, said that an examination would soon
be held for printers assistants to be employed
in the bureau Of engraving and printing
There are already" said he, more candi-
dates several times over than there are places
for them; due probably, to the fact that resi-
cluded by the state quota rule. The examina-
tion," continued Mr.. Lyman, Twill be easy,
and those persons having the highest percent
age will be certified in the regular way. They
will be appointed for probationary term Of
six months. Hitherto it has been customary in
the bureau of engraving and printing to ap-
point for one month, and If everything is salts
factory at the end of that period to then give a
permanent appointment. Our rules have made
the probationary term six months"
''How will the candidates be examined as to
their physical qualifcations?' queried the re-
porter.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF PRINTERS ASSIST
ANTS.
''Their physical qualifications will be fully
tested during their six months probation;
there will be no medical examination. If the
appointees are not able to do the work the pro-
bationary period may be terminated at once"
How if the weakness should develop after
they have received permanent appointment"
1T could be terminated just as easily" re-
piled the commissioner. THE application of
the rules to the bureau of engraving and print
ing does not prevent the removal of any of the
employees, but it shuts off that tremendous out
side pressure which has hitherto been the
cause of the majority of the dismssals. Here
tOfore it has been customary to remove an en-
ploye SO that he or she might give place to one
with more influence. Now an employe may be
removed just as easily, but the power that re-
moves cannot appoint; he has to take what we
send him. Thus. in taking away the power to
appoint we remove the cause for the great
majority of dismissals."
A New Position for Col. Lamont.