Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-29
THE EFFICIENCY RECORD.
How n Operates In Examinations for Pro-
motion in the Post Office Department

How II Operates In Examinations for Pro-
motion in the Post ofiee Department
The criticism made BY Gen. Rosecrans, the
register OF the treasury. in his annual report
about<he rules governing promotions in the
departments and the answer made by Mr..
De Land the chief examiner Of the Treasury
Department. has called again the attention
of the public To the system OF examinations for
promotion followed in the departments. The
point Of objection raised b. Gen Rosecrans u
20 what he considers the undue weight given
10 the examinations required Of candidates
for promotion in the Treasury Department.
Under the existing rules ,he examination
Il given a rating OF 30 PEE cent. while
the efficiency record Of the clerk. which repre-
septs his official industry aod Functuality. &c,
Is rated at only 20 per cen'4 Mr.. I've land jus
tifies such a rating on the Srouno that II elirn-
mates the personal equation and reduces 10 "A
minimum the favori;isnl whl b chiefs OF d.
vision m ght display toward tb.ir employees III
the rsti5gs.
IL is found on irJUirv IN tne di1erentdepart-
ments that while The presideL-s order direct
ing that exam.natics-s for Trcmrtion he held
l. ob-erved thsre.sa wide difference AS to certain
details IN the practical operation Of this order.
For example n the Post Office Department.
an Utmost opposite principle L. followed. so that
the rating FOR efficiency l. given u greater itl-
portance than the rating FOR examination The
efficiency record OF a clerk In the P''st Office
Department II rated on the basis OF 90
per cent. while the examination Is
given a weight Of 10 per cent. II is explained
by those who are familiar with these cXtinliIi.-
tions that they are entirely practical III their
character. aud that clerk who has been IDLE
and ntgiectfnl If his duty i unable to pass a
better examination than the diligent clerk, for
the reason that the information called for re-
latcs solely to the practical workings of the d.
vision where the clerks are employed There's are
other elements that enter Into the eflclency
record A. kept al the Post Oetice Department
than mere puuctlIa!ity and industry. The
health Of the clerk Is ;2ken into consideration.
his aptitude for the duties Of his place and
bis general standing clerk are ali con
sidered IL fixing the rate for efficiency. Ii Is
considered 20 be important that the chief Of the
division should have some voice ia she promo
ton of his Clerks "a upon him rests the re-
sponsibilitv for the prompt and efficient per
forInance Of the public business intru-ied 10
him. and therefore he should. in q measure. be
permitted TO select the employees and TO reward
the faithful
In the Interior Department eqnsl weight is
given 20 the rating FOR efficiency and that for
Examination
A CLERK's VIEWS.
An Interior Department clerk Saws on the
subject; Being subject TO the regulations OF
the Interior Department We beg leave 10 oHer
views ia support Of the method therein used.
BY which the monthly record and the examina-
tion test given equG! values. viz. fifty
20 fifty. IL the Presidents recommendations
meant an thiGg they must have contemplated
thai e. Oh clerk should make his own record. a.
good indifferent OF pco-. ard that he would be
thus stimulated To a higher ambition Deprive
him Of the privilege of raising his grade BY eX-
celiency and you nuIlify all good effects OF the
plan = a stimulus By the monthly record the
L
chief sees proper 70 give him. subject
to the matter of opinion. favoritisn
or pref udice, while in the examination test he
ENJOYS the privilege Of overcoming. bv his own {
merits. any undeserving defect in the monthly +
grading. In the bureau N which the writer
belongs some chiefs last February graded 30
much more literally than others as 20 praCti- /.
eally eliminate other divisions from the con-
test. had II not been for the edualizing effects Z
of the examination.
Though a majority Of chiefs are fair-rninfed
and impartial others subs ,an,lally denv the (!
right Of clerk to make his own record For 4
one clerk will brief 100 claims while
the other does but thirty during the month the
Kind Of work being just the same The differ ,
ence will indicate vast difference Of 4
ability. industry or conduct. or all /
OF these qualities combined. The I
grading usually shows they receive the same or
nearly the same percentage OF these subject. |
On the other hand the expected examination !
serves as a great incentive TO CLERKS to post
themselves all the minor details of the
duties OF their Office Competent ard deserving
clerks will generally prefer that jnaicious
competitive examination be- given a prominent
place in the records.
But eificieny should moro lie ground
for promotion than the iack OF it canse for
demOtiOn- We have vet To hear of a CLERK
required to compete with his fellows to retain a
higher POSITION. or Of one being denoted be-
cause of his conduct. habits. Iaziuess Sc. TIE |
gambler. the inebriate. the tough or the Dor
rover who payeth not his honest debts should I
come down step 70 make rocm for the efficient !
and deserving"