Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-07
A NEW MERIT SYSTEM
Adopted to Govern Promotion in the
Pittsburg Postoffice.
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS
Of q Searching Character Will Select Those
to Be Advanced.
OFFICE RECORDS ARE ALSO A FEATURE

Assistant Postmaster Edwards returned
yesterday from the East, where he had been
inspecting the workings of the new merit
system of promotions in postofnces. He
visited the offices at Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore.
in all of which the plan is in successful
operation. Mr.. Edwards desired to make
himself familiar with the method, as it is to
be introduced in the Pittsbrrg postofice at
once --.~- :
This move is the result of an order issued
time ago. 1t was to the effect that on and
after the 31st day of January, 1892, all pro-
motions in postoffices having 30 or more
officers, clerks and other employees, shall be
made upon the basis of an office record to be
kept and on examination to be conducted in
the manner hereafter described, and such
promotion shall be made upon merit and
irrespective, of every other consideration.
The examination shall be uniform for all
fices, and shall include not less than the
following subjects:
How The Trials Are Made.
For those engaged in clerical work-letter
writing, mathematics, accounts, questions
on office work and practical questions in
regard to the postal service generally.
For those engaged in the actual labor OF
distributing and handling mails s-Distribu-
tion to be shown by case examinations, in
cluding knowledge OF connections, and
reading tests, together with such of the sub
tects for clerk examinations. not exceeding
three, as may be determined by the local
examining board.
For stampers-A trial of speed and IegibiI-
fty, together with not more than three of the
subjects on which clerks are examined.
Each of these subjects shall have equal
weight, and the whole shall have weight of
40 points on a scale of 100.
The office records, blanks for which will
shall take into account the following SUBJ
jects: Regularity, ability, habits, appl1ca-
ton, industry. adaptability and health
In each classified postoffice there shall be
a department examining board of five-one
each from the mailing, city delivery, money
ject to the approval of the Postmaster Gen.
eral. This board, under the direction of t he
Postmaster, shall supervise the examina-
tions and records.
Promotions on Merit Only.
In case of vacancy in any non-excepted
grade the examining board shall determine
and report to the postmaster the. person
who, according.to the standard prescribed,
is best fitted to fill the place, and the pro-
motion shall be made BY the postmaster ac-
cordingly.t The decision of the board
shall be based on the examinations
and records mentioned above. The
examinations prescribed by this order
shall in all cases be competitive, and oppor-
tunity to take the same shall be afforded to
all applicants for the next lower grade en-
gagged in the same class of office work, and
to all other applicants who for meritorious
reasons may be specially designated by the
postmaster. The Examining Board shall
review the office records quarterly and re-
port to the postmaster whether any reduc-
tions or promotions ought to be made.
The Examining Board of the Pittsburg
Office is as follows: Albert j. Edwards,
Chairman, executive division; Louis Vier-
heller, Secretary, city division. Geo. B.
Mackey. registry division; G. G. Wagner,
mailing division; E. E. Heinle, money
order division. - -- sff -
''This is the only feature of civil service
plan not heretofore in operation in the
Pittsburg Postofice," said Mr.. Edwards.
SIT will prove the greatest step ever taken
for the betterment of the service"
Another improvement to the Pittsburg
Postofice will be the new stamping ma
chimes, previously described in THE DIS
PATCH. They are expected here this
week, and will be put into use at once.