Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-07

| the retention from District contractors was in
vested was s2S, 066. sc. During the fiscal year
1892, in settlement Of these accounts, the sum
due the contractors is in excess Of the amour;
realized from the sale of bonds, showing a net
loss Of "a, 2S9. SO. reducing the surplus at the
close of the fiscal year to $23, 777.27.
Attention IL invited TO the fact that the fund
held for the relief OF policemen is being rapidly
ing largely in excess Of the receipts. At the
close Of the fiscal year 1891 the bonds held FOR
| this account amounted TO ga, 200 and at the
close OF the fiscal year 1892 to go, 900, reduc-
| ton Of 81, 200 during the year.
| Detailed information in regard to the affairs
| OF the District OF Columbia viii be found in the
report to be submitted BY the District Commie-
| sioners and by the treasurer Of the United
| States, ex-officio commissioner of the sinking
fund Of the District.
THE WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
Satisfactory progress has been made in the
preparation Of the Treasury Departments con-
| tribution to the government exhibit at the
worlds Columbian exposition. The govern
| ment building on the exposition grounds, con-
| structed under the direction Of the supervising
architect Of the treasury, is approaching com.
pletion and ia now ready for the reception o!
exhibits. Suitable arrangements have been
made for carrying out the customs laws and
regulations respecting the admission Of foreign
goods for exhibition.
PROMOTIONS IN TIE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The establishment, under the Presidents
order, Of an efficiency record, which il the de-
| termining factor in the selection of clerks for
promotion. has tended strongly to secure
punctuality, regular attendance, industry and
accuracy and the ambitious employees have en-
deavored to complete their knowledge of all
matters pertaining TO the Offices in which they
are employed, and to add to their stock OF
academic requirements and general informa-
ton. The ends usually sought by coercive rules
and regulations have. been better attained BY
the rewards offered for fidelity and ability.
The friction first encountered in putting the
new methods into effect has been largely over
come and ratings by the chiefs OF divisions are
practically equitable between the several
divisions.
The experience Of the department in making
selections for places excepted from the competi-
tive examination induced my predecessor to
subject each candidate for the position of spe-
cial agent to an examin alton as test of fitness
found the application of the principle to be
beneficial to the service and continued it; and
for the same reason have applied during the
year a like test Of fitness to candidates for the
position Of chief of division with equally good
results.
So far as can be learned the promotions with
few exceptions, have been approved by the
chiefs and clerks of the bureaus in which they
have been made. The head Of the department
has been relieved of the opportunities for pro-
motion from those outside the classified service
and from those within. The hope is entertained
that the present rules, with few modifica-
tons, will eventually place promotions wholly
on the basis Of merit, sscertained from the
records of faithfulness and efficiency of the
clerks made from day TO day. Attention is in
vited to the report Of the examiner, to be found
in the appendix.
The several reports Of the heads Of offices and
bureaus are herewith transmitted, and the Sec
rotary desires to express his appreciation Of the
valuable service rendered 10 him By the officers
and employees of this department in the transao.
ton Of the public business.
CHARLES FOSTER, Secretary Of the Treasury.