The morning times., 1896-12-11
BIG JOB FOR CIVIL SERVICE
Preparing the Examinations for
the Engineering Service.
WILL BE HELD IN JANUARY
Ordeal Is a Hard One and the Com
mission Relieves VIII Equip the
Public Service With High Glass
of Men-Caused by Extension of
the Rules.

| Ihe Civil Service Commission has In its
hands difficult task. There are about
5000 positions in the engineering service
of the government, which, under the recent
| extension OF the rules by President Cleve-
lands order, must be filled upon examiEa-
! Ton.
The requirements are technical to O
high degree, and ii has not been found easy
| TO secure sufficient number Of persons
| VINO can pass the ordeal successfully. In
| fact many have been deferred from en-
tcring into the competition because OF the
| formidable nature OF test.
| This Is the examinations of the second week
in January, announced by The Evening
| Times on Wednesday. The pay OF the
| positions is very good.
STYLE OF EXAMINATION.
The style of examination proposed under
| the present arrangement has been deter
| mined upon by Chief Examiner A. K.
| ServeD after much inquiry and consulta-
| tion with men j n that class Of work Mr..
Server has had long experience in de-
termining such matters. 1t is believed
| that the way is opened for securing a
| satisfactory list of eligibles
The requirements are divided into four
| principal heads. First, the age limit is
from twenty-five to forty-five years, but
/ candidates may be admittedbelow Orabove
| this. For each year in either direction
deduction of from the standard OF 100
will he made.
For example, If man sixty years old
wishes To enter the competition, his stand
| ing in this regard is eighty-five, and this
| constitutes Il weight upon his chances for
| passing.
| Second, the character of the applicant
| will be considered and a rating made upon
the Judgment OF lnc examining OIIICcr-
I'D
| perience OF the applicant, which is de
| tcrmined by the questions to be answered,
| but depends also upon service n the class
| Of work to be undertaken Finally physi-
| cal ability must be vouched for by a
physicians certificate.
MAKING UP THE LIST.
The examination will begin at a. m,
| January II. Those who pass will be
| put upon the books and when q vacancy
| occurs, the highest three names will be
| certified to the appointing officer
1t will be known us the Junior engineer
| examination, and will be divided into the
! inspectors grade and the surveyors grade.
| 1t is expected To provide eligibles for the
| following and similar positions: Inspec-
| tor ovcrseer. survey yor. h yGrogra phcr ,topog-
| rapher transitman leyclman, seXtant OBJ
| server, Computer and recorder. The sub
! jectS which will be used for each grade
are orthogra ply. arithmetic, letter writ
| ing penmanship, use of drawing nstru-
mcnts. use of engineers transit and level,
! and the seXtant.
| For the inspectors grade applicants will
| bc examined in addition on the theory and
| practice of constructions in wood metal
| and masonry on land and in water; and
| the principles of location and construction
| of roads and walks.
THE VARIOUS GRADES
40 g af1tc VviJl
be examined on map making, and the
| theory and practice or typographical and
| photographed surveying. The technical
| part OF these examinations will be given
| a weight OF so per cent. Competitors may
! take either or both grades. Those sue
cessfuly passing both grades will be pre-
| ferred in making certificationS for appoint
| ment.
The positions in the engineer depart
ment at large are distributed over the
| whole country. The qualifications required
| are of a high order and the commission
| desires to encourage as many thoroughly
| qualified competitors to enter the exam
| inauon as possible. While appointments
will usually be made to the lower classes,
| yet applicants should remember that cf-
| fiCicncy in the service will be recognized
| by promotion to the higher positions.
EXamina tions will be given on the date
mentioned at Washington and any-Other
| points convenient 10 applicants where the
| commission has competent boards of cX-
aminers. Applications are to be made by
| letter.