The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-23
CIVIL SERVICE.
Commissioners Have Many knotty
Questions to Answer.

questions 10 Answer
The civil service commission met at the
city hall last night. to pass upon applica-
tons for positions on the police and fire
departments. The board finds that num-
beers of men in the police and fire depart
ments are unduly exercised over the difd-
Guilty OF the examinations. One OF the
commissioners in speaking last night Of
the questions asked, said: They are
proportiored to the intelligence and educa-
ton required In the positions for which
they are examined, and il man does not
have to use a particular kind of knowl-
edge IN his duties. he viii be asked no
question on that subject"
Chief Cook sent in q communication
asking IL the experience in service OF the
present members of the FIRE department
would give them sufficient percentage to
pass. provided they fail in scholarship.
My reason for making this inquiry" he
wrote, SIS that there are several OF the
best and most proficient firernen in the de-
partment who have very limited educa-
rions and they are very anxious to know
If scholarship is going to be the most es-
sential qualification for the fire service"
The commission could not decide upon
any exact proportion to be represented by
proficiency and ability as gained by expe-
rience, but 1t will have due weight in the
examination. Numbers Of the questions
perience would be Of great importance.
1t was reported TO the commission that
Driver Samuel Hamilton and Officer Wiles,
OF the police department. are sick and fear
they will be unable to take the examina-
ton. The commission will put off the exam
nations of these two men until May or
8. but 1t Is necessary that they should hand
In an application at least six days before.
After some discussion 1t was decided
that If man who has lost his naturali-
cation papers could produce a certificate
from the city clerk showing he is a reg
istered voter it would be considered sufii-
cient evidence of his citizenship.
The standing on both the physical and
mental examination will be averaged for
the general standing of an applicant.
Schram thought since the physical exam
nation either renders a man fit or not fit,
the grading as to his physical condition
should not be taken into account in max
ing up the general average.
The secretary was instructed to call on
the chief of the fire department for a re-
port giving an estimate Of the relative
merit of the men IN the department with
out reference to official position.
When applications were opened toward
the close Of the meeting many discrepan-
cics were observed between the state
ments OF the applicants and the vouch-
ers. In many cases where the former said
he sometimes took as high as three or four
glasses OF liquor, the latter stated that
he knew the applicant was not addicted
TO the use Of liquor.
The phrase mot to my knowledge
which appears on a number OF vouchers
In answer to questions regarding the ap-
phcants' habits, Is objected to by the
commission as lacking signification. They
think IT really means II don't know" or
Il don't like to tell"
In an application for chief Of police, in
answer 10 the question. What special
qualifications do you possess?" 1t says: II
speak Chinook and some Chinese"
The commission will meet again next
Saturday night.