Evening star., 1897-05-12
Revision Of Civil Service Examination
Questions.
AIMING 10 ASCERTAIN FYTNES
Tests Bear More on the Work to
Be Done.
LESS OF SCHOOL BOOKS

The civil service commission is doing all
in. its power to overcome the widespread
idea that Its examinations include such q
scholastic test as to bar from appointment
In the government service any man who Is
not fresh from college. Since Chief Exam
tner A r. Serven has had charge of the
examinations of the commission the effort
has been made to make these examinations
cover only questions calculated to show
fitness for the work to be done. Whatever
may have been the condition during the
early years of the reform, 1t Is declared
that the tests now applied TO applicants
are thoroughly practical. and deal with no
question not relating to the duties of the
place to be filled. ----
Afraid of the Examination.
The idea that the questions given appli-
cants for positions under che civil service
are purely scholastic has done much to
prevent men not fresh from their books
from applying for examination Not long
ago a graduate of one Of the first schools
In New York state called at the Offices of
the commission. This man was known as
one OF the finest draught5men in the coun-
try. He had won prizes IN severe competi-
tions. and had a reputation for his particu-
lar kind of work that had made him known
throughout the country among men who
employed the character of skill that he
possessed. He was asked how 1t happened
that he had never taken a civil service
examination, and was told that the gov
ernment. in its anxiety to get a high de-
gree OF skill. frequently paid $4,000 or 5000
for ship draughtsmen.
Oh replied the man who had won dis
tfnction In his profession, IT couldn't pass
civil service examination. While l am
believe 1 could pass the mathematical test
given by the commission. While at college
was never especially successful in mathe-
matics, and my algebra and geometry are
somewhat deficient"
The daughtsman was toll that he had q
wrong impression -esarding the require
ments, and that they related solely to his
ability to do the kind Of work for which
he would be employed. He was shown the
kind of examination which had been given
draughtsmen a year ago, and expressed
great surprise that therS were no catch
questions In mathematics. He said IL he
only to the practical work he would be
expected to do he would certainly have
taken 1t.
As the Navy Department has been unable
to secure sufficient number of fine
draugitsmen 1t Is realized that this false
impression has acted as an injury to the
service.
Criticism of the Commission.
This impression of the impractical char
acter Of the examinations, it Is said. Is
due to considerable extent to remarks
frequently made on the floor of the Senate
and House of Representatives. and to state
ments that are put out by those who are
opposed to the merit system in any form.
In some Instances the criticisms of the
commissions examinations are true, but
they do not refer to present conditions.
Questions that were asked during the early
days of the commission are still being quot
ed as samples of the character of the ex-
aminations.
: Not long ago three men were appointed to
places by the civil service commission and
none of them could either read or write.
They were to be mechanics. and the tests
given them were based solely upon the re-
qurements of The work which they were
to be called upon to do. One of the old
guments in favor of a scholastic test for
men in all grades of labor was that an in
telligent man could do better work than an
ignorant man. This idea is not contradict
ed, but 1t is regarded as safe to rely upon
the test of practicable work. 1t is assum-
ed, however. that the more intelligence
man has the better showing he will make
in these tests. Now and then 1t will be
found that questions submitted to appli-
cants are not wholly practical, but the con-
stant effort Of the commission Is to elm
mate them.
Surprise of the UNIFORMED.
1t Is said that many senators and repre-
sentatives who favor a merit system, but
who are opposed to the civil service COM
missions work on the ground that it re-
suits In giving places to schoolmasters
rather than to practical men, have ex-
pressed surprise at the character of the
questions now given for various places In
the classified service. In many instances.
where 1t is not possible to test a mails
qualifications by questions samples of his
work are submitted. together with a record
of his experience. and selection Is based
on merit shown in that way.
The bureau Of engraving and printing
now wants an engraver of vignettes. The
having various applicants submit samples
of their work. together with their profess
sional record. They will not be asked to
answer any question which has no applica-
tion to the work which they will perform.
THEY PLANTED TREES.