The times., 1899-04-05
CENSUS BUREAU RULES.
Director Merrinm's Method Govern
Ing the Making of Appointments

Director Merrinm's Method Govern
Ing the Making OF Appointments.
The following rules were yesterday pro-
mulgated by the Director of the Census,
to which all applicants above the grade of
laborers will be required to comply.
Director Merriam made the appointment
yesterday of Samuel C. Dunham. statis-
tical expert, in the department of labor,
to take the census of northern Alaska.
The rules for appointment are as fol-
lows:
First.-Examinations for appointment in
the Census Office Will not be competitive.
ANY applicant who earns marking rot
less than IS will be included in the list of
eligibles.
Second.-The act to provide for taking
the Twelfth and subsequent censuses, ap-
proved March 3, 1899 declares that no ex-
animation shall be required in the case
OF enumerators or special agents, nor of
employees below the grade of skilled labor
ers at $500 per annum
Third.-Each applicant admitted to ex-
animation will be notified of the time and
place OF holding the same, and viii! be fur
nished with card OF introduction to tle
examiner, which must be signsd by the ap-
plicant, in order that he may be identified
by his or her signature.
Fourth.-All applicants for appointment
who may be directed to appear before the
examiner will be examined in the follow
ing subjects: Orthography, copying, pen
manship, arithmetic, clements of the Eng
lish language, letter writing, elements of
geography history and Government of the
United States, and practical tests
F1fth.-The character of the examination
Is indicated below: Orthography-Twen-
ty-five simple words in ordinary use;
twenty-five words slightly above average
difficulty. Copying-Copying from plain
copy ten printed lines, 10 be copied in ap-
plicant's handwriting. Writing from die
tation, the same Penmanship-Marked on
legibility, neatness, and general appear
ance. Observation-Disclosures rules.
fractions, percentages, ratios, and aver
ages. Letter writing-Letter OF not less
than 200 words, to be written to the Direc-
tor of the Census on any assigned or vol
untary topic, to test applicants knowledge
OF simple English composition and general
intelligence. Geography, history, and gov
ernment OF the United States-Such ques-
tions will be asked as persons of ordinary
intelligence and information are supposed
to be generally capable of answering
Practical tests-Applicants for appointment
will be given an opportunity TO exhibit the
degree of their familiarity with the punch
ing machines and electrical counting ma
chimes used in the Eleventh Census; also
to demonstrate their ability to make cal
cuations by the aid of tables OF logarithms,
the slide rule, etc, and to show familiarity
with the arithnometer, or other adding
and calculating machines. For proficiency
in any OF these practical tests separate
marks will be given, which will admit the
applicant 10 n list of extra eligibles.
Sixth.-Applicants for appointment as
stenographers and typewriters will be re-
quired TO pass supplemental examination,
which will fairly test their abilities for
special work. In the case of typewriters,
literary ability will receive consideration,
as well as manual dexterlty in the use OF
the machine. The examination of type
writers will consist of exercises from die
tation, copying. tabulating and transcrib-
ing from rough draft. The examination of
stenographers will consist of exercises from
dictation taken in short hand and written
out in long hand, particular attention be-
ing paid TO the rate OF speed and the ac-
curacy of the copy.
Seventh.-For the purpose of marking
the questions and exercises will be divid-
ed into three groups, of which the first will
include arithmetical calculations, the Sec
ond orthography and penmanship. and the
third general questions, designed TO test
the information and intelligence of the ap-
plicant. The weight allotted to the ques-
tions OF the first group will be so; TO those
of the second, 30, and TO those of the third,
20. Each average will be multiplied by
the numDer indicating the relative weight
of any subject or class and the sum of
the products will be divided by the sum of
the relative weights, the quotient will de-
termine the candidates standing in the
examination.
Eighth.-The time allowed for each sub
feet of examination will be specified on the
examination papers, and in no case will the
time allowed for the entire examination
exceed six hours.
Ninth-The examination papers of each
applicant will be retained and filed with
his application.
Tenth-A card catalogue will be pre-
pared of the applicants examined, in the
order OF their standing as determined by
their marking, for the use OF the Director
of the Census.
Eleventh.-Any applicant who receives n
marking of less than 70 viii be placed in
the list of rejected applicants and will be
ineligible for appointment in the office All
others will be placed in the list of eligi-
bles
Twelfth.-No applicant who shall fail 10
pass the first examfSation will be allowed
to present himself again for examination
until after at least ninety days shall have
elapsed since the former examination. and
must obtain special permission of the Di-
rector of the Census, authorizing him so
TO apppear.