The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-27
ON U. S. PAY ROLL.
1t Takes Hard Work
and Patience to
Get There.
LOCAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS.
Requirements Alike for City
and Federal
Office.
LOCAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS.

1t axes a long time to get your name
on Uncle Sans pay roll.
AT. least this is the experience of a
great majority of the men who take
examinations for positions as carriers
and clerks at the local post office.
The annual examination which takes
place in November is not for distant
and already number of aspirants for
the government service are putting the
finishing touches on what may be con-
sidered thorough course of study
along lines preparatory to the examina-
tons. From the present outlook about
the same number will take examina-
tons this year as in every year past
since the civil service custom was es-
tablished.
"Many are called, but few are chos-
en- might well be taken as the motto
of those who take the examinations.
Comparatively few appointments are
made in comparison with the number
who try for positions, and some of the
men who go before the examiners an
aminations for years. The prospect that
an appointment may come eventually
serves to keep the aspirant in hope,
however, and some of the faces have
grown familiar through long associa-
ton.
Last year So applicants took the ex
aminations. OF this number nine failed
to pass and of the remainder seven
have received appointments The AZ APP
Hoo 1fc ell
nations are on the waiting list and
eligible to appointment according to
marking. Those who are on the wait
ing list may be appointed at any time
during the L months ensuing from the
date of receipt OF their standing in the
examination. At the end of this time,
If they persist another examination is
necessary, to place the applicant on the
eligible list. Or, as some of the boys at
the post office express it, You're name
is written in sawdust for one year, and
at the end of that time the sawdust is
swept out"
Examinations We're formerly taken
semi-annually, but now the event is of
annual occurrence, taking place in the
month of November although it is fire.
quently the case that a mans marking
is not determined until the following
month of May.
JAMES w. y. w. GuIldIn ana
George S. Maynard of the local post
Office force constitute the local board
of examiners for United States civil
service, and act as assistants to 1.-The
examiner sent out by the department
in Washington.
The examinations are intended to
bring out the candidates knowledge of
spelling, arithmetic, letter writing pen
manship and geography of the United
States, and include exercises in copy
ing and reading addresses. This exer-
else, which seems simple in itself, is an
essential qualification
The exercise consists of the reading
of twenty-five cards. on each Of which
is written a name and an address. As
soon as convenient during the day,
each competitor is taken aside for this
exercise. If the reading is completed
in liz minutes, the competitor receives
100 for speed, a proportionate deduc-
ton being made for time consumed in
excess of ~ minutes. If the reading
consumes minutes, the competitor re-
ceives only 60 for speed; and if the
reading is not completed at the eXpira-
ton of minutes, the competitor is
stopped and a proportionate deduction
made from go for each card not read.
Speed and accuracy have equal weight
in determining the mark on the exer-
else. Each name ana address on a caro-
must be read in full without abbrevia-
ton. If an address or part of an ad-
dress is Incorrectly read and read the
second time, the second reading viii be
ignored, and the competitor will simply
lose time by repeating. Every error,
abbreviation, or omission is noted on
the sheet by the examiner.
The applicant is obliged to pass a
physical examination as well. Carriers
must be q years old or over and less
than 40, while clerks are eligible at the
age of IS. They must also be not less
than feet and inches tall and weigh
not less than 125 pounds. Persons can
not receive an appointment at the pres
ent time who suffer any of the follow
ing Affections: Deaf mutes, bunch
backs, defective hearing, sight or
speech, blind or blind in one eye, one
armed or one-legged, or those having
crippled arms or legs, and those suf-
fering from asthma, consumption or
| severe hernia.
Candidates who are on the eligible
list have a chance to reap a slight pc
cuniary reward once in four years,
when the mail on all lines of railroads
is weighed during the first 80 days in
the year in order to get at an approx