Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-05
THE CENSUS OFFICE
Terrors of the Examination Are Now
Lessened.
ORAL MATHEMATICS ELIMINATED
All Applicants Must Submit to The
Ordeal.
PROBABLE APPORTIONMEN

| Examinations for positions in the census
| have lost much of their terror, and appli-
cants undergo the ordeal much better than
| they did a week or so ago.
All examinations are ordeals for some.
| and each examination day finds some too
nervous to do entire justice to themselves
Beyond the fact that test of their fitness is
| going on there is little to annoy. Examiner
Powell has profted well by the expert
! ence of the past and inspires confidence by
| his Kindly expressions and assurances of a
desire to assist. He Is untiring in his at
tention, and before the examination be-
| gins he makes a short talk, giving explicit
instructions regarding the examination in
general, and before each task illustrates on
the blackboard the method of solution.
| This is supplemented by a personal expla-
nation If the applicant desires 1t.
Oral Mathematics Eliminated
The only Objectionable feature of the ex-
animation heretofore was the oral mathe-
mates. To put down in a moment a given
per cent of number in column for addi-
ton was the one test which brought con-
sternation. 1t came alike to all. The
brightest minds refused to remain tract
able lmbued with the idea that a mistake
eitement. After a time it was manifest
that the test was too severe, and now all
oral mathematics have been eliminated
me only oral work given now is in En-
sHsh' and this is merely dictation. Strange
as II may seem, more people fail in this
pfanch OF the examination than any other
IN marking this test, spelling. penman-
snip ana correctness in following dictation
are considered. Each sentence is repeated
several times and ample time given for the
work, yet many fail.
Professor Carl c. PIehn of the University
OF California was visitor at the exam
iliihS room thlS morning and watched with
heea interest the method of examination
ne was astoniShed at the simplicity of the
teSt, oppressed surprise at the great assist
s.Hce rendered by Examiner Pow III and
said he wondered how auv one coi,Id faiI
He said, as he was leaving, that those Who
dld not pass certainly had no business in
the government service
w hllo every assistance is rivar ,4,,r;r.y
the examination, the greatest latitude iS
USED IN the marking of the papers and no
on could object TO the system OF course
mathematics count the most in the pon
erat average. Fifty per cent is a1I0++oJ 70
thls, while English counts 20 Der cent on5
geography, government and history ~ nor
cent in the averages -
All Must Take the Examination
DOES everybody have to take the exam
'hanohf is the question asked more than
any other.
Inc rep-y Is the same in every case To
ger an appointment in the census one must
pass lie examination as a condition prece-
~. NJ, lhere are no exceptions. Director
merriam made this rule after long deIihera
Ton and has not deviated in single case
one OF the highest officials in the Tnitnd
states asked for the appointment of a GER
tam man. The man received the position.
out ne passed the examination first An
other rule which has been adopted and
which has been strictly adhered to. relates
to re-examinatons. After one has faffa6
the rule is no re-examination will be nar
ihltted for three months. This was found
70 De absolutely necessary to enable the
department to conduct the examinations
aiohg some weil-defined plan, and give
every one a chance to be examined.
w nat is me percentage of failures?' is
dnotner question that has been frequently
asked. Examiner Powell told a reporter
OF Inc star today that up to date so per
cent had failed to attain the requisite ner-
Sehtase OF %: AS rule 81 examined
every other day, and already the director
has an eligible list of several hundred. And
mere Is another question: most important
one TO all who pass: When will appoint
mentS be made?'
The answer to that is NOT very satisfac-
tory, for Just how soon they will be selected
to assist Uncle Sam is not known 1t NAV
De sa1eiy said. however, that the great
mass of clerks will not be put to work for a
year There will be small drafts from time
to time from the eligible list but they will
be but small proportion of the thousands
VIII d! { ~ De employed.
Residents of Washington are bv no means
the only ones being examined. Applicants
VINO reside east of the Ohio river are being
called to Washington. The department en-
deaVors to SO arrange 1t that they who come
from distance can be examined at once
and only speld one day in the city
ADpOrtiOnment of Appointments.
While the purpose of the director in the
matter of appointments is not known IL is
beileVed to be his purpose to apportion the
appointments among the states. Such a di-
vision 1t is thought will be equitable and
all political parties will receive considera-
tlon, this being the purpose of the law
There has been considerable adverse COM
ment upon the stated purpose of the di-
rector to recognize the democrats in the
matter OF appointments. 1t is stated in de-
tense OF this action that Congress intended
there should be a division and the percent
age was agreed upon between the members
OF the committee having the census bill in
charge.
IN the matter of the appointment of the
supervisors 1t is expressly stipulated in the
act that they shall be appointed with the
consent of the Senate. The Interpretation
or TINS is that the senators of the different
states are to agree upon the Supervisors
Where the senators are democrats il is not
TO be presumed they will nominate republi-
cans. To obviate all disagreements in this |
matter Director Merriam has notified all
the senator's and representatives to submit
thelf candidates, or rather their choices for
the positions. When these are agreed upon
the list will be made out and sent to the
PRESIDENT, who in turn sends their names to
the Senate in the form of nominations
Thus it will be seen the Senate having al |
ready agreed upon these, will pass them at |
once, and the practical work of taking the
twelfth census will proceed