The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
Twenty City Employees Want
Higher Positions.
seJrcrEo FlREMEN PROTEST.
a~-ael Horne, as Spokesman, In
s,tres of Secretary Grout Why
Thejr Applications Were Refused
Must Communicate with the
COmmission - Questions Asked
Candidates Cover a Wide Range.

rventy employees of the city want to
- promoted to higher positions, and took
~ specal examinations before the civil
service commission yesterday at the eoun-
iii chamber The examinations were con-
ended In all cases except some OF the po-
icenen, who will finish this afternoon.
The delay II caused by the night work
they are doing.
The routine OF the proceedings was
somewhat disturbed yesterday morning by
The advent OF a few members of the fire
department whose applications to take
the promotion tests were rejected by the
commission. They selected Samuel H.
Horne lieutenant of chemical company
No g. as their spokesman. He marched
10 the desk OF the secretary of the COM
mission when tho examinations were In
Orogress and asked why the applications
were refused. Secretary Grout responded
that he had nothing 10 say at that time.
and that any communication the firemen
might wish to make would be considered
BY the board This closed the incident.
Those taking the examinations were the
following
Fire epartment--Lieutenant wishing
10 be captains, George NJ. Mantor. J, @.
Nehrbas. Richard OIeson, C.. c. Graham
ana W. ]. Elliott; pipemen for ieuten-
ancfes, William J. Carr, James II. Wal
lace II. r.. Ross, George Maggs, f. II.
Hergert and j. G. Murphy; engine driver
TO be engineer, w. 8. Hubbard.
Police ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to captain
cies, w. F. Larbscher and ID. r. Willard;
patroimen TO sergeants, NJ. 4. Powers and
George Leighton.
observation-disclosures McAliister. as
sistant secretary OF the board of public
works. for the position Of secretary: II. II.
Thomas, acting street and sewer inspec-
tor. for franchise inspector. ]. c. Jeffrey.
transitman, for assistant city engineer;
Hugo p. Kuhnke page, to the position OF
desk clerk ut the public library.
As soon as the papers are all submitted
they will be gone over and marked by the
secretary, and then by each mcfp--- ~
the commission, after which, In joint ses-
sion the board will take formal action to
ascertain the standing OF the various APP
plieants. This win require two or three
weeks. Mr.. Grout says.
wide Range of Questions.
The questions asked by the commission
In these tests cover in a general way the
required knowledge. In the minds OF ths
members, that should be possessed by per-
sons holding such positions. The secfe-
tary said yesterday the intention was 10
make the questions as practical as possi-
Bile without any OF the useless require
msnts that are said to be followed by
some civil service commissions In other
cities. and 80 arranged, as far as possible.
In the limited number ana space, as 10
cover the general ground thoroughly.
Applicants for positions as captains In
the fire department were asked what
made tho pressure In chemical engines.
and II they used up the matter and had
10 go 10 a drug store 70 replenish their
supply, what articles they would pur-
chase; what power raised an aerial ladder
and what should be done II. when IL was
half raised IL became tangled ia the
wires. general questions covering the
alarm system. where they are located
how what companies would respond to
given signals how to lay hose, etc.
Those wishing TO be lieutenants must
know how to put out gasoline FIRE in
was In progress before the apparatus was
at hand what fire alarm boxes commence
with g. whore they ara and what ap-
hrst.
Candidates for positions as captains and
sergeants OF police responded 70 similar
questions. except that the latter could
omit any three questions from the list
they wished TO. The more important OF
the queries were tho following Define
all classes OF crime. and tell what are
punishable by Imprisonment In the gov
eminent or state penitentiars, or the
county or city jail define the boundaries
Of the streets designated north, south,
east or west. classify a long list Of spect-
fed offensas according to misdemeanors
and felonies: when must a Justice Issue
. summons instead of a warrant OF Arrest
How long IL a warrant In force7 II an
officer arrests a man. may ne iberate him
upon learning OF his innocence. without
takihE Hifn 70 tHs HAhtlVhs thH ~ PtFa'R
the right 10 know At the time OF his ar
rest the cause of itF
All About Franchises.
The franchise Inspector must know
what franchises are held by corporations
IN Seattle. what dangers are caused by
the operation of cable and electric cars
what Is done TO avert accidents, and what
more could be- done. the advantages and
disadvantsges Of underground condlits
for electric wires gas pipes, etc, aud how
TO write specifications for such things as
cement 10 he delivered TO the city fer
water reservoir
The ether candidates We're tested In gen
eraI knowledge such as would be needed
In the positions for which they applied
must have general knowledge of
ordinary mathematics, the powers OF the
board. and matters pertaining 10 the is
sHanee 90 contracts. how % handle re-
utions. etcs tho assistant city engineer
must have thorough practical knowledge
especially IN the higher forms. Are depart
meat engineers must know the workings
81 fre engines and machinery in their
department.. etc.
4 desk clerk at the library should have
= kno~ledee OF popular literature, az the
scutter'' system Of book numbering. tho
names ami places 81 publication OF ten
magazines, Ave week.-Mrs. and ten daily
newspapers. all prominent ia the United
states, three great epic poems ard the
names and nationalities of the authors.
And the authors Of various standard
weFkA given IS title or designated hy
them
TIE regular biennial examinations "
candidates Tor city positions will he held
ate IN March and they will have until
Match IL To tile their applications.