The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-04
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
A Vast Number of Men md Women
Workers-What They Earn.

LeSlie'S Weekly.
But working for the government is much
like other employment; the good positions
are difficult TO get. Indeed. there are be-
tween 1900 and $4,000 applicants for civil
service examination on the average every
year TO 1000 who actually pass: and out OF
this list only between 1000 and 5000 re-
ceive appointments. In other words, there
are nearly seven applicants to every posi-
ton, and about four or five eligible ones TO
every office open for appointment. This de-
mand for the positions shows that the gov
eminent Is not an unpopular employment
agency, and that there are plenty who arc
willing to serve Uncle Sam in whatever
capacity he assigns them.
Not only men but women, and even boys,
are appointed to positions under the gov
rnment Formerly there was a decided
prejudice against women employees in the
governments service, but to-day there are
upward of 1000 women in the Washington
departments, not including the army and
navy. These are made up chiefly of clerks,
typewriters. matrons. telegraph operators,
stenographers. translators, nurses, teach
ers, and bookbinders. The average ratio of
ment under the civil-servie rules is about
one to six. A few positions are open 10
boys as young as fourteen.
The salaries of employees begin at $500 per
year. That is the lowest paid; but the
salary usually paid TO beginners in Wash
ington is about $500. From this they run
up into the thousands according to the re-
sponsibilities of the position and the duties
demanded of the incumbent. All sorts and
kinds of trades and professions are repre-
sented by the government employees. There
are positions for skilled and unskilled labor;
for experts in every department of science
and industry; and for the highest educated
men and women that the country can pro-
duce. The man with the technical training
can find places under the government where
his highest skill and knowledge may show
to the best advantage, although the high
est commercial rates may not be paid for
them.
While the government pays beginners
well, and has ar average wage scale above
that of. almost any private business con-
Germ, IL does not compete with private cor
pOrations in the higher grades of work.
The man of extraordinary merit or accom-
plishments would not seek a government
position for the highest financial rewards.
The highest position under the government
is not more remunerative than that of many
private ones, and plenty of business men
make two or three times as much as the
ment secures the very best executive, bust
ness and professional talent. Men OF the
highest ability do not hesitate TO yield their
best to the government, receiving in part
payment therefor the honor and glory at
tached 10 the work. and a fine conscious
ness of having served the country's cause.
The ordinary positions which require lit
tie skilled labor 10 fill are always the ones
the most crowded ard. in a sense. the most
difficult to secure. There are scores clam
oring for each such position. AS we go up
the grade the demand is less because the
list of eligibles is smaller. BY the time we
reach the technical positions. where special
talent or education of a rare order is re-
seek the man instead of the latter the gov
eminent position. Men Of scientific train
ing and speciality are needed in the different
departments. and to fnl the positions thus
created with the right sort of men 1t is
necessary 10 hunt UP the men in all parts
OF the country.