The Washington times., 1901-11-25
DISTRICT OFFICES
UNDER CIVIL SERVICE.
TINE WASTED ON PLACE HUNTERS
Form of Examinations Prescribed
, for Applicants in the Police De-
partment-The Plan Works
satisfactorily.

Among the possibilities of legislation
at the coming session of Congress will
be an act placing appointments in the
District Government under the civil ser
vice regulations. 1t is well known that
the Commissioners desire it, and it is
also known that the matter has been in
formally discussed several times in con-
ferences between the Commissioners and
the District Committees in Congress. The
impression is that such an arrangement
would give relief to the Commissioners
and would result in much better class
of employees.
AS matters stand great portion Of the
time of the Commissioners is taken up
with talking with office seekers. For
every office in the gift of the board there
are cne hundred applicants. These and
their friends have to be seen, and the
stress OF these interviews, the majority
of which must end in nothing, make seri-
Gus inroads upon the time of the Com
missioners. 1t is putting the case none
too strCng to say that the municipal
business is hindered all the time in this
way
Commissioner Ross on Place Hunters
A few evenings ago Commissioner Ross,
in responding to an invitation to speak
to the members of the Citizens North
west Suburban Association, referred to
this matter He stated that the atten-
ton which the Commissioners were called
upon to give to place hunters had he
come a serious menace to their useful
ness as executive officers. Mr.. Ross told
his auditors that if they really wished to
aid the board and to hold up their hands
they should further the effort to place
appointments to municipal offices under
the civil service.
The minds of the Commissioners have
been led to believe in the wisdom Of this
course by the satisfactory workings Of
the system already in operation in the
Police Department. Appointments are
made there under a form of civil service
examination, which has had excellent re-
suits.
Major Sylvester yesterday gave a brief
history of the effort TO establish the sys-
TEN, and described its workings. He said
that the thing had its inception in long
conversation he had with President
Roosevelt when he was Civil Service
Commissioner Major Sylvester said that
he met Mr. Roosevelt one morning at the
\ i H.
began to talk about the benefits of the
civil service, and the possibility of adapt
ing it to the municipal appointments.
Major Sylvester said the talk, which
lasted an hour, made such an impression
on his mind that he determined TO move
in the matter.
Physical Examination for Police.
Accordingly, plan was evolved where
by applicants for positions on the force
were subjected to a careful physical ex-
animation by the Board of Police and
Fire Surgeons, Those passing the
physical examination. he said, were certi-
fed to him by the surgeons.
The next step was the preparation OF
a series of interrogatories. which at first
were put to the applicants by Major Syi-
vester himself These interrogatories
covered writing spelling, the simple prin-
ciples of arithmetic and a little about
geography. such as the location OF the
large cities. and particularly Washing
ton. Then followed q list Of questions
about the City Of Washington, such as
the location of the principal streets, of
the public ana larger private buildings.
Applicants were also questioned upon the
manual and other matters relating to
their duties as policemen. These who
could pass the examination, Major Syl-
yester said were placed upon the eligible
were made as vacancies in the force oc-
Cured.
Major Sylvester explained that such an