The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-03
UNCLE SAM SHORT OF
SHORTHAND MEN.

Savannah stenographers are inter-
ested in an article in the Washington
Evening Star. in which ii says
"A dearth of good, male stenogra-
pliers prevails in the departments of
the governmental service. According
to different bureau chiefs the need for
capable clerks who can take dictation
and write accurately on the typewrit-
er is the most urgent and portentious
demand now felt in. the service, but
such clerks are not to be had at the
salaries now offered. The trouble is
so acute that one bureau chief the
First Assistant Postmaster General,
has sent to Porto Rico for two clerks
who have qualified as stenographers.
ut is stated at the office of the Civil
Service Commission that this condition
exists generally throughout the depart
ments. 1t would be remedied some
what, say the civil service commits
sioners, if the heads of departments
were willing to accept woman stenogra-
pliers. But the demand for men is
insistent, and the commission is now
entirely unable to meet it. Within
two weeks the list of eligibles from
the last examination will be prepared
and the supply of male stenographers
and typewriters thus obtained is ex-
pected to relieve the situation greatly
1t seems to be the general opinion
however, that this relief will be ONLY
temporary, and the commission is now
considering several extraordinary steps
for obtaining an adequate supply of
such clerks.
1--WE have applied for the certifica-
ton of stenographic eligibles every
month for the past year. Sometimes
we have been informed there We're
none to be had. AT other times we
were given lists of a few names, most
OF them being applicants who had Just
worked through with the necessary 10
per cent. Such clerks are worth COM
paratively little to the department
They occasion the greatest confusion
by taking dictation half accurately
and by writing their letters three or
four times to get them right. The &C.
casiona1 good workman disdains the
salary offered by the government
Why should a man Who can earn from
$1,000 to $500 outside of the depart
ment accept 5000 for a place in the
postal service? When appointed at
$500 he would find himself in compe-
tition with lis other clerks in the ru-
raj free delivery service at the same
salary, and all above him in line of
promotion. 1t takes some experience
to make a stenographer. No man can
ACelA II AZ q ilJliiiA- ilG uCSQS
a thorough knowledge of English and
much too broad a general education to
sell his ability at any such salary as
5000.
''All these considerations are operat-
ing now to produce something of a
famine in the government service. We
simply cannot get good workmen to
write our letters. Here in the first as
sistants office we are put to the ne
cessity of sending to Porto Rico for
two stenographers. 1t is no certain
thing they will come, but we will send
for them just the same. If some of
the young men and women who are
trying TO get into libraries and other
such institutions would only devote
themselves to becoming good stenog-
raphers they would find instant en-
ployment at good salaries
Savannah stenographer of many
years experience. who was shown the
article. says that its reference to the
new existing objections with regard to
the examinations and compensation
paid, or. at least. offered, the first
class men who pass the Civil Service
examinations, are literally true. How
ever, it may be said to Savannah's
credit that the ordinary amanuensis,
as well as expert secretary, are alike,
fairly we'll paid. Many people. not
thoroughly acquainted Win the facts,
imagine that good shorthand writer's
are easily obtained. but in this they
are wrong. Even though the CONNER
cial colleges seem to be fairly alive
with students, many never finish their
course. while others. after taking their
first position, quickly realize that a
successful stenographic' career requires
as a foundation q thorough knowledge
OF the English language, diction ana
ffeUI & Rffnsa 10 t-nfI
a liberal pro-business experience. The
next Civil Service examination TO be
held in savannah win be the spring
OF 1908.