Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-18
NOT ON ELIGIBLE LIST
BAFFLING EGG PROBLEM BEFORE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
Geological Survey Needs a Hen Of
Regular and Reliable Habits
What Shall Be DoneP

civil service commission some time ago.
1t tells its own story of the difficulties and
embarrassments with which civil service
labors are surrounded. The writer, who Is
at the head Of an important government
bureau, states his case in the following
form:
Sir: For use In making albumen coating
in our photo-lithographic work we are in
need Of an occasional egg. I have frequent
ly advanced the money for this purpose.
but seeing no real good reason for assuming
such expenditures. have Of late compelled
the man who uses the egg to go and buy
his egg. Quite little objection has been
made by the photo-lithographic expert
against depicting his purse for this purpose.
I'm making a requisition on the Interior
Department for an egg we always expert
ence much delay In getting authority to
purchase from the lowest bidder and the
goods, owing to the methods Of purchase,
are not always in prime condition 1t would
seem WISE therefore, to take some definite
steps in the matter. 1 would respectfully
ask therefore, that the question of employ
ing hen for the purpose set forth be now
taken up for consideration.
Il am not sure that there is in existence
at the office of the civil service commission
a register of eligibles of skilled labor class,
specialty-eggs But | presume that, as
has been our experience with the commits
sion, there Is no such list of eligibles ready
consideration. we are III lInIn6Gldt6
need of an egg. ...-
If we wait for the commission to adver-
tise the eXamination-hold it--mark up the
papers-reguate the apportionment as to
states and the District Of Columbia-certify
list of eligibles-and submit the papers to
us for selection of a competent iayer-some
delay will ensue. l would ask. therefore
that be allowed to employ hen under the
thirty day emergency cause-just as am
now employing Mr. Assistant Map Printer
whose successor, by the way, has not yet
been certified.
II am~not sure as to the best terms to
enter into-whether to employ this hen on
piece work or on per diem basis. Prob
ably the former would be the better way,
provided it be left discretionary with me to
discontinue her services at the time when
it is found that she fails to live up to the
conditions Of her contract.
Experience Needed.
1.-The question of selecting the proper
party is important and should not be left
entirely in the hands of the commission.
1 do not deem it advantageous, in this in
stance to make selection from the students
or apprentice register, because a large
batch of photo-lithographic material would
doubtlessly be ruined If material be accept
ed from inexperienced sources Of supply.
III it should be decided to accept my
suggestion in this matter, l would ask that
be furnished a good laying hen without
further loss of time.
Il hope that in the competitive examdna-
ton, which will no doubt be insisted upon
by the commission. and which must follow
shortly, 1t be made condition that the con-
testants be females OF the chicken kind;
and that ducks, geese and other egg-bear-
ing fowls, not classed as hens in the COM
mon acceptance of the term be declared In
eligible for examination and excluded from
the tourney.
''Probahly-as in former cases-the COM
mission II ins~t upon my submitting a Sc
ries of practical questions. l am anxious to
cooperate with the commission to the full
extent of my powers. but 1 cleave strongly
to the opinion that the rating for experience
should. in this examination, be given weight
over all other considerations. Certificates
from most recent employers would suffice.
especially If the commission would take
decided stand IN the matter of quantity and
quality Of the services rendered.
Regularity, Not Quantity.
"There are laying hens and laying hens.
Experience has proven to me that too
much dependence should not be placed upon
recent apparently endless successful efforts.
The hen of the United States geological
survey should be capable Of a steady daily
output. One egg per day Is all we ask, but
there should be no question about Its de-
livery on time.
I'VE cannot afford to govern our print
ing of the Indian territory maps by the
idlosyncracies of a fowl 1 learn quite re-
Gently that work has been begun on the
survey of the sheets of the Chickasaw
Nation. In anticipation of a pressure for
printing work from that direction 1 felt it
consistent with good administration to take
the steps treated on above, and by close
attention to details 1 hope to be able to
issue the maps promptly.
1T is important, however, that the civil
service commission act with much decision
If you deem 1t best to see Mr.. Proctor
president of the commission personally in
advance Of our written request for assist
ance. it might be as we'll to impress upon
him the need for great discernment IN
selection in this case.
IF for any reaSon-natural or otherwise
the incumbent Of the position about to be
created should be In that delicate condition
preceding the setting period, and suddenly
cease laying, the whole purpose of the ex-
animation will have miscarried we will
have lot Of dead wood ON our hands, new
certifcation will have to be made, possibly
a new examination will follow. The ccm-
missioners will expect of me new set OF
practical questions (the former ones hav-
ing been divulged) and the work of the
engraving division will be seriously af-
fected.
Il would therefore. urge prompt action
in this important matter.
Very respectfully,