Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-14
CIVIL SERVICE LABORS
Nearly $4,000 Persons Ex-
amined in the Past Year.
LOCAL APPOINTMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT OF CHIEF Elk
AMINER sERvEN.
Opportunities for Appointments Are
Many-439 Examinations for
Philippine Positions.


Chief Examiner A. r. Server of the civil
| service commission today submitted to the
members of that commission his annual
report for the fiscal year ended June 30 last.
The paper is chiefly to be noted for series
Of comprehensive tables indicating the re-
suits of the examinations conducted, nearly
$4,000 in number but its widest interest will
rest, no doubt on a statement Of "opportu-
mites for appointment" which has almost
the force of an official announcement. The
report follows in part:
I'm this period 4S,69S competitors were
examined OF these, 21 OBS were for the
departmental branch of the service, OF
whom 1918 passed and 5,249 failed; 3,433
were for the custom houses, of whom 2,S56
passed and 81 failed; 449 were for the in
ternal revenue offices, of whom 252 passed
and 1877 failed; 17O9 were for the force Of
the public printer of whom l. 554 passed
and 1J5 failed, and 20 sol were for appoint
ment in the different classified post Offices
of whom 1919 passed and S,152 failed.
There were 252 persons already in the clas-
sified service, who were examined for trans
fer, of whom 173 passed and 70 failed.
There were 321 persons examined for pro-
motion, of whom 1853 passed and 1853 fa lied
Making total of 1903 persons who were
examined for the classified service, either
for original appointment, promotion or
transfer. of whom 1881 passed and 14572
failed.
During this period 166 persons were ex-
amined for the District of Columbia ser
vice, of whom 40 passed and III failed
and 439 We're examined for service under
the Philippine commission, of whom 1863
passed and go failed. This is an increase
of more than per cent over the total num-
Der examined in the previous year, which
was 6,6O2.
During the past year less than 20 per
cent of those examined passed, while during
the previous year slightly more than 70 per
cent of those examined We're successful.
IN examining so large number of COM
petitors 1t Is not surprising that some of
them attempt to secure an increase in
standing through improper methods. Be-
cause of this the commission has endeav-
ored as far as possible to compel the COM
petitors to understand that such attempts
are certain Of detection, and early in the
year, in order that every competitor might
! nave no possible excuse for not under
standing the rigid regulations Of the COM
mission in this respect, special form Of
warning was prepared and printed on
blotters furnished by the commission TO be
used by the competitors in the written ex-
amtnations, in addition to the other means
previously employed. The result of this
EFFORT has been very satisfactory, as during
the year but sixty-ive cases occurred. near
ly all of which were confined to the earlier
part of the period.
Opportunities for Appointment
"As the chief examiner is very frequently
asked to suggest what examinations offer
the best opportunities for appointment, the
following is included In this report for the
information Of the public:
For males, perhaps the best opportuni-
ties are offered through the stenography
ana typewritlng examinations. During
several years past all men who have be-
come eligible in both stenography and
ments, except those who have placed the
minimum salary which they are willing
to accept a so large figure as to preclude
them from appointment The usual en-
trance salaries for these positions range
from 5000 to 1920 per annum, though rare
ly being less than $720 per annum Because
OF the great demand for stenographers and
typewriters in the government service
this examination is given twice year.
The bookkeeper examination, usually
given once year, furnishes good oppor-
tunity for qualified bookkeepers to enter
the service, and for some time past about
% per cent Of the male eligibes from this
examination have received appointments,
at salaries ranging from $72O to 81 600 per
annum.
The examination for aid in the coast
and geodetic survey, which requires fair
knowledge of higher mathematics, mathe-
NAUTICAL astronomy, and physics, surveying,
and some knowledge Of modern European
languages, is held twice year For some
time past all of the elgibles from this ex-
animation have been offered appointment
i Those who have passed the examina-
lions for topographic craftsman, assistant
topographer and copyist topographic
craftsman for the last three or four years
have usually been offered appointment the
salaries ranging from $40 to 81 500 per an
mum. Besides the two regular examinations
year several special examination have
been held in order to secure a sufficient
supply Of eligibles of this kind.
Posts of Varied Requirements.
Many well-educated young men have
tried for assistant examiner of patents,
which is very desirable position, where
the opportunities for promotion to bright,
energetic young men are excellent. The en-
trance salary to this position is 81, 200 per
annum. The number of eligibles usually
| secured is very little in excess Of the num-
Der of appointments made
persons qualified as civil and electrical
| or civil and mechanical engineers are
usually reasonably certain of early appoint
ment at entrance salaries Of about 81 500
per annum.
Persons who graduates of good
veterinary colleges who can pass the ex-
animation for inspector of meats for the
bureau of animal industry, are almost GER
tain of receiving early appointment, as ex-
traordinary efforts have been necessary
during the past few years to secure sutti-
cient supply of eligibles for this service
The entrance salary for this position is
81 200 per annum.
"A good proportion of the eligibles from
the junior civil engineer examination are
usually appointed, at entrance salaries
ranging from $720 to about 1,2OO per an
mum. No doubt a large number of appoint
ments will be made to these positions should
| there be a river and harbor appropriation
| made during the present session Of Con-
gress
The railway mall clerk examination fur
nishes an excellent opportunity Of entering
| the service for young, energetic men Of
| fairly sound physical condition and good
| common school education. This eXamina-
| ton is held once a year. and appointments
| are apportioned among the residents of the
| several states and territories. During the
| last four or five years from 700 to 800 APP
| pointments were made each year, at an en-
| trance salary of $500 per annum
| Most Of the eligibles from the different