The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-10-05
TIRE cITIL sKREI0E IN TRANCE.

TIRE CIFIL sERYIOE IN TRANCE.
 It appears that they have real civil service reform in France. Most gov ernment employees in that country are now chosen by examination. Any per- son who wishes to become a candidate must write to the minister of the de- partment he wishes to enter, inclosing certificates to show that he is French by birth or naturalization; that he has performed his military service or been exonerated from it, and that his par ents or guardians possess the necessary resources to enable him to live re- specially while he is a supernumerary. Foreigners are not allowed to take the examination in the colonies where they are generally required to naturalize themselves at an early date, Generally speaking, candidates must be not less than IS or more than 20 years old; but there are several exeep- tions. The sons of officials, if other wise capable, and youths who have taken high academic honors may enter before they reach IS years, and the age limit is extended to 2S in the case of young men who are called on to serve three years in the army. Officers ana soldiers retired from the army may also enter the civil service until they are 30. The most notable exception is that of abstract writers at the foreign office. To summarize and condense a long re- port properly requires skill and exper- fence, and man who possesses this rare gift can find employment up to the age of 45. ..s,
 Vacancies in the civil service are fill- ed from the list of successful candi- dates who are appointed supernumer- aries immediately after they pass the examination. supernumeraries receive no pay. But when a position is obtain ed on the regular staff, young clerk receives $29O to $S47 year, rising rap idly to $772, but afterward slower. He may become head clerk, of whom there are two or three in each room with salary of sl,554 Moreover he has a, remote chance of being head of the division, with a salary of S2,316. Appointments are not made. for any definite or limited period. Women are not employed in any government office except the postofflce and telephone ser vice, and they are then very poorly paid, receiving about three-fourths of mans salary. Office hours are from 9 a. m. to p. m. There are some eight or ten public holidays in the course of the year. An official is all lowed fortnight vacation without de- duction of salary, or a month if he has had no vacation during three preceding years
 Records of employees habits, indus try and efficiency are kept by the chief clerks. At the age of 60, after thirty years satisfactory service, clerk Is entitled to retire on a pension. This pension is usually calculated at the rate of one-sixtieth Of the salary for each years service, but must not ex- ceed two-thirds of the salary at the time of retirement, The law fixes the pension at two-thirds in the case of salaries of from s19S to ss176O, and at one7half for salaries from S61760 to ,$2,- 316. A retired ambassador receives S2,- 316, a consul general $1,15S, first class consul $965, and a second class consul s772. The pension fund is supported by deduction of per cent. from all al- aries. Retired employees cannot re-enter |