Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-11-07

a quarter of a century ago. but the 1EXIa
present-day Chicago is perhaps the lHlfM
most carefully guarded city in the HEMlH
country. EkEMl
The why and wherefore of this ENNN
greatly improved condition is 5000 US
policemen-athletes. And the reason
for the athletic force is the civil ~
vice law with its physical require W
ments, which the who would
cop equal or excel to
become a fullhedged mnion of the
law.
He have a perfect chest heart lungs his
muscles must be strong, his bones well knitted,
he must be at least five feet eight inches in
height, and not more than six feet five inches.
Applicants in taking physical tests must tip the
scales between $50 and $50 pounds.
Obesity. muscular weakness and poor physique
are insurmountable barriers to the with
craving for place among the finest" Every
muscle in the body undergoes test, which is
made by the of machines and weights. The
Chicago policeman must be able to carry himself
WELL he must be shifty his feet, quick to think
and act. His eyes and be perfect and
his family tree must be absolutely devoid of
hereditary diseases.
In fact the Chicago force to-day is one which de-
mands that man be soldier, athlete and min
ion of the law combined During certain months
each year examinations conducted and dur
ing the fiscal twelvemonth 5000 men were ex-
amined- OF this number about one-half
cessful- First the doctor looks over the appli-
cants, then the physical examiner takes the
in hand and puts them through the most rigid
tests required anywhere in the world After that
the written examination is given in which each
applicants education is brought to the fore
Civil service tests severe and absolutely
honest 1t is up to the applicant himself to pass
the tests. You cannot be appointed upon the
Chicago police force by possessing acquaintance
with man with pull So great has been the
success of the system installed by President FL
ton Lower of the civil service commission and his
aides-H- D. Fargo and NJ. L. McKinley-that to-
day every city of any size in the United States
has its eyes focused upon the details and meth
DDS employed by the Chicagoans
Since President Lower became the leading light
in the work of giving Chicago efficient police
force, great strides have been taken by the city
toward making its citizens absolutely safe from
criminals.
Physical Examiner Edward G. Westlake is in
a measure responsible for bringing out the best
bodily qualifications in the who turned
over to him for inspection.
Says Examiner Westlake:
stage fright during the physical examination
is of the worst setbacks which the tests meet
When becomes Mustered knowing that
is quite natural that the best he knows will not
push itself the surface Hence it the duty
the examiner allay the fears of the applicant
as much possible
Consequently have found that it helps men to
do their best by applying suggestions and occa-
sionally allowing to lay on for few
ments until he compose himself. When the
period OF embarrassment passes, it invariably
does, the best that is in the applicant is bound
come The take the tests purely upon
their merits and perhaps the most severe of
the weightlifting requirements is that of lifting
q 3Opound dumb-beE from a lying posture the
This il TO test stomach muscles 1t does not