Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
WHY SHOULD ANY Be IDLE?
PLENTY OF CIVIL SERVICE JOBS
TO BE HAD.
Examinations Being Held in Chicago
for Positions That Pay From
$500 to $4,000.

On the thirteenth floor of the federal
building in Chicago the United States
government is conducting university
having an average of 1900 matricuants
every year. An examining classroom.
seating 100 persons is the best equipped
examining room outside of Washington,
and here in the course of a twelve
month thousands of applicants for the
civil service lists gather to pass civil
service examinations for positions with
the government service.
How necessary are these recruits for
government work is shown at the
present time in the needs of the Chicago
post office. The post Office roll for
Chicago numbers about 1000 men and
women in the classified service and for
months it has been almost impossible to
supply the demands of the department.
There have been examinations monthly
for months. but instead of an eligible list
aggresating about 20 in waiting there is
not man available for the emergency
work which is inevitable where 4OOO peo-
pie constantly are on the pay rolls, says
Thomas Baldwin in the Chicago Tribune.
The influences of good times are seen in
this fact. and, as far as is possible, the
new law going into effect July l has at
tempted to remedy the conditions. Any
man taking the post office examinations
now may be sure Of not having to stand
aside on a waiting list He will have
work at once at 30 cents hour for full
time. At the end of his first satisfactory
year he will have salary of $500 increa
ing 500 a year until the maximum Of
81, go is reached at the fifth year But
as clerks are in demand, so. too, are the
graded higher positions in need of men,
until the opportunities never We're better
for young mans taking the position of
superintendent at $500 a year
That waiting list of go men is consid-
cred necessary in the conduct of the Chi
cago post Office, when not a man is on the
list at the present time suggests what the
demand for men is in the Chicago post
Office. But, in spite of the government q
attempts to make these examinations and
these positions attractive, the examiners
in charge of the classroom on the thir-
teenth floor of the federal building are
not Sanguine of success. Presumably
there are TOO many flattering offers in
other fields for the young man who is Just
out of school and in search of employ
ment.
Fraud in Applications.
At the same time. young men have been
taking several kinds of risks in making
applications for these examinations. For
example, a short time ago young man
who was required to weigh 125 pounds
made affidavit to his weight, but when
stripped was discovered to have each of
his shoes heavily lined with lead In
another case the young man made out
the papers for examination sent a friend
VINO was better educated 20 take the eX-
animation for him. In both cases the
trickery was discovered and arrests were
made with strong chances that the con-
niying ones will receive two-year SEN
fences in federal prisons for the offense.
ANY of these examinations are open to
men and women who are citizens of the
United States. Every department of civil
service is filled from these examinations
in the federal building. the applicant for
the examination appearing. there for an
application blank for the particular ex-
animation he wishes TO take. He fills
out This blank according TO form and has
1t attested before a notary public, ap-
pearing for the examination on the date
Set for the test If he passes with an
animation he is put upon the eligible lists
the higher his record the higher he
ranks in opportunity for place.
Under ordinary conditions the age limit
of applicants is between eighteen and
forty-five years. In the post office service.
1.-The male applicant must measure not
less than five feet four inches in his
bare feet and weigh not less than 1875
pounds Similar requirements are made
in other special branches Of the govern
ment service. according to the work ex-
pected of the applicant
| Whatever the subject upon which tie
applicant would pass the examination
papers are prepared in Washington and
are forwarded under seal to the eX-
miners in the federal building in Chicago.
Papers are distributed in the classroom
and a certain time is allowed for COM
pietion Of the papers. These papers again