The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1908-10-28

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greatly improved condition is 5000 R2SA
Eolicemen-athletes And the reason -
for the athletic force is the civil SER S44w
vice law with its physical require W.
ments, which the man who would be-
come cop must equal or excel to
become full-fedged minon of the
law
lie must have 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 tin the
scales between $50 and $50 pounds
Obesity muscular weakness and Door phvsioue
are insurmountabe barriers to the man with a
craving for place among the Finest" Every
muscle in the body undergoes a test which is
made by the use of machines and weights The
Chicago policeman must be able to carry himself
we'll he must be shifty on his feet quick to think
and act His eyes and ears must 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 a 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-
amlned. OF this number about one-half were sue
cessful. First the doctor looks over the appli-
cants, then the physical examiner takes the men
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 are 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 Ell
ton Lower of the civil service commission and his
ades-H. D. Fargo and M. 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 an efficient police
force great strides have been taken by the city
toward making it's citizens absolutely safe from
criminals.
Physical Examiner Edward G. Westlake is in
a measure responsible for bringing out the best
bodily qualifications in the men who are turned
over 20 him for inspection.
Says Examiner Westlake:
Stage fright during the physical examination
Is one of the worst setbacks which the tests meet
When man becomes 'fustered, knowing that
a good job depends upon his every movement it
is quite natural that the best he knows will not
push itself to the surface. Hence it is the duty
of the examiner to alay the fears of the applicant
much possible.
do their best by applying suggestions and occa
sionally allowing man to lay off for few mo-
ments until he can compose himself. When the
period OF embarrassment passes, as it invariably
does, the best that is in the applicant is bound
10 come out. The take the tests purely upon
thcir own merits and perhaps the most severe of
thU WCiGht-lifting requirements is that of lifting
30-pOund dumb-bell from lying posture, the
we@|', being held back of the applicants head
This Is to test stomach muscles. 1t does not