Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-10

ITedt Britain mas Deen examining Soii
didates for appointment in the civil serv-
ice since May u. 1855, on
Civil which date was issued the
first order in councif' pre-
WV scribng tests to ascertain
the qualifications of persons seeking or
proposed for appointments, and regulat-
ing the conduct of the civil establish
ments and the conditions Of service IN
them. This order was modified and ex-
tended by successive further orders from
time to time as conditions in the depart
ments changed, and particularly as the
necessity developed of applying the merit
principle to newly created branches OF the
service. On the 10th of January. 1910. the
latest order was issued, consolidating all
preceding regulations and virtually writ
ing a new civil service rule FOR the
United Kingdom. embodying all the sur
viving features of the preceding orders
The civil service commission consists
Of two officers appointed by 'his majesty
in council" That Is to say, these COM
missioners are named by the ministry ana
hold their Offices during the pleasure OF
the king This is tantamount to life
appointment. One of the commissioners
acts as the head OF the commission ana
the other as an assistant the two now
ever. having virtually coequal powers and
working together unit. The present
commissioners are Mr.. Stanley Mordaunt
Leathes, first, and. Mr.. Herbert Wood
field Paul, second. Mr.. Leathes had been
second commissioner for some years and
was advanced to the first position in 1910
upon the retirement of Lord Francis Her
vey. who had served as second commits
sioner from 1892, and first commissioner
from 1907. Thus it Is to be noted that
in the maintenance OF the commission it.
@f,,10 - s~tov
second commissioners becoming firsts in
order to preserve a virtually unending
chain of experience in office.
The civil service occupies a large
modern building within convenient range
of all the government
Commissions Offices just off Piccadilly
AIR. and Regent street. There
OAnooS' are sixty-nine on the
regular administrative staff. but the spe-
cial examiners for particular subjects
number several score in addition. This
office Is conducted precisely as are. all
others. the clerks being subject. of course,
to the civil service rules and required
to pass rigid examinations for appoint
ment The building is quiet at all times,
an atmosphere of placidity investing it's
corridors and waiting rooms. Outside are
special entrances for applicants for minor
positions. who are admitted to the base
ment and put through preliminary tests
to reduce the first number to practical
proportions.
the civil service commission about two
score of women and girls were waiting
at one of these doors. A placard on a
bulletin board explained the occasion. An
examination was to be held shortly Ioi
unSkilled positions in the Post Office De-
partment. 1 ascertained later that there
were perhaps twenty places. and 1t was
assured that there would be probably
800. and perhaps even 500. candidates. The
examination for such g. position would be
almost elementary. and would extend lit
tie beyond the entertainment OF physical
qualifications. The positions would pay
about 20 to % shilings a week. and were
sought with pitiful eagerness.
Examinations are held from time tc
time to fill either vacancies then existing
or that are estimated as likely to occur
within any period not exceeding siN
months after the commencement OF the
examina lions, or such vacancies as may
occur within not more than six months
from the date that the results of the ex
aminationS are announced, as the heaC
of the department may desire to have
filled. 1t Is possible in the English serv-
ice to estimate very closely as to the
number of vacancies, for the retirementS
are regulated in accordance with age
and save for casualties the prospect o.
half year is practically plain to the ad
ministrative chiefs. In this way the civil
service commission can keep the clerica
demands of the departments well sup
Piled,
Notice of an examination is given wei
in advance, with full details as to the
scope. the position or po
Examination sitions to be filled. the
markings to be allowed