The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-18
ErrlcrENcY ron rnls People.


Once again The Times Dispatch d.
rccts attention to the efficiency idca in
public service. The Administrative
Board and the head OF Richmond de-
partpents are asked to consider the
following procedure in the Department
of Justice of the United States for Sc
lecting private secretary. If this
care and discrimination can be en-
ployed by great office of the national
government in the choice Of minor
clerk, cnnnot this city devote moro at
tcntion to the exact determination OF
the abilities of men who get its sala-
ries?
The records of tho applicants were
investigated by board on tho follow
ing lines: They required certificate
from the chief under whom the appli-
cant for promotion was working, stat
ing that he was an expert stcnographer
They examined a statement from the
candidate rs to general education
knowledge OF law and legal terms, and
experience They consulted the per-
sons under whom the applicant had
worked. This amounts to what any
firm would require. and is of value ac-
cording to the thoroughness and nc
curacy of the investigation. The next
two points arc more interesting. The
board required the applicant to pre-
sent n. written statement of his con-
ception of the function and duties OF
private secretary. We can imagine
tho average Richmond job-seeker cx-
planning what he is going to do. This
suggests breadth. imagination and abil-
ity II should be very helpful test of
the mind and attitude of the prospect
tive worker. Finally, interviews were
held With each man. which practically
amounted to oral examinations to test
the PERSONAL characteristics of the APP
plicant Just as n matter of curiosity.
we wonder what kind Of questions the
job seeker here is asked? We wonder
what his personal attributes are sup
posed to be, and precisely how much is
pure and unadulterated politics? We
have oral examinations. but they do not
seem to be public.
Upon the data thus gathered the
board estimated the capacity and fit
ness of the applicants on these points:
industry, honesty, accuracy. thorough
ness. familiarity with legal terms and
books stenography energy, tact, adj
dress including ability to meet people. |
presence and speech. resourcefulness |
Judgment, orderliness. experience. gen |
nral education and health. Just sun
pose some OF our office-holders had to |
go up against that list. How many |
would be barred on energy? How many |
on Judgment?
In the end. three names were re- |
ported, The Assistant Attorney General |
gave each of these men trial for sew
eral days, and then chose the one best
suited.
Now, there are many excellent en-
pioyes of the city OF Richmond 1t is |
certain also that there are n great num- |
Der of inefficient, unframed and costly |
ones. What the people should want is |
Ill good ones, selected by some system |
'f which the above gives hint. and !
retained only as long as they satisfied |
strict requirements. What they get are
appointments for political and personal !
'easons. where the public is the last
element considered. In the matters of
act, resourcefulness and address, for |
example. the public should be inter- |
ested. Women and children have to |
depend on city officials in thousand I
ways. They should get help. instead of |
n many cases indifference.
Civil service is not perfect. Politics
has its Shiny trail on everything Yet |
he standard and ideal of efficiency is
worth money to the community. Rich
nond needs this money You are Rich
nond