The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-02
APPLICANTS MANY
AND ClAMOROUS
FOR POST OFFICE
By GEORGE II. MANNING.

( WASHINGTON. Nov. There Will
. he no scarcity Of applicants for the
. $50 postmasterships in Virginia of the
fourth class paying between SlSo ard
( 81 600 year, which are to be shaken
jup by the holding OF examinations
within the next few months, judging
( from the thousands of letters of IN
uuiry being received in Washington
by the congressman from those con-
templating taking the examinations
There has been a continual food Of
letters from people all over the state
regarding these examinations ever
since President Wilson on May l7th
issued an order providing that all
fourth class postmasters should sub
nit to competitive civil service ex-
animation. But this stream Of letters
has been more than trjpled since the
passage Of the urgent deficiency APP
preparation bill about two weeks ago
carrying the funds To defray the eX-
penses OF the examination. The let
: tors Of inquiry are varied IN thelf
character and ask for all sorts OF in
. formation such as Where Will the ex-
arptnations be held? when VIII Il be
helde Where shall l get the papers
Am | too old to take the eN-
animation etc
For the benefit Of those who intend
taking the examination and their
friends we VIII now set forth the prin-
cipal Information necessary The date
Of the examination has not yet been
definitely decided upon. but the tenta-
tive date is the first Saturday in jan
nary--January 2. 1919.
/ The examinations will be held all
over the state on the same Gay either
IN the postoHlce buildings In the larger
cities or at the county seats. Notices
win bc posted in conspicuous places
stating Just where the examinations
viii he held, and the date and hour.
Those intending to take the exau1i-
nations should write either TO their
CONGRESSMAN or the civil service COM
mission at once asking for Form 1853
which should be filled out and re-
turned to the commission. All those
having this from on file VIII be given
. full information by the commission as
10 when and where the examinations
will he held a card Will also be
mailed to the applicant admitting him
TO the examinations.
All those will be eligible for the
examination who are not barred by the
/ following exceptions.
Who ls not citizen Of the United
States.
who is not ut least twenty-onc years
. old. except where a woman eighteen
years old shuli be eligible IN State
where women are declared by statute
TO he Of full age for all purposes at
eighteen. Applicants at offices paying
more than $500 year must also be
under siXty-fiye years
who does not actually reside with
IN the territory supplied by the office
for which application is made.
Who would not personally conduct
the Office II appointed
Who is physically or mentally dis
no
who is addicted to habitual use of
intoxicants % excess.
who has been dismissed from the
federal service for delinquency or mis-
conduct within one year preceding the
date Of his application. Whether or
not an applicant will be accepted after
the expiration of a year rests with
the commission.
who has been dIshonorahly dis
charged from the United States army
or navy.
who has been guilty of crime or in
famous or VIGOROUSLY dlsgraceful con-
duct
who has Intentionally made false
statement as to any material fact or
has practiced deceit or fraud in any
manner in connection with his apph-
cation or examinations
Who has within approximately one
year passed the examination pre-
scrlbed by the comm tssion for fourth
class postmaster.
who Ia in any other respect unfit
fol the service.
The postonce department win not
appoint az fourth class postmaster the
husband or wife Of rural carrier.
BEFORE going to the examination
room the applicants must provide
themselves with pens, penholders pen
ellis, erasers and black ink. but no
paper or blotters.
The examination ls divided into five
parts with percentages as follows, and
II is necessary to make 10 per cent
to pass.
Elementary arithmetic and ac~
counts tsimple tests in addition,
; subtractlpu ipliCation, and
division Of whole numbers and
common and decimal fractions
and statements Of n postmaster's
accountsl ................., 40
penmanship Cthe legibiity, neat
ness, and general appearance of
the competitors handwriting In
| the subpeot of letter writing1. 10
Letter writing Ga letter OF not more
than l25 words on enc OF two
subjects furnished ........,-. 10
Copying manuscript "A resses
tsmple test In copying accu
ratcly addresses given) ....... 10
Facilities for transacting postal
business Chased on the location
Of postofl1ce site. convenience OF
office Arrangements, etc., go. 80
I0tAl i wv
All those receiving general aver
age Of 20 viii be marked az having
passed the examination and will be
entered on register in the order of
their averages, and the civil service
commission Will recommend for APP
pointment the three highest on the
list From this list Postmaster Cen
! eral Burleson can select the postmas-
ter without strict regard to the per-
son having the largest percentage. In
% making hts choice Mr.. Burleson will
; in most instances be guided by the
. recommendation Of the congressman
+ representing that district. as he Is sup
< posed to have a close acquaintance
" with the applicants and know which
= Of the three would make the best
e post master. SO that in addition to
making a good rating IN the cxamina
= ton ii is also necessary TO convince