The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-22
Fifty Thousand viii Take Civil
Service Examinations
For Positions in the Fourth
Glass POst0fices.
THE SYSTEM HAS CHANGED
New Rule Applies to All Pay
ing More Than $3.50.
Rural Route Carriers to Be
Given q Chance.

Copyright, 1913, by L. william Thavis.l
washington. Nov. 2.-The largest
civil service examination for competi-
tive positions ever given by the United
States government in point OF numbers
competing and in point OF positions 70
be filled will be that held for the $1,000
or more postmasterships to De nleo
over the United States.
These examinations will be held at
different points in the United States TO
determine the fitness Of applicants for
fourth class offices which have recent
ly been put under the civil service rules.
Fourth class offices are all Of those
which are not appointive offices. and
as stated above, are some $1,000 In num-
Der.
These offices yield to the postmasters
only the revenue derivable from the
face value of the stamps sold and
certain per cent on other business, such
as registration fees. etc. A postmaster
in this instance has the possibility OF
raising his Office to that Of an APP
pointtve or presidential office II he gets
busy and increases the revenue there
from by extraordinary craftsmanship in
peddling Uncle Sans wares His pos
abilities in Office may be summarized
az follows: If for four consecutive
quarters the amount OF his sales reach
es $3.50 per quarter, or $1,000 for the
year, he may reach the grade Of pre-
ferential appointment, or an appoint
ment outside Of the civil service.
Divided Into Two Classes.
All postoffices have been divided into
two classes-those which draw a salary
Of $3.50 per year, or more. and those
where the compensation is less than
$3.50 year.
AS to the class above the $3.50 they
will be competed for in the usual way.
the examination being held in the city
or town where the postod1ce is located.
Applicants will attend a class held for
the purpose. But as to the other class
of offices they will be selected by in
spectors who tour the country and pass
upon the merits Of aspirants without
giving any examination. The authori-
ties at Washington will rely entirely
upon this report in selecting fit ap-
pointees for this class of offices as 1t
Is not regarded as necessary in this in
lance to hold an examination.
Even in the latter case, Of course.
where there is a tie-up or serious con-
test for the position an examination
will be held. but such offices are usual
ly dealt with entirely from the report
Of the inspectors.
All classes Of postoffices, even the
grade under the $3.50 a year, are
sought eagerly by business men, gro
CCAS, UIu66lSlS, 81 CGlcrd, VINO REGARD
the office as drawing card for their
business.
All over the United States there are
rural route carriers too who will aspire
to become postmasters and they will be
given a chance to compete for the
place. The authorities consider that
these rural carriers are especially
equipped and in line for promotion.
They radiate out from the different Of
fees. getting an early start in the
morning and returning at evening, and
oftentimes incidentally help in the
work Of the postoffice. Necessarily
they are in touch with the postoffice's
work, have a large acquaintance among
the patrons, and feel that they are
able to carry on the required work in
case they can gain the promotion.
Many of these will enter into COMPETE
ton for the higher position. Speaking
of the qualification of these rural de-
liverers for the place one postal author
1ty said:
Their Qualifications.
II recall the instance Of a young
man in Shelby, N. c.. who had worked
for several years as clerk in the Shelby
postoffice. He had proved his worth
in such capacity but when the rural
systems were first inaugurated he felt
that he would like to work for a while
in the open and providing himself with