The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-05

TO the Editor of The Times Dispatch:
Slr-An editorial in The Times Dis
suit of examinations given by the COM
mission for certain positions of un-
usual requirements:
result a number OF students of alb
stract economics head the list who are
totally lacking in experience.
the result? Half baked socioiogists,
maud s;enttimeHtaiists, together with
are placed in the Held"
1t has been. gratifying TO observe
your. paper TO the operation OF the
merit system of appointments TO the
public service. and these references
probation of its purposes and resultsJ
II Is stated in the editorial that the
remarks therein are not made by way
Of criticism, and that even with the
defects mentioned the merit system Is
Infinitely preferable TO the spoils sys-
tenn. 1t is with all the more regret
that these remarks are observed, since
they repeat somewhat common
fallacy regarding the examinations OF
The successful administration of the
civil service law requires that the
eXaminations shall be practical in
character. For scientific and technical
positions the tests must vary, Accord
Ing to the varying requirements Of
the activities of the government. An
and answers is sufficient in some cases
and in others the only practical test
Is an inquiry into the education. train
ing. experiencee,, and personal attain
ments or qualifications OF the candi-
dates. II is this last class OF exami-
nations to which your remarks refer
For these positions "non-aSsem-
blcd" examination is held. so called
because the applicants are not as
sembled for their examination. 1t is
difficult to make general statement
of the ground covered by these exami-
nations. for the reason that each eX-
animation is designed to test the quail
fications of the applicant for the par
ticular position for which he applies
and in these examinations the com
adopted by large business houses in
determining the Qualifications OF APP
plicants for similar positions in COM
merciai life, making inquiry into the
applicant education and training, their
achievements, experience and success
In handling men. and their ability in
who are themselves specialists in the
subjects under consideration. The ex-
aminations frequently include a thesis
on a subject connected with the actual
work which the successful candidate
will be required 10 perform. a review
of his publications or researches. if
any. and confidential communication
with individuals and institutions hav-
ing first hand knowledge, of the can
these confidential inquiries close and
pertinent questions are asked, not only
as to the qualifications OF the candidate
along the general lines OF education
teal fitness of the candidate for the
positionqto be filed, his tact careful
ness. originality, industry and like
qualifications, information as to which
cannot be obtained readily In any other
way, Where It appears that the quail
fcations OF the applicants for the po-
sition to be filed can best be deter
mined by an oral examination like that
for the consular and diplomatic ser
vice, such an examination is given and
the examiners chosen to give it are
persons of, sound judgment and COM
mon sense. who know the require
ments of the position to be filled.
In brief. the n eGxa M including
plying the tests depends upon the re-
quirementS of the particular position
for which 1t is held. and the process
Of preparing the examination consists.
quirements of the position and OF the
exact conditions under which the work
Is to be performed. The next step in
this class, Of positions Is to confer
S,on.al officials as to the various sub
Jects and weights OF tho examination
and the manner in which x Is to be
given. and 'ne'r suggestions, from the
point of t!ew &c him who is ultimately
10 employ tn, r:'ccessful candidate and
therefore DESTROYS of securing the men
best qualified, are OF the greatest value
to the commission, which. of course.
retains final authority over the matter
ton OF the: tests. After the examina-
ton Is Yield the papers are rated. and
this rating does not mean merely
the marking Of papers in a mechanical
way. In addition to the specialists in
stantly called upon to corporate with
the commission not only IN preparing