Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-12-27
CIVIL SERVICE
BUREAU WANTS
TO SPREAD OUT
Would Investigate Characters
Of Candidates and CataIog
Workers. Efficiency.
rrom : staif correspondent.


TRENTON, Dec. 27.-Insufficient
appropriations and. incidentally, in
adequate working quarters, greatly
hamper the work of the Civil Service
Commission of New Jersey, according
the annual report of the commits
sion, filed with Governor Fielder to-
lay With reasonable funds avail
BILE. the scope amount and quality
Il work of this department of the
State government could be greatly en-
arged says the report.
Several new sub-departments which
are desirable, would be formed.
Among the proposed divisions could
be one for the purpose of investigating
the character of candidates who take
the examinations. while every effort
is made to insure the certification of
those only who are worthy" says the
commission in its report, 'the methods
we are obliged to use at present are
lot as satisfactory as they should be,
With a competent investigator, which
would. Of course, include the moral
squipment of applicants, would be
placed before the commission"
Efficiency Charts Urged.
Another sub-department. the report
advocates, would embrace the statis-
ties concerning efficiency of those
under civil service. The present limi-
iations OF the commission prevent the
adoption of a comprehensive system,
and In its absence the department is
forced to do with elaboration of the
present method. In this connection it
Isl recommended that each of the
state departments prepare and hang
II, conspicuous place a chart show
ing the relative efficiency each month,
10 be marked by the respective heads
Of each employe with respect to;
Quantity Of work. quality of work,
aptitude and capacity of initiative,
punctuality and attendance, character
md habits, concentrations, fines and
penalties. This method would insure
airness in markings and do away
with favorites, would promote friend
ly rivalry and stimulate effort, the
commission says.
Fullest publicity is advocated in
connection with results of examina-
lions and proceedings, as we'll as ex-
animation papers and records of all
candidates. AT present, owing to lack
pf quarters and filing facilities, 1t is
aot practical to follow this plan.
-hoEe were EAhnflneu rms sthr.
During the past year 247 competi-
tive examinations were held for $500
candidates. Last year 500 candi-
dates were examined. Qualifying az
s,minations for positions for which
there was no competition numbered
thirty-nine during the year. Noa-
competitive examining boards named
by the commission conducted 2,6sl
testA and 4,037 laborers have been
registered at the labor registration
bureaus OF the commission. The
grand total in examinations and reg
lstrations is, therefore, 1880.
There were 4,697 persons appointed
to positions rs the result of COMPETE
live and non-competitive examina-
tions and labor registrations. Exam
nations to the number of twenty-six
we're attended by f.055 candidates for
election officers. The candidates for
these positions are each year inn
proving IN character, the report says.
For the first time examinations
were held for State inspectors of pub
lie roads, under an amendment to tho
state road act adopted at last win
ter's session of the Legislature
Would Make Test obsolute.
The Civil Service Commission saws
~ 0OhiO llhC 70 ste lIt llTSL ON GaCn
list of successful candidates selected
for the position, for where there is
a right of choice of three names capa-
BILE applicants hesitate to enter exam
nations. knowing that even if they
are the highest their selection depends
lpon the arbitrary choice of depart
ment head. Another observation of
the commission is to the effect that
X is a mistake to assert that high
positions, or those requiring large
administrative capacity, cannot sbe
filled by competitive examination.
Experience has proven to the con-
trary, the report states, in this con-
nection.
The commission also says that
many exempt positions are unneces-
sary and if honestly filled could be
done as well by civil service as any
other way. despite contentious to the
contrary.
Civil service is not perfect, but is,
however, infinitely superior and pref
cradle to what has been termed the
so-called "spoils" system, the report
says.