The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-29

IThe state business college,
w. u. Moffatt, Mgr.
| Tacoma, Wash.
Dear Sir-Iou probably have been
wondering why | have not written
| YOU sooner, and knowing that YOU
are a ways anxious to hear from
| your former students, | will now en-
| leavor to give "A brief summary of
ID. C. : " 'o"'
| | arrived in the Capital City on
| the 2Sth of Auugst at $50 a. M, aft
er being on the road for four days
AM ani rive nights, Immediately
where had been appointed an expert
counter in the National Bank Re-
demption agency at a salary of 800
| per annum.
The treasury building is situated
at 18th and Pennsylvania avenue
| and | experienced no trouble in get
| ting there. This Is one of the finest
of the government buildings and is
| just opposite the White House and
a tWo-mlnuto walk from the Wash
ington monument.
! took the oath Of office at the
treasury ON the morning OF my ar
rival after being introduced to the
heads of the department in which
was to work. ! was treated very
nicely by the men and women who
were to be my future associates.
They seemed to be very much inter-
ested In the distant state from which
came and regarded the State of
Washington as being the most pro-
gressive and one of the most popu-
lar states In the Union.
! started to work for the United
states government on the morning
! of the 29th of August in the Ma
tional Bank Redemption agency.
Our hours were from . a. IN. to 3: 80
p. m. The work of this agency con-
sists of redeeming old worn and
| otherwise mutilated national bank
notes which are received from the
various national banks throughout
the country. After being taught the
art of counting paper money | was
given work in the office of this
agency where I helped the book
| keeper and the assistant book
keeper | found the work pleasant
and easy, and as my chief said, 1t
On Sept. 20 or about three weeks
after ! began work. I was promoted
| to $500 per year. | did not expect
to be raised in such short time az
| the average person is obliged to
work at least six months before re-
celving any Increase.
My chief realized that would
have better opportunities for adj
lvancement in a larger division, and
so with his aid I was transferred
on the 18th of December to the ac-
counts division of the supervising
architect at a salary of $1,000 per
annum. This division Is without a
doubt the best department in the
treasury, and because of Its rapid
growth In magnitude, its opportuni-
ties for advancement are unlimited.
My present salary OF $1,000 II q
considerable increase over the SAL
airy I was receiving three months
ago, and I am indeed glad that
accepted my appointment. find
the working conditions are Heal.
have found from experience over
here that any one without the
knowledge of shorthand and type
writing Is considerably handicapped
in the government service. II was
because OF my knowledge of these
subjects. combined with my general
knowledge Of bookkeeping, that
received such rapid promotion.
At present we are having a severe
walks are coated with snow and ice,
which makes Il very disagreeable.
| I suppose the State Business coll
lege is enjoying very successful
year and I hope that the new year
viii be one of unusual prosperity
With my best wishes for Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
am, Yours respectfully.
ARTHUR FEST,
The above Is one of five unsoiicit-
ed letters received for Christmas
from former graduates. Arthur
Feist lived Mt sos South 2sth street.
He was q poor boy, but n0od. hon
est worker. with perfect Nabits
who have done just what he has
done ana any young person IN this
state can do II he viii Accomplish
the same. This school has mot IA ~
veafs ceased 70 40 thorough work.
shorthand ana bookkeeplnx or
teachers arr and have beon nf~Uo ~