Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26

preliminary sheets giving references and other
personal data.
If the stenographer has learned to use q
shorthand writing machine for taking notes she
need only be able to write numbers and to
write or print few words in the spelling test.
Handwriting, once thought vitality important
for any one in q Secretarial position, has in
this machine age become diSused that it Is
not tested at all.
The ability to read, understand and correctly
interpret directions, letters and other written
matter was, the contrary, found to play a
large part in the work of the Stenographer.
This ability is therefore tested by short QueS-
tions based on given paragraph OF quotation.
The questions may be answered merely by
reading over several given possible answers and
then writing the number of the correct answer.
Read the following question and see whether
you have this talent yourself:
(Reading) Just as the procedure of a coll
lection department must be clear cut and def
mite. the steps being taken with the sureness of
q skilled chess player, so the various paragraphs
Of q collection letter must show clear organiza-
ton, giving evidence Of a mind that, from the
beginning, has had a specific end in view"
According to the statement which OF the
following should be true of a collection letter?
It should % show spirit of craftsmanship:
CD always be divided into several paragraphs:
60 express confidence in the debtor; az be
brief, but courteous; (5) be carefully planned.
The correct answer is "5."
That most uncommon sense, common sense"
is another quality demanded today of the ste
nographer. Yet the employers admonition TO
"Use your head" is futile unless he has had
the forethought to select girl or boy with
native supply Of good judgment. The Civil
Service Commission has developed questions
which test judgment Here is sample:
Which of the following is the chief value
of q good mmeograph machine in an ofice?
Cd It affords quick way Of getting out form
letters; ca it gives the personal touch" to
each letter; go it is not so large as the multi
graph; a. it gives the Office businesslke
appearance; 60 mimeographed matter is more
effective than typed or printed matter.
The correct answer is a."
The stenographer's ability to use words cor
rectly is indicated by her answers to questions
Of this type:
FEASIBLE means most nearly % capable,
(O practicable, 90 justifable, ca beneficial.
60 reliable.
ONE Of the most interesting additions to the
new type Of examinations is the test Of
grammar. Formerly, ability in grammar was
usually tested only through a letter writing or
composition test. In this the applicant was
required to write letter or composition. Since
no two persons taking the examination would
try to use the same construction or even try to
express the same thought, the difficulty of the
grammatical problems confronted by the differ
ent individuals varied extremely.
The new examination for stenographer and
typist is the problem to each person taking
the test. Test yourself on this sample: g
Only one of the five sentences in the next
item is dramatically correct. Write the num-
Der of the correct sentence on the line at the
right.
% Our process not only insures a better, but
also cheaper finish CD better finish as
well as a cheaper one, are insured by our proc
ess. (3) Our process insures an inexpensive
finish that can't hardly be marred a. Our
process insures finish that is as good, as well
as cheaper than any other. 60 Our process
insures not only o better finish, but also
cheaper one.