Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30
ONLY 6 OF STA
PASS POLICE TEST
Commission Statement Ex-
plains Examination Is Based
on "Horse Sense"

Only So applicants out of 374 who
took the recent examination for ap-
pointment as Washington policemen
qualifled, according to q statement by
the Civil Service Commission made
yesterday. The commissions statement
was made in connection with the re-
quirement Of an eiehth-grade educa-
ton for members of the Districts po-
lice force contained in the 1881 ap-
preparation bill and the comment 1t
has aroused.
The statement explains that the
mental examination now given applt-
cantS is not based on his having passed
through any particular number of
grades at school, but rather is q test
Of intelligence or what is commonly
known as horse sense" According
to the statement, the commission feels
that 1t is more important that po-
liceman should have native intelli-
gence and know how to use it in an
emergency than that he be able to
name the States bordering the Great
Lakes or solve o problem in arith-
metic."
Three Phases Of Examination.
There are three parts to the exami-
nation, the statement explains. First
comes the mental test (the "horse
sense" detector). Then comes a physi-
cal test. The would-be policeman must
be not younger than % and not older
than IS, must weigh more than las
pounds, but not be obese; must be not
less than S feet 8 inches barefoot and
must be free from disease or physical
defects.
Having negotiated these hurdles the
policeman next must make a statement
under oath as to the occupations he
has followed for the preceding several
years, and give the names Of five Spon-
Sors. The commission communicates
with the sponsors and the former en-
ployers, II any. II their replies are
favorable, the candidate is accepted.
Although the statement is somewhat
general, some details of the picture are
available from the hearings before the
District subcommittee Of the House APP
preparations committee, where the mat
ter of examinations was gone into
thoroughly. For example. the following
questions were put into the record by
Frederick w. Brown. assistant chief
typical of the horse-sense detecting
questions:
Examples Of Questions.
(which of the following is the chief
reason why q police force is necessary?
% To enforce law and order; Cd to
control trafic; 90 to prevent criminals
from escaping from jail; "a to record
flngerprints; (5) to direct strangers"
The explanation Of this question by
Mr. Brown is that although policemen
have many duties, their chief purpose is
to enforce law and order, so that Cd Is
the right answer.
Sample 2: Your superior officer as
signs you to duty at large public re-
ception where you are expected to watch
for pickpockets. Remember he tells
you, you cannot always judge a man
by his Clothes Which Of the following
most nearly expresses his meaning?
ID Look at all men with suspicion; (2)
detective should wear civilian clothes;
90 crimes are usually carefully
planned al a well dressed man in
spires confidence; (5) appearances may
be deceiving."
The answer number 5, said Mr..
man must put down In order to score
on this question.
Sample 8: Read the following state
ment and then answer the question:
The nature of police duty requires
policeman to be alert concerning per-
sons, places and happenings in order
to prevent crime and protect property
Which Of the following does this state
ment show a policeman on duty should
be? ID Obedient, (2) watchful, 90
"a systematic, (5) thrifty"
Although, said Mr.. Brown, a police
man should be obedient, ambitious,
systematic and thrifty, this is not stated
in the paragraph. The paragraph does
state that he should be watchful, so
90 is the correct answer.
More Successful Candidates.
The recent examination yielded a
higher assay of successful candidates
than the one held next before the
hearings, July, 1929. In that examina-
ton there were $50 competitors, only
rs of whom were successful. The rec
ord of the hearing shows that the
who attended seemed
rather impressed with the idea that
graduation from a high school should
be required instead of the grade school
finally imposed.
what would happen" asked Chair
man Simmons, "if you would send out
notices and state that the examination
is to be open to those who have an
education equivalent to a high school
Instead Of getting $685." replied Mr..
Brown 1--WE might get 100 and pass TO-"
Mr.. Simmons and other committee
members said that If the qualifications
were raised it would attract q higher
tyue of man, who now will not take
the examination because he does not
want to associate with those limited
to third grade educational outlooks.
Mr.. Brown thought, however, that the
limiting factor was the salary, and
that, regardless Of the stated qualifl-
cations. It would probably be impossible