The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-07
USUAL STRAIN
ABSENT IN
u. 5. TEST
BY J. EARLE MOSER

dhlllR n oPlAAS
ton to get into the Civil Service
isn't nearly the grueling grind that
some Government tests turn out to
be, according to observations made
during the current steno-typo SEES
sionS now under way at Mckinley
High School.
The girls, from observation, &C
tually enjoy it, and the few young
men who appear in order to exhibit
their Stenographic wares have no
kicks to register, surrounded as
they are by waves and waves OF
attractive femininity.
And Mrs. Jesse M. CowleS, the
Civil Service Commissions chief
examiner-in-charge, seems to en-
joy the proceedings as much as
anyone else. Accompanied by a
score or more of assistants, Mrs.
Cowles bustleS all over the Tech"
gym-where the typiSt test occurs
waving a hastily made mega
phone that once was large piece
of cardboard, blowing a traffic
cops whistle at frequent intervals
before issuing an order, and gen.
orally having the time OF her life.
Pressure of any unusual strain
IS relieved somewhat. it is said,
by the fact that most of the COM
petitorS know approximately what
to expect, and the majority are al
ready competent Stenographers
and are fairly sure of their ability
to knock the test for a loop"
They are already familiar with typ
ing from rough or plain draft,
know their own approximate speed
in tipping and shorthand, and have
no fear of the dictation part Of
the exam because, after all, it's
the same old dictation no matter
where you take it, The event
seems to DO more Of a daytime
party than a serious bid for jobs,
and is marred for the girls only
by the fact that smoking is for
hidden in school buildings.
Strain is more evident in other,
less general examinations, such as
for statistical clerk, etc. Such
tests run less to type and include
more questions of a technical ma
ture that are likely to entirely
BATTLE a contestant who had
thought his or her ability easily
sufficient. The uncertainty causes
a grim tenSenesS and shaky nerv-
BUSINESS not evident at Mckinley
today. Tears, and sudden depart
ures from room in complete sur
render often a t en- d the more
technical tests. The Socalled "gen-
eral clerical questions" are the
sole items of this nature in the
current event, however, and while
they count 40 per cent for a
typist they weigh little for a
Stenog. It is even possible for a
stenographer to pass by entirely
fiunking them, but 80 per cent in
everything else would be neceS'
Sary in that case.
Few stenotypiStS-Who take die
tation on a machine-are in evi.
dence, though they rarely funk.
The reason is that the high-speed
machine Stenographers have not
yet won over the majority of Gov
eminent officials to their cause,
conservatives putting up the same
opposition that they once pre-
sented against dictaphones, and
the candidates for jobs are still
relying on the notebook and pad
until a more progressive era has
arrived. It is predicted, however.
that stenotypists will swarm in
Federal offices before very long.
Stengle to Depart
In line with the departure of
most of the other national head
quarters figures, Col. Charles I.
Stengle, legislative representative
of the American Federation of
Government Employees, will leave
Saturday for an extended organi-
zation trip through the Middle
West, covering more than $500
miles. He will visit Cincinnati, st.
Louis, Kansas City, Denver Mime
apolis and st. Paul, Chicago, Mil
waukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Buff
falo and Philadelphia in the order
named, nolstering up weak lodges
where necessary and forming new
ones where possible. Lee Somers,
executive assistant to Acting Pres
ident Berniece Heffner, left last
Saturday tor a two weeks vaca-
ton.
Odds and Ends
On the masthead of the Gov
eminent Standard is the line: E.
Claude Babcock, president Con
leave) Margaret E. Maddox
was sworn into a permanent job
as nurse for the Civil Service Com
mission the other day, after sew
eral months of satisfactory tempo
rary work Dr.. Mordecai
Ezekiel, Agriculture economic ad-
visor, will speak at the political
discussion being held by Virginia
U. until Saturday for the Institute
of Public Affairs session