The Washington times., 1936-03-03
u. 5. JOBS LOOM
FOR MACHINE
OPERATORS
By J. EARLE MOSER

Government service for the past
two weeks, the Civil Service Com
mission has announced an examina-
ton for operators Of ElliottFisher
'flat-bed" bookkeeping machines.
The rumorS, now proven true.
were to the effect that the de-
mand was greater than the supply
in regard to operators of the ma
chimes, particularly with the
launching of work Of handling the
bonus at Veterans Administration
and Treasury.
Heavy demands for bookkeeping
machine operators have exhausted
the eligible register at the Civil
Service Commission, although Off.
cialS as late as last Friday stated
that "all demands for such posi-
tionS have been completely filled"
Nevertheless, the test was in proc
eSS of preparation at. that time
and establishment of the new
register will mean jobs to many
who pass, it is indicated.
Officials at Civil Service ad.
mitted yesterday that the best
chance for rank and file Govern.
ment Jobs in the near future will
be In the machine operating
class" While this includes comp
tometerS, adding machines and
Sundry other mechanismS, the
rarest is bookkeeping machine
operators, who are now at q pre-
MUM and probably will continue
to be.
The need Of crack male stenog-
rapher, able to do ITS words per
minute, still holds. however, &C.
cording to those who know.
Plenty Of time is given to try
for the new jobs, which pay
$3.50 at the start. Applications
close March %, and as the actual
test will probably take place
three or four weeks later appli-
cantS have approximately 40 or
so days to learn operation Of the
machines.
Persons taking the exam will
undergo clerical tests. which will
count 80 per cent, and practical
tests in operating bookkeeping
machines, which will count TO.
No experience is necessary.
Learning operation Of the ma
chimes requires about four weeks,
at five two-hour sessions per week,
and q person who knows ordinary
bookkeeping can learn in about
three weeks, it is said. There is
Joker, however. Although local
business schools are planning to
install courses, the main place
to learn just now is the Elliott
Fisher School, operated by the
manufacturers, and they are filled
up entirely with a waiting list Of
applicants.
However, passing the test may
mean jobs for even District,
Maryland and Virginia folk. Civil
Service officials indicate. despite
the present existence Of the unfair
apportionment law. And there is a
demand for skilled operators, at
approximately $25 weekly, in
many business firms.
Another Exam, Too
Another test, for associate re.
search phySiologist, also has been
announced at Civil Service. The
post pays $4,000 and will close
receipt Of applications March 80.
Retirement Item
Studying retirement problems
in connection with his organiZa-
tons effort to have 30-year op-
tional retirement without age
limitations made effective in the
Federal service. E. Claude Bah
cock, A. F. G. E. president,
stated yesterday that age should
never be a factor in deciding
when a Government employe
must leave active service.
The former Civil Service secre-
tary pointed out that many
workers are at their peak OF ef-
ficiency when SO or 10. and that
others lose competence at much
earlier ages. He says the Gov
ernment loses money by not hav-
ing efficiency, instead of age, de-
termine usefulness, and also says
that If workers were eligible for
retirement after 80 years of serv.
ice SO per cent would elect to
remain in harness. Anyone, he
says, who knows the reluctance
Of veteran workers to "Step
down" will admit this to be
true.
Mr.. Babcock also ridicules the
current variation of ages at
which employees must be retired.
such as the rule which forces
out railway postal clerks at 81,
when they frequently could con.
tinue as useful workers for q
number Of years.
To Tighten Up
Thursday evening, at the Viii.
lard Hotel, the A. F. G. E. Sick
Benefit Association will hold a
special meeting to vote on some
proposed changes in it's bylaws.
Two new rules will deal with
adding more non-compensable
diseases and notification of ILL.
ness while i'll, according to Sec
retary Mary c. Bieber.
ADVERTISEMENT
Denend m zamo