TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

A missing word is denoted by the caret _^ .

There is only one footnote in the book, referenced eight times from the list of Carrier Stations on [page 193], and it has been placed at the end of that list.

Fractions are shown in the format a-b/c, for example 7-2/25 or 1/4; the original book used the format a b-c.

Some other minor changes to the text are noted at the [end of the book.]

POSTMASTER EDWARD M. MORGAN

The Postal Service
(Fifth Edition)

By J. J. O’REILLY

EDITOR

THE GOVERNMENT WEEKLY

The Chief Publishing Company

5 BEEKMAN STREET

NEW YORK CITY

Copyrighted 1912

By The Chief Publishing Company

FOREWORD

No other branch of the Federal Government furnishes employment to so many men as the postal service, particularly that branch of it in which letter carriers and clerks are used. In every city vacancies occur frequently, by reason of death, resignation or transfer, and the prospects of employment are always good for intelligent young men of studious habits. To secure an appointment in the postal service, as in other fields of labor, one must prove his fitness for the job desired. Uncle Sam requires that this shall be done in an open competitive examination, and usually there are hundreds, in the large cities thousands, competing in the same examinations. Taking New York City as an example, the annual appointments to each position average between 200 to 300, while the eligible lists usually contain 1,000 to 1,500 each. From this it will be seen that only a small percentage stand any show of appointment. Those that do succeed are the men who took pains to prepare themselves for the test by a careful study of the subjects required. The purpose of this book is to help the candidate to “brush up,” to direct him in self-improvement, and point the way by which any person of ordinary intelligence, willing to devote his leisure moments to study, can pass a good examination and get within striking distance on the eligible list.

CHAPTER I.
CRADLE DAYS OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.

No Branch of the federal government more strikingly illustrates the wonderful growth and extension of Uncle Sam’s business than the Postal Service. Its history is the history of the commercial and industrial development of the nation, for it has kept abreast, so far as supplying the means of quick and reliable communication is concerned, of the onward march of progress. It ought to be the desire and the aim of every man and woman who purposes to take up the postal service as a life career, to know something of its history, its gradual evolution. Only in this way can they form a just estimate of its relative value in the scheme of government, and without such knowledge they will be merely perfunctory human machines, void of that close personal attachment so necessary to success in any undertaking.

A review of the history of the postal service in America has all the interest and charm of an old romance dealing with the life and customs of a bygone age, particularly when depicted by one whose heart and soul is wrapped up in the service, by one whose career in itself is the best proof of what studious habits, devotion to duty, and loyalty to the department can do for a man in the postal service. That man is Edward M. Morgan, Postmaster of New York City, who, starting as a letter-carrier in 1873, came up through the ranks, grade by grade, until he was entrusted with the management of one of the two largest post offices in the world.

Beginning of the Postal Service.

Mr. Morgan in speaking of the history of the postal service says:

“The post office played but a minor part in the early affairs of New Amsterdam. For many years after the consummation of the greatest real estate deal on record, which secured from the Indians the whole island of Manhattan for twenty-four dollars, most of the slight correspondence that was carried on was forwarded in the care of chance travelers, or mutual friends of the correspondents. Later the necessity of some sort of receiving place was felt and what was known as the “Coffee House Delivery” came into use. Letters were addressed to some popular coffee house or tavern, where, upon receipt, they were “posted” in a conspicuous place in the public room where they remained until by chance or gossip, the persons for whom they were intended learned of their arrival.

New York’s First Post office.

“That system in time came to be regarded as unsatisfactory, and in 1692, when New York, as it had then come to be called, was still a quiet village of about five thousand inhabitants, the village authorities passed an act or ordinance establishing a post office. This was followed by the founding here, in 1710, of a “Chief Letter Office” by the Postmaster-General of Great Britain, shortly afterwards, arrangements were made for the delivery of mail from Boston twice a month, and propositions were advertised for the establishment of a post to Albany. The interesting feature of that advertisement, to us who are accustomed to the speedy locomotion of to-day, was that the mail was not to be carried by coach, or boat, or even on horseback, but on foot. The records are hazy as to the location of the first official post office in New York City, but according to an advertisement that appeared in a paper of the period, it was removed in 1732 from the quarters it then occupied to “the uppermost of the two houses on Broadway, opposite Beaver Street.” The year 1753 found it still in the same location. It was closed on Sundays, and at other times it was open for business from 8 A. M. until noon, excepting on post nights, when business was transacted until 10 P. M.

Annual Postal Receipt Less Than $3,000.

“In 1786, during the administration of Sebastian Bauman, the second postmaster after the close of the War of the Revolution, there was a regular schedule for the arrival and dispatch of mails between New York and Albany and New England, and also between New York and the South. Mail from New England and Albany arrived on Wednesday and Saturday in winter, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in summer. The income of the office at that time was $2,789.84. Compare that sum and the income for the twelve months ended September 30, 1911, when, for the first time in the history of the New York office, the receipts for any twelve consecutive months passed the twenty million dollar mark, being exactly $20,451,172.53.”

Franklin First Postmaster General.

It is an interesting and singular coincidence, overlooked by some of our historians, that the man to whom most credit is due, probably, for the organization of our national postal service was Benjamin Franklin, who did so much to encourage and promote the use of electricity, the other great medium for transmitting intelligence. Franklin was the first Postmaster General under the Revolutionary organization, before the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. He was chosen because of his earlier experience in postal matters, as postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737, and as Deputy Postmaster General of the British Colonies in 1753. He was removed from the latter office, to punish him for his active sympathies with the colonists. When Independence was declared one of the first acts of his fellow patriots was to place him at the head of the Post Office Department. But the stern necessities of the Revolution called for Franklin’s great abilities to perform services of still greater importance, and Richard Bache, his son-in-law, was chosen to succeed him as Postmaster General, in November, 1776. Mr. Bache was succeeded by Ebenezer Hazard, the compiler of the valuable historical collection bearing that name. He held the office until the adoption of the Constitution and the inauguration of Washington.

Washington chose for his Postmaster General, Samuel Osgood, of the famous New England family. He had been graduated from Harvard College in 1770. He soon became a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, a member of the Board of War, and subsequently an aid to General Ward. In 1779, he was chosen a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, and two years later was elected a member of Congress. After four years in Congress he became first Commissioner of the Treasury. When he left Washington’s cabinet he was made Naval Officer of the Port of New York where he died August 12, 1813.

CHAPTER II.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF CANDIDATES.

Clerks and carriers must be citizens of the United States, physically fit for the service and temperate. They must be more than 18 years of age and not more than 45, stand 5 feet 4 inches in height in bare feet and weigh not less than 125 pounds without overcoat and hat. Some applicants who know they are below the weight foolishly try to secrete about their person, beneath the soles of their feet, or in their hair weighty materials to make up the deficiency. Not one in a hundred ever succeeds in fooling the lynx-eyed examiners, but those who try, do succeed in getting themselves blackballed and are debarred from taking examinations in the future. Female applicants are not required to be of any specific height or weight. The age limits are waived in the cases of persons honorably discharged from the military or naval service by reason of disability resulting from wounds received or sickness incurred in the line of duty, but they are waived only for such persons as have been physically disabled in the way mentioned.

Physical Conditions.

Eye glasses are permitted during the examination, but very serious defective sight is sufficient to cause rejection. As also are defective hearing, or speech; persons blind in one eye; one-armed, one-handed, or one-legged persons, or those having crippled arms or legs, or those suffering from asthma or hernia. Deaf mutes and persons with defective speech may, however, be appointed to the positions of mail clerk, distributor, and directing and forwarding clerk. Applicants also are excluded from examinations for any of the following reasons:

That he is, on the date of the examination, under the minimum or over the maximum age limitation.

That he has any of the following defects: Insanity, tuberculosis, paralysis, epilepsy, blindness, loss of both arms or both legs, loss of arm and leg, badly crippled or deformed hands, arms, feet, or legs, uncompensated calvular disease of the heart, locomotor ataxia, cancer, Bright’s disease, diabetes, or is otherwise physically disqualified for the service which he seeks.

That he is addicted to the habitual use of intoxicating beverages to excess.

That he is enlisted in the United States Army or Navy and has not secured permission for his examination from the Secretary of War or the Secretary of the Navy, respectively. Written permission must be filed with the formal application.

That he has, within approximately one year, passed the same examination for which he again desires to apply. This restriction does not apply to persons who, having taken one annual examination, desire to take the next annual examination, although a full year may not have elapsed.

That he has been dismissed from the Federal service for delinquency or misconduct within one year preceding the date of his application. Whether or not an application will be accepted after the expiration of a year from a person dismissed from the service rests with the Commission, and each case of this character will be considered on its individual merits.

That he has failed after probation to receive absolute appointment to the position for which he again applies within one year from the date of the expiration of his probationary service.

That he has made a false statement in his application, or has been guilty of fraud or deceit in any manner connected with his application or examination, or has been guilty of crime or infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct.

That he has been discharged for desertion from the military or naval service of the United States under section 1998, Revised Statutes.

Clerks and Carriers Are Bonded.

Each clerk and carrier when appointed to the service must furnish bonds in the sum of $1,000. In most first and second class cities there are surety companies that make a specialty of supplying such bonds for persons on entering the postal service. The charge, which is paid by the employee, is twenty-five cents per annum for a carrier and fifty cents for a clerk. In addition the carrier must furnish his own uniform and cap, which averages from $15.00 to $20.00 a year. The only other expense imposed upon a clerk is thirty-five cents for his badge, and this is returned to him when he leaves the service and surrenders the badge.

CHAPTER III.
SALARIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

The salaries for postal clerk and carrier are the same throughout the Union. Starting in at $600 the first year, the man who is efficient and has a clean record is advanced to $800 at the beginning of the second year; the third year he goes to $900 and so on to the sixth year when he reaches the maximum for this branch of the service, $1,200. But there are opportunities beyond this to clerks of exceptionable ability, and to carriers, too, if they elect to be transferred to the clerical branch, as is evidenced in the brilliant career of Postmaster Morgan of New York, referred to in the [opening chapter]. Transfers are permitted from carrier to clerk, or visa versa, after three or four years service.

Promotion For Good Clerks.

In cities having sub-stations, clerks are eligible to promotion to assistant superintendent, and then to superintendent, with salaries ranging from $1,300 to $2,500. They may also file applications with the postmaster through their station superintendent for transfer to another branch of the service, such as registry division. No other examination is necessary, the places there, as also on the windows, inquiry department, and on money order windows being given to clerks who show meritorious service. The only promotion examination given is to the money order division, which is not to be confused with positions at money order windows. Besides involving grave responsibilities the clerks in the money order division are subject only to day work and have no night shifts.

Hours of Labor.

Employees in all branches of the federal government are required to work only eight hours a day. The hours, however, may not always be consecutive. Postal clerks, for instance, work usually in three shifts. The hours vary but the following may be taken as an example, allowing one hour for meals:

First shift, 10 A. M., until 7 P. M., second shift, 4 P. M., until 1 A. M.; third shift, 12 midnight until 9 A. M. If clerks are required to work overtime they are given compensatory time or leaves of absence during the week corresponding to the number of hours overtime. This also applies to Sunday work.

Carriers are not allowed to work overtime and when they do “demerits” are registered against them. While a carrier is at the call of the government, so to speak, more hours in a day than is a clerk, his hours of actual duty are the same, eight. They have “swings,” or periods of intermission, between deliveries when their time is their own and they are permitted to go where they please. Regular carriers make deliveries only, and are rarely, if ever, called upon to make collections.

Violations of the rules and inefficiency are punished by a system of “demerits” ranging from 1 to 500 according to the degree of the offense. “Demerits” in any considerable number naturally affect a man’s advancement. Anything less than 500 is usually wiped out at the end of a year and the offender starts again with a clean slate. But if 500 or more is charged up against a man it remains a constant reminder of past shortcomings.

Clerks and carriers who resign from the service may be reinstated within one year, but, unless their absence was due to illness, they lose a grade. In other words, they must work a year for $100 less salary than they received at time of resignation. In case of illness employees must notify the postmaster through their superintendent, without delay. Salaries are paid the 1st and 16th of each month.

“Subs.”

“Subs,” in the parlance of the postal service, are men taken from the regular eligible lists to act as substitute clerks and letter carriers. In every large office there is always a lot of emergency work due to sickness, or unusual demands. “Sub” clerks work on an average from six to nine months—the duration varies greatly in different offices—before receiving a permanent appointment, while “sub” carriers have to work from three to four years before they get a steady job. The collection of mail from street letter boxes is entrusted to “sub” carriers, regular carriers attending only to the delivery of mail. All “subs” receive thirty cents per hour and their salary averages from $50 to $60 per month.

Carriers’ Moral Responsibility.

Carriers are not allowed to put letters into their own pockets to carry them nor to throw away even the slightest piece of mail, however valueless and unimportant it may appear. He must return to the office everything that is undelivered, and after every trip must bring back his satchel and his key, and make his comprehensive written return in detail of the number and character of the pieces handled by him. Every piece of mail entrusted to him has its particular place and all must be arranged with system and order. He is forbidden under all circumstances to return to any person whatever letters deposited by them in the street mailing boxes from which he makes collections, but if the sender of the letter wishes it back, he must report to the postmaster through the head of his division, and the postmaster has exclusive discretion to return it to the writer.

CHAPTER IV.
WHERE AND HOW TO OBTAIN APPLICATION.

Examinations for the postal service usually are held in the fall, about the first Wednesday or Saturday in November of each year. Prospective applicants should write to the secretary of the civil service district in which they reside—a list of these will be found in the [chapter] under that heading—for the exact date and place of the mental test and the time when applications may be had. The blank, a copy of which is given elsewhere in this book, must be carefully and correctly filled and all questions must be answered. This requirement must not be overlooked, as to do so would mean the sending of the application back to the applicant for correction, thus causing loss of valuable time.

All answers must be written in ink, the application in the handwriting of the applicant and the vouchers in the handwriting of the signers. There must be no discrepancy in the name of the applicant in any part of the application or in the vouchers. For New York: Physical examinations take place after the mental examinations, and only when called for appointment.

To make this point clear, applicants must see that all names are signed alike in every part of the application. For instance: John Doe must be John Doe everywhere and not J. Doe in one place and John Doe elsewhere.

Applications or vouchers which are executed or dated more than six months before the date of filing will not be accepted. After the blank is properly executed, it must be filed with the secretary of the local board of examiners. So far as possible file applications personally. If circumstances are such that the application must be mailed, register it and obtain a receipt for same. All applications must be sworn to before a Notary Public.

Whenever extra examinations may become necessary, to meet the needs of the service, due announcement will be made of the dates and places of such examinations, and also of the time allowed for the filing of applications.

A person cannot at the same time be an applicant for or eligible from examination for more than one first-class post office for which examinations ordinarily are held annually in November. This restriction will not apply, however, when an examination is held for any of these offices on a date other than that of the regular annual examination.

A person who passes an examination can not be examined again for the same post office within approximately one year of the date of the examination he has passed. A person who fails in an examination may take the next examination regardless of the time intervening.

A request for a change in the designation of the position desired by an applicant must be made in writing and be received by the district secretary on or before the date set for the close of receipt of applications, otherwise no change will be made.

The postmaster is required to make selection for a vacancy from not more than the highest three names on the appropriate register, and for the next and any additional vacancies from not more than the highest three remaining which have not been within his reach for three separate vacancies. The name of an eligible must have been within reach for three separate vacancies in a position before it may be passed over in making selection for appointment to that position.

When an eligible’s name is borne on both the clerk and the carrier registers and has been three times certified (considered) for one of the two positions, but not selected, his name will not be further certified for that position, but his standing on the register for the other position will not be affected. Neither will declination of appointment when selected for one of the positions affect the eligible’s standing on the register for the other position. Appointment to either position will remove the eligible’s name from the registers for both positions.

An eligible who has been within reach for three separate vacancies in either the position of clerk or of carrier in his turn may subsequently be selected for the position, subject to the approval of the Commission, from the certificate upon which his name last appeared, if the condition of the register has not so changed as to place him in other respects beyond reach of certification.

In the Post Office Service appointments are usually made to the position of substitute clerk or substitute carrier. Substitutes are promoted in the order of their original appointment to the first vacancies occurring in regular positions. Declination of appointment as substitute will remove the name of the eligible from the register from which selection was made, and it will not be restored for consideration in connection with appointment to a regular position only.

Auxiliary employees are paid for actual service at the rate of 30 cents an hour. They are required to work not less than two hours daily, and may serve as substitutes. They are eligible for appointment as clerks and carriers of the first grade.

All promotions of both clerks and carriers will be made at the beginning of the quarter following the expiration of the year’s service in the next lower grade. No promotion will be made except upon evidence satisfactory to the Post Office Department of the efficiency and faithfulness of the employee during the preceding year. When a clerk or carrier fails of promotion because of unsatisfactory service, he may be promoted at the beginning of the second quarter thereafter, or of any subsequent quarter, upon evidence that his record has been satisfactory during the intervening period. Clerks and carriers of the highest grade are eligible for promotion to the higher positions in their respective offices.

Any male clerk in an office in which both clerks and city carriers are employed, is eligible for transfer to the position of city carrier, and any city carrier is eligible for transfer to the position of clerk. Male clerks and city carriers are also eligible for transfer to the position of rural carrier.

CHAPTER V.
OFFICES IN NEW YORK STATE.

Examinations for the first-class offices named below will be held on the first Wednesday or Saturday in November of each year, if the needs of the service so require. City delivery service has been established at these offices, and their force includes both clerks and city carriers.

Blank forms of application for the November examinations may be obtained from the local secretary at the office where employment is desired, or from the secretary of the Second Civil Service District, custom house, New York City, between July 1 and October 1. Applications must be properly executed and filed with the district secretary at New York City between July 1 and the close of business on October 1.

For the following named offices the names of male eligibles are entered on only one register—namely, the “clerk” or the “carrier” register—and male applicants for these offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of “clerk” or of “carrier:”

Examinations for the first and second-class offices in the following list will be held only when eligibles are needed, due announcement of which will be made, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced. City delivery service has been established at these offices, and their force includes both clerks and city carriers. Names of first-class offices are in black face type.

Candidates for New York City and vicinity will find a Notary Public and a staff of Civil Service experts at the office of THE CHIEF during business hours, who will enlighten the candidates on any doubtful point.

CHAPTER VI.
QUESTIONS TO BE FILLED OUT IN APPLICATION.

1. (a) For what positions do you wish to be examined?

(b) For what Service (Postal or Customs) do you wish to be examined?

(c) In what city or town do you desire employment?

2. What is your name in full? Give your first name in full, your middle initial, or initials, if any, and your surname in full.

3. Are you a citizen of the United States? Answer must be “Yes” or “No.” If a naturalized citizen, your certificate of naturalization, or the certificate of naturalization of one of your parents (if such parent was naturalized while you were a minor), with sworn statements, on Form 44, of two disinterested citizens as to the reputed relationship, must be forwarded with the application. The certificate will be returned to you.

4. (a) Where were you born?

(b) What was the month, day and year of your birth?

(c) What was your age on your last birthday?

5. Name the kind of school in which you were educated. Viz: Common school, high school, business college, academy, college, etc. If educated in high school, academy, college, university, etc., give the name and location of the school, and state how long you attended, and whether you were graduated.

6. How long did you attend school, and at what age did you leave school?

7. Are you or have you been married? Answer “Yes” or “No.” If applicant is a married woman, the full name, post office address and legal residence of her husband are required. A married woman, not divorced, but living apart from her husband, should state the facts, if any, entitling her to separate residence.

8. Are any members of your family, or any of your relatives, in the service of the Government? Answer “Yes” or “No.” If so, state their names, in what position, in what branch of the service, and the relationship. This does not apply to state or municipal service.

9. Have you ever been convicted of, or indicted for, any crime. Answer “Yes” or “No.” If so, inclose herewith an abstract from the court proceedings to show the essential action taken, and also furnish a statement from the trial judge or other court officer showing the surrounding circumstances and your reputation for honesty and integrity.

10. (a) Do you habitually or at times use intoxicating liquors, tobacco, morphine, or opium to excess?

(b) If so, which?

(c) Have you ever used intoxicating liquors, tobacco, morphine, or opium to excess?

(d) If so which?

11. (a) Have you any defect of sight in either eye?

(b) Have you any defect of speech?

(c) Have you any defect of limb?

(d) Have you any defect of hearing?

12. What is your height, measured in your bare feet?

13. What is your weight in your ordinary clothing, without overcoat or cloak?

14. Have you been examined for any branch of the classified service within twelve months next preceding the date of application? If so, state for what branches, for what positions, the date, and results. The different branches of the service are: Postoffice, Customs, Internal Revenue, Departmental, and Government Printing?

15. (a) Have you ever been barred from examination by this Commission? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, state when and for what reason.

(c) Give the date, place, and kind of examination for which you applied and in connection with which you were barred.

16. (a) Have you any other application on file for any branch of the classified service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, what branch and for what position?

(c) Is your name now on any register for appointment in any branch of the classified service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(d) If so, for what branch, in what city, and for what position? This does not apply to state or municipal service.

17. Are you now in the Government Civil Service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

18. (a) Were you ever separated from the Government Civil Service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, state when, from what position, what city, and branch of service, and whether you resigned or were discharged. Avoid any allusion to politics or to change of administration.

19. (a) Are you now in the Military or Naval Service of the United States? Answer “Yes” or “No.” Do not give service in the National Guard.

(b) Were you ever honorably discharged from the Military or Naval Service of the United States on account of disability resulting from wounds received or sickness incurred in the line of duty? If so, give the name of the vessel on which, or the company and regiment in which you served, with the dates of your enlistment and discharge.

(c) Give the exact name under which you enlisted and were discharged.

20. (a) What is your present place of abode.

(b) What is your present occupation, business, employment, or position.

(c) What was your place of abode (city or town, and State) during last year?

(d) What was your occupation, business, employment, or position during that year?

(e) What was your place of abode (city or town, and State) during the year preceding last year?

(f) What was your occupation, business, employment, or position during that year?

(g) What was your place of abode (city or town, and State) during the second year preceding last year?

(h) What was your occupation, business, employment, or position during that year?

21. Give the names and addresses of five persons, other than vouchers, to whom reference can be made as to your character and qualifications. One of these must reside in, or be engaged in business in the city or town in which you seek employment.

22. Have you been employed in any State or Municipal Service? Answer “Yes” or “No.” If so, when, where, and in what positions?

23. (a) Were you ever discharged on account of delinquency or misconduct from any position in which you were employed? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, state when, from what position, and by whom were you discharged.

24. Are each and all of the answers to the foregoing questions in your own handwriting? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

I hereby certify that the answers to the foregoing questions are true in every particular.

(Signature of Applicant) ............
(P. O. address) ..............

(The following oath must be taken before a Notary Public, or other officer authorized to administer oaths for general purposes, and the officer’s signature must be authenticated by official seal. If the oath be taken before a Justice of the Peace or other officer who has no official seal, his character must be certified by the Clerk of Court, Secretary of State, or other proper officer, under official seal.)

The Notary is requested to see that all the foregoing questions are answered in full before executing the jurat.

Sworn to and subscribed before me by the above-mentioned applicant, to me personally known, this ...... day of ................ 190..., at ........... county of ............................ and State (or Territory or District) ........................

(Signature of officer) ...................

(Official impressed seal.) (Official title) .........

The official seal must not be omitted.

Every applicant for examination must furnish the vouchers of two citizens of the United States, each of whom must be at least twenty-one years of age, and must have known the applicant for six months or more. Vouchers will not be accepted from the father, mother, sister, brother, husband, wife or child of the applicant, and not more than one voucher will be accepted from relatives of more remote degree.

No recommendations other than those provided for hereon will be accepted by the Commission.

Vouchers.

The following is a sample of the two vouchers; all answers made by vouchers must be in their own handwriting.

1. What is your own age? Age of voucher, not applicant, is wanted. If you so prefer, the statement that you are over 21 years of age is sufficient.

2. What is your occupation?

3. What is your business address in full?

4. What is your actual bona fide (legal) residence? City and State?

5. How long have you been such resident thereof?

6. How long have you been acquainted with the applicant?

7. Is the applicant addicted to the use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco, morphine, or opium? If so, to which?

8. Has the applicant ever been addicted to the use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco, morphine, or opium? If so, to which?

9. Is the applicant a person of good moral character, and of good repute?

10. Are you related to the applicant? If so, what is the relationship?

11. Are you aware of any circumstances tending to disqualify the applicant for the public service?

12. Would you yourself trust the applicant with employment requiring undoubted honesty?

13. What is the name of the applicant for whom you furnish this certificate? First name, middle initial, or initials, if there be any, and last name, should be correctly given.

The above questions are answered to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Signature of voucher) ......................

(P. O. address) .........................

Date, ............... 190 .

(Applicant will NOT fill the following blank.)

Final certificate of naturalization of ............. issued by the ............. Court of .............. on ............ I ............., was filed with this application by the applicant, and was found by me to be in due form in all respects. The certificate was returned to the applicant on ....... ........., 190....

(Initials) .................

CHAPTER VII.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

All applicants for the Postal Service must have this certificate executed.

Questions 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and the parenthetical part of question 13, are not required in the case of female applicants.

This certificate need not be executed for examinations at second and third class post offices. When the result of examinations at such offices is determined, the highest four eligibles will be required to furnish the certificate.

Applicants for the Postal Service (male and female) who are defective in any of the following-named particulars will not be appointed by that Department: Deaf-mutes, hunchbacks, persons having defective hearing, sight, or speech; persons totally blind or blind in one eye; one-armed, one-handed, or one-legged persons, or those having crippled arms or legs, and those suffering from asthma, consumption, or hernia. The applications of such persons will, therefore, not be accepted.

1. What is the applicant’s exact height in his bare feet? (The physician must himself measure and weigh the applicant.)

2. What is the applicant’s exact weight in his ordinary clothing, without overcoat or hat?

3. Did you yourself weigh and measure the applicant?

4. What is the condition of the applicant’s sight? (If possible, the test should be made with Snelen’s cards, and expressed in twentieths.)

If the applicant has any defect of sight in either eye, describe fully.

Is the defect in sight corrected by the use of glasses?

5. What is the condition of the applicant’s hearing? (State the distance, in feet, at which he can hear the ticking of a closed watch held in the open hand, testing each ear with the other plugged.)

If he has any defect of hearing of either ear describe fully.

6. What is the condition of the applicant’s speech? If he has any defect of speech describe fully.

7. What is the condition of the applicant’s limbs?

If he has any defect in either arm or in either leg describe fully, and state to what extent it interferes with the proper function of the limb.

(Varicose veins, ulcers, or any deformity should be specially reported.)

8. Has the applicant any rupture?

9. Has the applicant varicocele, hydrocele, internal or external piles, fistula in ano, or any cutaneous disease?

If so, describe the disease, and state to what extent the applicant is afflicted.

10. Has the applicant any defect in the functions of the brain or nervous system?

If so, describe the disease, and state to what extent the applicant is affected.

Has the applicant ever had an epileptic fit?

Is he subject to these attacks?

11. Give the measurements of the applicant’s chest:

At rest.

At full inspiration.

At full expiration.

12. Is the applicant’s respiration full, free, and unobstructed in both lungs?

If not, state to what extent obstructed.

13. State the frequency of the action of the applicant’s heart:

When sitting.

When standing.

When standing after brief exercise. (The applicant should be required to hop on one foot the distance of about 12 feet.)

14. Are there indications in the heart’s action of organic, muscular, or nervous derangement?

If so, describe fully.

15. Are there indications that the applicant is addicted to the excessive use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco, or narcotics in any form.

If so, describe fully.

16. Has the applicant any form of disease or disability which is likely to unfit him for the performance of the work of the position for which he applies?

17. State whether the applicant is capable of prolonged, severe, mental and physical exertion, and equal to the demands of a very exhausting occupation.

18. Are you a regularly licensed physician, and duly authorized by the laws of your State to practice medicine?

19. Of what medical institution are you a graduate?

This space is to be filled out by the applicant in his own handwriting, in the presence of the physician.

(Signature of applicant) ................

I certify that I have made a thorough examination of the above-named applicant, that each and all of the above answers are in my own handwriting and are true, and that the applicant wrote his signature just above in my presence.

(Signature of physician) ....................

(P. O. address of physician) ................

Date, ............., 190..

CHAPTER VIII.
THE EDUCATIONAL TEST.

Subjects and Weights and Specimens of Previous
Questions Asked.

Examinations for the Postal Service are of the second grade. Any person with a common school education should have no trouble in passing them. The average candidate, however, has been some years out of school and is very apt to be what we call “rusty.” In other words, to have forgotten much that he was taught at school concerning the subjects required. The wise thing for him to do, when he has made up his mind to take the examination, no matter whether the date of it is one month or six months away, the longer the better, is to improve his knowledge of each subject as much and as far as is possible. He must not content himself with just getting on the list, many of which are cancelled while yet there remain many names not reached for appointment, but do his utmost to win the highest possible rating.

The government service to-day, particularly the postal branch, is no place for indifferent, sluggish, or inefficient men. Though 70 per cent. is the passing mark to obtain a place on the list, it is a poor recommendation of a man’s intelligence and efficiency, or of his possible growth in these attainments. And really there is no excuse for a man who can read and write getting so low a percentage. It shows, more or less convincingly, that he was not diligent, that there was little or no earnestness in his purpose, and the average postmaster will not be over-eager to find a place for him.

The questions in each subject are simple, and any man of ordinary education can, unaided by outside instructors, fit himself to obtain 90 per cent. with ease. A few simple text books, and steady, pains-taking study during leisure hours are all that are necessary. A postal card to THE CHIEF will promptly bring to you a list of books covering each subject, each book prepared by an expert on civil service.

Applicants are notified of the date and place of an examination at least two weeks in advance of the time set.

Subjects of Examination.

The table given below indicates the subjects of the examination and the weights given to each:

The following are specimen questions given at a previous examination.

First Subject—Spelling.

Twenty words are dictated by the examiner. Each word is pronounced and its definition given. The competitor is required to write only the words and not their definitions, and to write them in the blank spaces on the first sheet of the examination paper. All words should be commenced with capital letters.

Opponent: One who opposes; as, a political opponent.

President: The Chief Executive of the United States.

Conqueror: One who conquers.

Wholesome: Healthful; as, wholesome food.

Achieve: To gain; as, to achieve success.

Tranquil: Quiet or peaceful.

Detach: To separate or remove; as, to detach a leaf from a book.

Expensive: Very costly.

Decease: Death; as, a person’s decease.

Noticeable: Worthy of notice; as, a noticeable occasion.

Suspicious: Exciting suspicion; as, a suspicious circumstance.

Terrace: A raised bank of earth.

Rapping: Making a number of quick blows.

Language: The speech of a people; as, the English language.

Schedule: A list or inventory; as, a schedule of prices.

Tying: Binding or fastening with a cord.

Vulgar: Low or mean.

Course: A way or track; as, a race course.

Salary: A stated allowance paid for services.

Chicago: A city in the United States.

Second Subject—Arithmetic.

In solving problems the processes should be not merely indicated, but all the figures necessary in solving each problem should be given in full. The answer to each problem should be indicated by writing “Ans.” after it.

1. Add the following, and from the sum subtract 32,885,696 (here will be given a short column of figures).

2. Multiply 7-2/25ths by 36.8, and divide the product by 1.92. Solve by decimals.

3. A carrier can assort 43 letters or 37 papers in a minute. At this rate, how many hours will it take him to assort 3,655 letters and 185 pounds of papers, averaging 7 papers to the pound?

4. A lot which was 53 feet wide and 150 feet long sold for $8,347.50, which was one-fourth more than it cost. What was the cost per square foot?

5. In a certain mail there are 294 pounds 14 ounces of newspapers weighing at the rate of 3 papers to every 7 ounces. How many papers are there in the mail? 16 ounces equals one pound.

Problems In Earlier Examinations.

If a railroad car runs 41-1/2 miles per hour, how far would it go in 12 days running 10-1/2 hours per day?