Engineering Examinations.

As usual, examinations for engineering positions and those of a like character have formed a very large part of the work of the examinations division, but it is believed that a larger proportion of this work has been done in the office during the current year than during several previous years. It has been found necessary to secure but little outside assistance in this connection.

Condition of the Work on December 31st.

For the first time since 1902 the Chief Examiner is able to report that all examinations held during the current year have been completed and reported upon at this date.

Special Features.

On March 31, 1910, the Commission classified the service of the following villages: Ossining, Port Chester, Peekskill, White Plains, Saratoga Springs, Batavia and Canandaigua, and for the first time in the history of this commission it became necessary to hold examinations similar to those held in the smaller cities, such as for patrolman, police department; superintendent of streets; sanitary inspector; water meter inspector; inspector of sewer construction, etc. Local examiners have been appointed in each village to take care of examinations held in these places, but all examinations for the position of patrolman or policeman have thus far been held under the direct supervision of the Chief Examiner or assistant examiner from Albany. The examination for policeman consisted of an easy written examination covering spelling, arithmetic, letterwriting, and plain copy, with a weight of four; age and physical development, four; experience and previous training, two. It is believed that this examination has resulted satisfactorily, candidates being required to be not less than five feet eight inches in height, and between the ages of twenty-one and forty years. In the case of many examinations, however, the competition was so extremely limited that candidates cannot be held to a very high standard of qualifications.

Examination for Stenographer.

Up to the year 1909, it had been found necessary to hold the stenographer examination twice a year, but after careful consideration of the subject the Chief Examiner deemed that, by making a few minor changes, better results could be accomplished. This seems to be proven by the fact that from the examination held in March, 1910, an eligible list of 150 males and 304 females was established on July 1, 1910, which has proved ample for all requirements and will furnish abundant material up to July 1, 1911, excepting that candidates can seldom be secured for positions in the State hospitals and institutions at low salaries.

Examinations for Game Protector.

For many years the position of game protector was classified in the non-competitive class because it was doubtful whether an examination could be devised which would bring out satisfactorily the qualifications demanded in such a position. The Chief Examiner is of the opinion, however, that the examination as now constituted is calculated to meet the requirements of the situation with satisfaction, and no complaints have been heard. This examination consists of an easy test in spelling, letterwriting and arithmetic, with a weight of four, questions on the game law, weight six, together with a rating for experience and personal qualifications with a weight of ten. During the year 1910, examinations have been held for thirty counties, and with few exceptions there has been abundant competition. It is believed that the Forest, Fish and Game Commissioner has been able to select from the eligible registers men well qualified for this position.

High Grade Positions.

Among the high grade and high salaried positions for which examinations have been held during 1910 are the following: Director of Laboratories, State Department of Health, $3,000 per annum; Transfer Tax Appraiser, New York and Kings counties, $4,000; Medical Superintendent, Letchworth Village, $4,500 with maintenance for the superintendent and family (Letchworth Village is the new State institution for the feeble-minded and epileptic,

located at Thiells, Rockland county, N. Y.); Court and Trust Fund Examiner, $5 to $15 a day when employed; Examiner of Municipal Accounts, $5 to $15 a day when employed; Assistant Actuary, Insurance Department, $3,000; First Assistant to Chief of Liquidation Bureau, Insurance Department, $3,000; Bank Examiner, $8 to $10 a day when employed; Chief of Examinations Division, Education Department, $4,000; Satisfaction Clerk, Register's Office, New York county, $3,400; Inspector of Farms, Department of Agriculture, $1,800 to $3,000; Chief Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture, $3,000; Mechanical Engineer, Public Service Commission, First District, $2,401 to $3,000; Superintendent, Iola Sanitorium, $3,000 (this institution is the county tuberculosis hospital of Monroe county); Examiner, Board of Alienists, State Commission in Lunacy, $5,000.

Examination for County Sealer of Weights and Measures. As provided by chapter 187 of the Laws of 1910, this official in each county" shall be appointed by the board of supervisors and hold office during the pleasure of such board. He shall be paid a salary determined by the board of supervisors, and shall be provided by them with the necessary working equipment of standard weights and measures." The Commission classified this position in the competitive class and examinations have been held for thirty-five counties. While it has been difficult in some sections of the State to secure satisfactory competition, yet it is believed on the whole that the competitive classification of this position was wise, and that satisfactory results have been obtained.

More Room Needed.

The Chief Examiner desires to call the Commission's attention to the limited amount of space assigned to the office force; fourteen persons now work in a room in which not more than half that number should be placed. More room is needed in order to leave sufficient space for free movement, accommodation of furniture such as desks, tables, files, etc., and for additional free space needed in order to perform with accuracy and speed the work necessary in assorting and neostyle printing and especially in the packing of examination papers for shipment, work which must necessarily

be done in one afternoon and which requires the greatest care and attention. The floor space assigned to the use of the Commission should be increased by at least 50 per cent.

Examination Manual.

Although the last Legislature gave the Commission an appropriation for printing a manual of examinations it has been found impossible to undertake its preparation owing to lack of opportunity. The time of every employee of the examinations division has been engrossed with routine work so as to leave no opportunity for the preparation of the manual.

Needs of the Examinations Division.

At the suggestion of the Chief Examiner the Commission has included in its estimates for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1911, provision for another examiner. It is to be hoped that the Legislature will grant the added appropriation necessary for this appointment, as the constant growth of the work of the examinations division renders absolutely necessary the employment of an additional high grade employee. There is room for improvement in the system of promotion examinations, but no more useful scheme can be devised, no system more satisfactory or helpful to heads of departments can be put into effect without a more intimate and careful study of department needs and a thorough investigation into individual and general departmental efficiency. This cannot be undertaken by the Chief Examiner with the limited force and appropriations now at his command; more men are needed and more money must be spent in order to introduce methods in keeping with the advance of ideas and ideals in civil service administration.

With rare exceptions, civil service rules are regarded by appointing officers as a hindrance, not a help; as a limitation and restriction upon their legitimate powers of appointment and removal, and undoubtedly they are such in a sense, but after twenty-seven years of the administration of such rules appointing officers and the public at large are demanding that more emphasis be placed upon the helpful phase of civil service reform; the administration of a civil service system along the lines of twenty-five years ago

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cannot now be justified; a system which seems to succeed mainly in interposing barriers to prompt and efficient administration will and ought to be repudiated. When civil service rules exert a pressure upon the front end by restricting appointment and upon the rear end by limiting removal, it is no wonder that the service buckles" in the middle. There seems to be no doubt that the great problem now before the Commission as well as others concerns the service proper- the middle the problems of reclassification, retirement, promotion, efficiency and economy are most vital at present. Without a retirement system the service stagnates; a promotion system which does not absolutely exclude all considerations except merit and fitness discourages individual effort; unequal pay for equal work breeds discontent, while economy and efficiency are the watchwords of municipal reform fostered by various associations and increasingly demanded by the public at large.

It should be repeated that advance along new lines requires increased appropriations.

The usual tables of statistics are in preparation, and will be included in the appendices of the report.

Respectfully submitted,

H. N. SAXTON,

Chief Examiner.