EXAMINATIONS IN HAWAII. As anticipated in my previous report, the Commission's system of examinations was inaugurated in the Hawaiian Islands during the latter part of the year. Commissioner Rodenberg and the chief examiner visited the islands, arriving there June 13, and immediately visited the different points that seemed necessary, conferred with the local officers, and announced the holding of a number of examinations for general and local services. These examinations were held on July 5 and 6, and about 125 persons were examined. Arrangements were made at this time for the establishment of the free-delivery service at the Honolulu post-office, and the necessary examinations were held to provide eligibles for this and also for the customs service in the Hawaiian district. As the islands had enjoyed a merit service under the Hawaiian Republic, the United States system was heartily welcomed, and the local officials left nothing undone to aid the Commission's representatives in their work. A joint board of examiners was organized for the islands, with headquarters at Honolulu, and an auxiliary branch at Hilo, at both of which places hereafter all general examinations may be held. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES REQUIRED. The chief examiner desires to again express his regret that Congress has not granted to the Commission a much larger appropriation, both for ordinary examination expenses and for salaries of additional examiners, as with the present limited appropriations it has been impossible to conduct the examining work of the Commission in a satisfactory manner and great delays have been unavoidable. While the chief examiner and his assistants on the Commission's force have endeavored in every possible way to secure the best results from the appropriations granted, yet this part of the Commission's duties would have been much more satisfactorily performed if more adequate appropriations might have been available. With the paucity of reference books and other aids at hand for use in preparing examination tests and rating the papers of competitors, the chief examiner is of the opinion that better results have been secured than were to be anticipated when the embarrassments under which the work has been prosecuted are considered. It is especially regretted that means have not been provided for two special agents, or field examiners, as heretofore recommended, who might be available at all times for assignment to the important work of the Commission outside of Washington. In the opinion of the chief examiner, nothing would add more to the value and efficiency of the examining work of the Commission than the ability to keep two expert special examiners continually employed in instructing and aiding the local boards of examiners, which are the Commission's agents throughout the country. This opportunity is taken to express the keen appreciation of all of the efforts that have been made by that part of the Commission's force which has been assigned to the chief examiner, and particularly by the many persons, employees of other departments, who have been assigned to assist in connection with the examination work during the past year. Departmental officials have been uniformly generous in their cooperation along this line, and the Commission is indebted to them for a very large proportion of the success which has attended its examination work during the year. However, it is hoped that some time in the near future Congress in its wisdom may see its way clear to provide facilities more nearly adequate for the tremendous increase in the Commission's work which has occurred during the last six or seven years. During this time the number of appointments through examination has increased from about 4,000 to more than 10,000 per annum, and the number of classified positions from a little over 30,000 to more than 100,000, and yet no additional employees have been provided by Congress to assist in meeting the demands upon the chief examiner's office occasioned by this enormous increase in the classified service. Very respectfully submitted. A. R. SERVEN, Chief Examiner. HISTORICAL REGISTER OF THE UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. COMMISSIONERS: JOHN R. PROCTER, Kentucky, President. A. RALPH SERVEN, Chief Examiner. List of Commissioners, chief examiners, and secretaries since 1883. Mr. Doyle was appointed stenographer to the Commission March 9, 1883, and promoted upon appointment by the President from that position to Secretary. |