sight, hearing, heart, lungs and certain movements, to determine the mobility of the joints. Any evidence of alcoholism, hernia, enlargement or inflammation of the joints, obesity, senility or accute chronic diseases which would render the applicant unfit to perform the duties applied for, was considered a good cause for rejection. Interviews with the several Heads of Departments, and communications received from them, have expressed satisfaction with the eligibles which have been certified by this Commission. The mechanics have proven particularly satisfactory.

In a communication from the Superintendent of Buildings of the Board of Education, Mr. Snyder expresses himself as more than satisfied with the Inspectors, and has no suggestion to make for improvement. Letters were also received from the various City Departments at the time of the passage of Chapter 428 of the Laws of 1897, speaking most highly of employes obtained from the eligible list of the Commission. The efficiency of the

eligibles is also evidenced by the fact that but few persons appointed from the eligible list have been dismissed during the probationary period.

Amendments to the Regulations have effected excellent results, and may be noted as follows: The authority given to the Commission to incorporate rules (Regulation 3), has placed it within the power of the Commission to more effectually enforce the Regulations.

The classifying in Schedule "A" (Regulation 4) positions subject to noncompetitive examination permits an examination to determine the ability of a candidate seeking appointment, when heretofore no examination was required, and also provides for a distinct line between competitive and noncompetitive positions. Regulation 4 providing that Schedule "A" shall include all positions not subject to competitive examination, and Regulation 7 providing that all positions in Schedules "B" to "F" not filled by promotion, shall be filled in open competitive examination.

The changes made in the form of the certifiers certificate require a more scrutinizing inquiry into an applicant's character, and thereby points are brought out which otherwise might be overlooked.

The conduct of examinations was more clearly defined by rules established pursuant to Regulation 3. Any violation of the Regulations or Rules were made punishable by the provisions of Regulation 2, which provides that "any violation shall be considered a good cause for the dismissal of such person from the service." Heretofore the Commissioners had no power to enforce such action.

In all exclusions from examinations, it is required that report must be made to the Commission, thus assuring no unfairness to candidates.

All oral examinations must be taken stenographically, and questions and answers thereto transcribed and preserved with the examination papers of the candidate.

Rating is made with no knowledge of the candidate's name. Eligible lists are kept in book form, and a complete history of each and every candidate is recorded.

The first person on the list is, as a rule, appointed. When exception to this rule has occurred, it has at no time been based upon the ground of bad character, but for the reason that the person certified did not possess some special qualification which was requisite to fill the particular position. In each and every case where a name has been passed, a full report has been made to the Commission, and entered upon its minutes.

Every effort has been made to keep the number of eligible lists as much reduced as possible. Regulation 30, which provides "that when requisition is made upon an eligible list which is exhausted, or to fill a newly-created position, certification may be made from some other eligible list on hand, wherein the qualifications demanded have been determined," has greatly aided in keeping the eligible lists reduced, and not necessitated the extra expense

and loss of time in preparing new lists. This has also prevented evasion of the present eligible lists. Regulation 32, giving authority to the Commission to extend the time during which an eligible list shall be in force, has proved most effectual, and has saved time and expense.

The Regulations as to promotion have been closely observed, and competitive examinations for promotion have been required or certificate furnished that the person certified for promotion was the only one eligible in the next lower grade.

Transfers have only been made pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 42.

The number of dismissals has been very small in proportion to the appointments, and the reasons for dismissal have been certified to the Commission.

Reinstatements have been made only in full observance of Regulation 45.

Appeals have always received prompt and careful consideration, and reported in full to the Commission.

Visitors have at all times been courteously entertained, and waited upon, and furnished full information.

Twenty thousand copies of the Rules and Regulations have been distributed and all amendments to same published in two issues in the City Record, and distributed, and otherwise notice given in the daily papers.

All examinations are set from ten to thirty days in advance, and broadly published. Continuous notice of examinations is given in the City Record, and all new examinations are published in the daily papers. Whenever the examination to be held is of

a technical or professional nature, the Technical Journals are notified. Wherever examination applies to the trades, the Trade Union representing that particular line of trade is sent notice.

For the past year it has been the practice to have printed slips made of examinations which are distributed throughout the City.

Wherever an examination has been advertised, and less than three candidates make application, the examination has been canceled, and postponed, and readvertised, in order to secure a larger number of candidates to compete, and that the public may have more opportunity to observe the advertisement.

It will be shown in the Statistical Report, that the examinations have this year exceeded by over a thousand, those examined in 1896. The number of appointments have largely increased, and in the number of dismissals there has been a decrease.

The showing made by the increased work is evidence of the confidence the public has in the Commission. The increase of work has entailed additional expense, and, therefore, it has been found necessary, in order to continue examinations, to ask the Board of Estimate and Apportionment for the additional appropriation of five hundred ($500) dollars, which was granted.

The appropriation for 1897 has, therefore, amounted in the aggregate to $30,500. The pay-roll of the General Office averages $1,157.20 per month, which includes $315, the salary account of the Labor Bureau. The pay-roll of the Examining Department averages $1,193.57 per month.

Respectfully submitted,

S. WILLIAM BRISCOE,

Secretary and Executive Officer.

Report of Labor Clerk.

December 6, 1897.

S. WILLIAM BRISCOE, Esq., Secretary New York City Civil Service:

DEAR SIR.I desire to present for your consideration a brief statement of the work of the Labor Bureau for the year 1897.

All

We have succeeded, by the application of more severe test in physical examinations, in elevating the standard of eligibles, and are enabled to present a much better class of men, in point of muscular condition, for certification as laborers or mechanics. applicants are now subjected to the system adopted by your Commission on March 4th, last, giving particular attention to the matter of agility and to evidence of senility and immobility of joints, and to acute and chronic diseases which might render candidates unfit for service. To this end a sufficient number of applicants were summoned for re-examination to enable us to fill requisitions, and, incidentally, to purge the lists of all who, by change of residence and other causes, would be unavailable for service. This operation has been repeated as often as the demands of the system require.

The examinations as to technical proficiency in the New York Trade School have been held as often as necessary, with most satisfactory results. The elimination of all theoretical questions in these examinations has also met with general approval, and the tests now applied are "thoroughly practical in their character." The eligible list of machinist, ship caulker, ship carpenter and wheelwright having been transferred from Schedule F to G, are extended until exhausted, and practical examinations may be ar