PART II.-REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXAMINER. Page. Synopsis of the work performed in the chief examiner's office during the year ended June 30, 1897 .. 73 Supervision of examinations.. Attempts at frauds in examinations.. Efforts to promote the work in connection with examinations.... 80 81 81 APPENDIX TO CHIEF EXAMINER'S REPORT. APPENDIX A. 1. Questions used in general application for examination 2. Supplementary certificate for scientific, professional, or technical examinations. 3. Supplementary certificate for the trades and skilled occupations 4. Questions used for surfman examination, Life-Saving Service . APPENDIX B. 1. Examinations which include experience and tests of general or special information 2. Examinations which include only experience and physical ability. APPENDIX C. 1. Examinations requiring special prerequisites..... 2. Examinations for which special physical tests are required... APPENDIX D. Tables furnishing information concerning examinations held during the year ended June 30, 1897, and statistics regarding the competitors in such examinations. [Appendix D appears in Part VII, Statistical Information, pp. 427-465, 71 PART II.-REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXAMINER. To the Commission: I have the honor to submit the following report for the year ended June 30, 1897, in accordance with the regulation of the Commission which requires the chief examiner to make an annual report of the work done under his supervision, and of its results: During the year ended June 30, 1897, the application division received and dis posed of mail matter estimated at 237,000 pieces in reference to information about examinations. The correspondence resulted in the approval of 52,108 applications, distributed among the different branches of the service, and the necessary arrangements for the examination of the applicants. The number of examinations arranged for at different times and places throughout the country for the accommodation of these applicants was 2,591, of which 907 were for the departmental and Government printing services, 1,333 for the post-office service, 134 for the Internal Revenue Service, and 217 for the custom-house service. During the year 82 boards of examiners were organized and instructed at different points, and at 18 cities the boards representing the different branches of the service were consolidated into joint boards, relieving 52 persons from such duty. The number of local boards on June 30, 1897, was about 850. During the report year the examining division has prepared the necessary questions for the examination of 50,856 competitors for the classified service and the District of Columbia, distributed as follows: The number of sets of examination papers graded by that division during the same time was 33,561. The number of sets on hand unmarked at the close of business on June 30, 1897, was 17,486. During the previous year 31,139 applicants were examined, making an increase for the past year of 19,408. The number of competitors examined on schedule dates during the first half of the past year was 12,011. The number examined at corresponding dates during the last half of the year was 33,587. These figures, with the number of competitors in the special examinations, show that several thousand more persons were examined from January 1 to June 30, 1897, than during the entire previous year. While there has been considerable complaint in regard to the failure of competi tors to be informed as to their standing in these examinations, it is believed that the above figures will fully explain that delay. It should be noted that during the year which ended June 30, 1893, when the former change in administration occurred, but 24,838 competitors were examined, yet at that time similar complaints of delay |