Chapter XXX: Section 1754: applies to all branches of the service, in Washington, D (21)

A carpet sweeper or a vacuum cleaner should be used in the daily cleaning of carpets and rugs. A vacuum cleaner operated by hand or electric power removes practically all the dust and dirt from carpets and rugs in a dustless manner.

PLAN No. 829. BASKET BOARDERS

During the war people have been thrown upon their own resources and many methods of making a living have been attempted. Many suggestions have been given by the United States Department of Agriculture as to plans which would be feasible for making a living.

One suggestion is a plan followed by a New York woman. She had a small income but it was not sufficient to care for herself and small child. She arranged to board and room 15 girls and boys from the farm. And this board and room was paid with baskets of provisions from the farm from each of the children’s parents.

She conducted her home on a dormitory plan of a college. Each of the students took care of their own rooms and spent their week ends with their parents at which time their washing was taken along or sent to the city laundry at the expense of the student.

This idea has wonderful possibilities. There are thousands of boys and girls from the farms that cannot go to High School because of the lack of ready cash. But if a woman who can furnish the best of references will charge them $10 a month and a weekly basket of provisions from their farms it would be possible for them to have a High School or College education. With fifteen children this would mean an income of $150 a month and the lady could figure out what kind of provisions from week to week she needed and have the boys and girls regulate their baskets accordingly. If it was not practical for the boys and girls to return to the farms to bring baskets in person the baskets could easily be sent in by parcel post.

Any woman who has a family and is unable to go out to work can make a good income in this way as well as do a great favor to the boy and girl on the farm.

This is a good way for thousands of town and city families to escape the high cost of living and take from the farmer what he has to pay with--i. e., food for the education of his children.

OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC OFFICE

There are many opportunities in public office in every city, and county in the United States.

Many a man with a dark outlook, if familiar with the many opportunities in public service, might find awaiting him just the kind of work he likes best.

In this field there is work from the most ordinary labor to the professions. Activities of the city, county, state and national government each year create opportunities which should not be overlooked by those who desire employment or who already have employment and desire work more in accord with their tastes. There is, perhaps, no more ideal work one can be engaged in. In public service you work under the best conditions and the workers do not sacrifice their liberties, and the hours and pay are good. Civil Service is now used by many city governments, which insures permanency. The Government every year offers great opportunities to workers through Civil Service which is set forth in Plan No. 217.

As space in this book will not permit me to enumerate the many opportunities given by governments in all cities, counties and states, I have taken the City of Spokane, County of Spokane, State of Washington, as an illustration and from this it will be easy for you to check up the opportunities in your own locality.

This brief of public affairs will be suggestive to those people who desire to enter public service as a career, as from this they can determine what work best suits their abilities.

The City of Spokane has been for a number of years under the commission form of government. The people elect five men at $3,500 each to run the affairs of the city. These men direct the affairs of the city much like the manager of a business. The salaries encourages good business ability to contest for these offices. Each commissioner is given a department and each department has a certain number of divisions, which are as follows: Those with a star before the name are either named by the commissioner at the head of the department or by the five commissioners together. Those names before which no star appears are covered by the Civil Service Board. If the office is appointive the thing for you to do is to get in touch with the party who gives appointments. Each division in the city departments offer opportunity for various kinds of service, the nature of which is shown. Your city offers like opportunities.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

PLAN No. 830. HEALTH DIVISIONS

* Health Officer, named by Health Board $300.00 per month.
* Assistant Health Officer 210.00 „ „
Clerk 120.00 „ „
Associated Clerk 100.00 „ „
Office Attendant 70.00 „ „
Public Health Nurse 90.00 „ „

SANITARY INSPECTION

Sanitary Inspector (collects milk samples) $100.00 per month.
Sanitary Inspector 100.00 „ „
Intelligence Officer 100.00 „ „
Emergency Inspectors, as needed 4.00 „ day.

QUARANTINE

Quarantine Officer $120.00 per month.

FOOD REGULATION

Milk Inspector $132.50 per month.
Bacteriologist 150.00 „ „
Food Inspector (meat) 115.00 „ „
Restaurant and Bakery Inspector 105.00 „ „
Food Inspector 115.00 „ „

ISOLATION HOSPITAL--RIVERCREST

Superintendent $ 90.00 per month.
G. U. Nurse 70.00 „ „
Nurses, as needed 65.00 „ „

Utility Man $ 80.00 per month.
Housekeeper 70.00 „ „
Assistant Housekeeper 50.00 „ „
[10]Steward and Assistant 135.00 „ „
Extra labor as needed 4.00 „ day.

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL

Chief Steward $125.00 per month.
First Assistant Steward 115.00 „ „
Second Assistant Steward 105.00 „ „

[10] It is provided that the Health Officer may, in his discretion,
apportion this monthly salary between the steward and assistant,
provided the aggregate salaries of both shall not exceed $135 per
month.

PLAN No. 831. CITY HALL DIVISION

Elevator Operators $ 85.00 per month.
Utility Man, additional 25.00 „ „
Janitors 90.00 „ „
Telephone Operators 95.00 „ „
Substitutes at above rates.

PLAN No. 832. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES DIVISION

* Inspector $132.50 per month.

PLAN No. 833. LABOR AGENT’S DIVISION

* Labor Agent $165.00 per month.
Assistant, male 115.00 „ „
Assistant, female 85.00 „ „

PUBLIC MARKET

Market Master as needed $ 85.00 per month.

DENTAL CLINIC

School Dentist, nine and one-half months $ 85.00 per month.

MUNICIPAL FISH MARKET

Salesman $100.00 per month.
Salesman 90.00 „ „

PLAN No. 834. CREMATORY DIVISION

* Superintendent $200.00 per month.
Assistant Superintendent 120.00 „ „
Night Foreman 110.00 „ „
Bookkeeper 110.00 „ „
Collector 95.00 „ „

HOUSEHOLD AND TRADE REFUSE COLLECTION

Barnman $100.00 per month.
Blacksmith 115.00 „ „
Utility Man 115.00 „ „
Night Laborers 5.00 „ day.
Day Laborers 5.00 „ „

REFUSE DISPOSAL

Engineer $105.00 per month.
Fireman 100.00 „ „
Mechanics, as needed Going wage.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

PLAN No. 835. COMMISSIONER’S DIVISION

* Secretary $140.00 per month.
Stenographer-Permit Clerk 120.00 „ „

PLAN No. 836. FIRE DIVISION

* Chief $225.00 per month.
Assistant Chiefs 175.00 „ „
Electrician 175.00 „ „
Secretary 140.00 „ „
Master Mechanic 160.00 „ „
Linemen 125.00 „ „
Telephone Operators 85.00 „ „
Captains 135.00 „ „
Lieutenants 125.00 „ „
Engineers 130.00 „ „
Truckmen, Drivers and Pipemen:
First year service $100.00 „ „
Second year service 110.00 „ „
Third year service 120.00 „ „
Firemen assigned to shop work, additional 5.00 per month.
Officers as fire inspectors downtown,
additional 5.00 „ „

PLAN No. 837. POLICE DIVISION

* Chief $225.00 per month.
Secretary 140.00 „ „
Clerk 110.00 „ „
Stenographer 100.00 „ „
Captain of Detectives 160.00 „ „
Captains of Police 150.00 „ „
Sergeants 130.00 „ „
Plain Clothes Men 130.00 „ „
Bailiff 120.00 „ „
Bertillon Officer 140.00 „ „
License Officer (Inspector) 120.00 „ „
Patrol Chauffeurs 120.00 „ „
Emergency Chauffeurs 110.00 „ „
Alarm Operators 85.00 „ „
Police Woman 50.00 „ „
Patrolmen:
First year service 100.00 „ „
Second year service 110.00 „ „
Third year service 120.00 „ „
Special Police, as needed 4.00 „ day.
Jailers 120.00 per month.
Matrons 95.00 „ „

BUILDING INSPECTION

* Building Inspector $175.00 per month.

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION

* Electrical Inspector $160.00 per month.
* Assistant Electrical Inspector 140.00 „ „

PLUMBING INSPECTION

* Plumbing Inspector $160.00 per month.

BOILER AND ELEVATOR INSPECTION

* Boiler and Elevator Inspector $160.00 per month.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

PLAN No. 838. COMMISSIONER’S DIVISION.

* Superintendent and Assistant to the
Commissioner $200.00 per month.

CITY LABORATORY

City Chemist $160.00 per month.
Assistant Chemist 125.00 „ „

WATER DIVISION

* Superintendent $300.00 per month.
Chief Accountant 135.00 „ „
Bookkeeper (Class A) 135.00 „ „
Clerk to Superintendent 120.00 „ „
Bookkeeper (Class B) 120.00 „ „
Storekeeper 120.00 „ „
Civil Engineer 140.00 „ „
Draftsman and Estimator 130.00 „ „
Chief Rate Clerk 140.00 „ „
Assistant Cashier 130.00 „ „
Bookkeeper, consumers accounts 135.00 „ „
Ledger Clerks 120.00 „ „
Permit Clerk 120.00 „ „
Counter Clerk 110.00 „ „
Bill Clerk 90.00 „ „
Addressograph Clerk 80.00 „ „
Stenographer 80.00 „ „
Chief of Meter Bureau 150.00 „ „
Meter Bureau Clerk 100.00 „ „
Meter Shop Foreman 120.00 „ „
Meter Inspectors 110.00 „ „
Meter Readers 100.00 „ „
Meter Repair Men 100.00 „ „
Chief Inspector 135.00 „ „
Assistant inspector 120.00 „ „
Inspectors 105.00 „ „
Repair and Yard Foreman 130.00 „ „
Tapping Foreman 125.00 „ „
Clerk at Meter Building 105.00 „ „
Chief Engineer 150.00 „ „
Assistant Engineers 130.00 „ „
Chief Electrical Engineer 150.00 „ „
Assistant Electrical Engineers 130.00 „ „
Engineer, Lincoln Heights Station 115.00 „ „
Pump Tenders 110.00 „ „

The Superintendent of Water Division may employ the following when needed:

Foreman $6.00 per day.
Assistant Foreman 5.50 „ „
Caulkers and Tappers 4.60 „ „
Powdermen 4.60 „ „
Blacksmith Helpers 4.50 „ „
Truck Drivers 4.50 „ „
Inspectors 4.25 „ „
Laborers 4.00 „ „
Mechanics Going wage.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

PLAN No. 839. COMMISSIONER’S DIVISION

* Superintendent $170.00 per month.
Improvement Clerk-Stenographer 132.50 „ „
Bookkeeper 137.50 „ „
Cost and Distribution Clerk 132.50 „ „

PLAN No. 840. ENGINEERING DIVISION

* City Engineer $300.00 per month.
Chief Field Engineer 167.50 „ „
Chief Office Engineer 167.50 „ „
Sewer Engineer 140.00 „ „
Instrument Man 127.50 „ „
Draftsman 137.50 „ „
Chief Clerk 140.00 „ „
Counter Clerk 120.00 „ „
Abstract Clerk 120.00 „ „
Chainmen, as needed 100.00 „ „
Improvement Inspectors, as needed 4.50 „ day.
Bridge Foreman, as needed 6.00 „ „
Bridgemen, as needed Going Wage.

PLAN No. 841. SEWER DIVISION

Superintendent $132.50 per month.
Inspector 110.00 „ „
Sewer Men, as needed 4.25 „ day.

ASPHALT PLANT

* Superintendent $175.00 per month.
Plant Foreman, as needed 5.50 „ day.
Plant Engineer, as needed Going wage.
Blacksmiths, as needed 5.00 per day.
Watchmen, as needed 4.00 „ „
Roller Engineer, as needed Going wage.
Surface Heater Engineer, as needed „ „
Rakers, as needed 5.00 per day.
Tampers, as needed 4.50 „ „
Smoothers, as needed 4.50 „ „
Utility Man, as needed 4.50 „ „
Teamsters, as needed 7.00 „ „
Laborers, as needed 4.00 „ „
Auto Truck Drivers, as needed 4.50 „ „
Mechanics, as needed Going wage.

PLAN No. 842. GARAGE DIVISION

Foreman $150.00 per month.
Mechanics, as needed Going wage.
Apprentices, as needed „ „
Blacksmith, as needed 5.00 per day.

PLAN No. 843. STREET DIVISION

* Superintendent $160.00 per month.
Street Foreman 115.00 „ „
Utility Men, as needed 4.00 „ day.
Tractor Drivers, as needed 5.50 „ „
Roller Engineer, as needed Going wage.
Auto Truck Drivers, as needed 4.50 per day.
Teamsters, as needed 7.00 „ „
Team Drivers, as needed 4.00 „ „
Laborers, as needed 4.00 „ „
Mechanics, as needed Going wages.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

PLAN No. 844. CITY TREASURER’S DIVISION

* City Treasurer $220.00 per month.
Cashier 165.00 „ „
Tax Clerk (Class A) 130.00 „ „
Tax Clerks (Class B) 120.00 „ „
Assistant Bookkeeper 125.00 „ „
Bond and Warrant Clerk 125.00 „ „

PLAN No. 845. CITY AUDITOR’S DIVISION

* City Auditor $220.00 per month.
Deputy City Auditor 155.00 „ „
Deputy and Counter Clerk 132.50 „ „
Local Improvement Deputy 120.00 „ „
Assistant Bookkeeper 135.00 „ „
General Checker 165.00 „ „
Local Improvement Checker 135.00 „ „
Cage Checker 120.00 „ „

PLAN No. 846. PURCHASING AGENT’S DIVISION

* Purchasing Agent $220.00 per month.
Stenographer-Clerk 100.00 „ „
Storekeeper 120.00 „ „

DEPARTMENTS NOT UNDER INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER

PLAN No. 847. LEGAL DIVISION

* Corporation Counsel $5,000.00 per annum.
* First Assistant 250.00 „ month.
* Second Assistant 175.00 „ „
Clerk 120.00 „ „
* Claim Agent 130.00 „ „

PLAN No. 848. CITY CLERK’S DIVISION

* City Clerk $220.00 per month.
Deputy 130.00 „ „
Deputy 120.00 „ „

PLAN No. 849. CIVIL SERVICE DIVISION

* Secretary $130.00 per month.

PLAN No. 850. JUDICIARY DIVISION--UNDER THE MAYOR

* Police Judge $125.00 per month.
Police Court Clerk 90.00 „ „
Probation Officer 75.00 „ „

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

In the County, Civil Service does not apply, but your selection is largely dependent upon your political standing. Become an active man in your party and if you are fortunate in supporting a winner you will have employment. The county officers run as follows:

PLAN No. 851. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS--ELECTIVE

(Three in number at $3,000 per year.)

PLAN No. 852. JUDGES OF SUPERIOR COURT

(Five in number at $4,000 per year.)

PLAN No. 853. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

(Three in number at $1,800 each, per year, one of which is to be police judge, named by city and receives additional salary from city. Each justice names his own clerk.)

PLAN No. 854. CONSTABLES--ELECTIVE

(Three in number at $960 each per year.)

PLAN No. 855. COUNTY AGRICULTURIST

(Named by County Commissioner.)

Part Pay by Government $125.00 per month.
Part Pay by County 125.00 „ „
Counter 60.00 „ „

PLAN No. 856

Purchasing Agent (named by Commissioners) $160.00 per month.
Assistant Purchasing Agent 110.00 „ „

PLAN No. 857. HEATING AND LIGHTING

Custodian of Court House (Named by
Commissioners) $110.00 per month
Three Engineers (work eight hours) 110.00 „ „
Four Janitors 95.00 „ „
One Watchman 90.00 „ „
Telephone Operator 85.00 „ „
Relief Operator 20.00 „ „

PLAN No. 858

Steward--Jail (named by County
Commissioners) and board $110.00 per month.

PLAN No. 859. TUBERCULAR HOSPITAL

Edgecliff Lady Head Nurse $115.00 per month.
Bookkeeper 60.00 „ „
X-Ray (doctor) 75.00 „ „
Twelve Nurses 60.00 „ „
Four Cooks 40.00 „ „
Head Cook 85.00 „ „
Two Waitresses 45.00 „ „
Dishwasher 35.00 „ „
Waitress and Pantry Girl 16.00 „ „
Three Ward Maids 35.00 „ „
Three Hairdressers 35.00 „ „
Two Engineers 135.00 „ „
One Gardener 40.00 „ „
Two Janitors 40.00 „ „
Two Orderlies 40.00 „ „
County Carpenter 150.00 „ „

PLAN No. 860

County Auditor $3,000.00 per year.
Twenty Employees 125.00 „ month.

PLAN No. 861

County Treasurer $3,000.00 per year.
Twenty Employees 125.00 „ month.

PLAN No. 862

County Assessor $3,000.00 per year.
Twenty Employees 125.00 „ month.

PLAN No. 863

County Clerk $3,000.00 per year.
Fifteen Employees 125.00 „ month.

PLAN No. 864

County Sheriff $3,000.00 per year.
Fifteen Employees 125.00 „ month.

PLAN No. 865

County Prosecuting Attorney $3,000.00 per year.
Eight Employees 150.00 „ month.
County Prosecuting Attorney’s Stenographer 75.00 „ „

PLAN No. 866

County Superintendent of Schools $166.65 per month.
Two Employees 115.00 „ „
Department Superintendent 150.00 „ „

PLAN No. 867

Juvenile Court (named by Presiding Judge)
Eight Employees $100.00 per month.

PLAN No. 868

Chief Probation Officer $150.00 per month.
Chief Probation Officer Assistant 125.00 „ „
Stenographer 100.00 „ „

PLAN No. 869

County Commissioner $166.65 per month.
Clerk 150.00 „ „

PLAN No. 870. SPOKANE COUNTY INFIRMARY EMPLOYEES OR POOR FARM

(Named by County Commissioners)

Superintendent $160.00 per month.
Physician 100.00 „ „
Steward 90.00 „ „
Nurse 50.00 „ „
Cook 100.00 „ „
Engineer 90.00 „ „
Assistant Engineer and Laundry 60.00 „ „
Farmer 75.00 „ „
Milker 60.00 „ „

PLAN No. 871

County Coroner $100.00 per month.

PLAN No. 872

County Engineer $200.00 per month.
Fifteen Employees
Engineers $150.00 per month.
Draftsmen 140.00 „ „
Roadman 140.00 „ „

Each of the five Superior Court judges elected names his clerk, bailiff and court stenographers.

STATE GOVERNMENT

People generally are not aware of the great number of men and women employed by the State Government. The State of Washington is comparatively a young state and yet it employs at least two thousand people in its different departments. Abilities of every description are required.

The Governor has great power, as most of the different department heads are appointed by him. In some cases the state law limits him as to a certain number of appointments, but as a rule, the Governor is allowed to make all appointments.

If you desire to learn the nature of work you can apply to the secretary of the various departments.

The following offices not marked elective are filled by appointment.

PLAN No. 873. CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE (ELECTIVE)

U. S. Senators (2) $8,000.00 per year.
U. S. Representatives (5) 7,500.00 „ „

PLAN No. 874

Governor (elective) $6,000.00 per year.
Secretary to the Governor

PLAN No. 875

Lieutenant Governor (elective) $1,200.00 per year.

PLAN No. 876

Secretary of State (elective) $3,000.00 per year.
Assistant Secretary of State

PLAN No. 877

Auditor (elective) $3,000.00 per year.
Assistant State Auditor
Deputy State Auditor

PLAN No. 878

Treasurer (elective) $3,000.00 per year.
Deputy State Treasurer

PLAN No. 879

Attorney General (elective) $3,000.00 per year.
Assistant Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General

PLAN No. 880

Commissioner of Public Lands (elective) $3,000.00 per year.

PLAN No. 881

Insurance Commissioner (elective) $3,000.00 per year.
Deputy Insurance Commissioner
Actuary Insurance Department

PLAN No. 882

Superintendent Public Instruction
(elective) $3,000.00 per year.
Assistant Superintendent Public Instruction
Deputy Superintendent Public Instruction.

PLAN No. 883

Adjutant General $3,000.00 per year.
Assistant Adjutant General

PLAN No. 884. GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENTS

The following offices are filled by the Governor and the boards and commissions are partly, if not all, determined by him.

These different department Boards and Commissions employ many people in the state. There is hardly a type of work that is not to be found from the most ordinary labor to the professions. The number of people employed are more than 2,000.

STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Agricultural Commissioner
Secretary Agricultural Dept
Assistant Commissioner Division of Dairy and Live Stock
Assistant Commissioner Division of Foods, Feeds, Fertilizers, Drugs
and Oils (including inspection of bakeries)
Chief Deputy Oil Inspector
Assistant Commissioner of Horticulture
State Fair Secretary
Director of Farm Markets
State Labor Commissioner
State Librarian
Assistant State Librarian
Superintendent Traveling Library
State Fish Commissioner and Chief State Game Warden
Deputy State Game Warden
Coal Mine Inspector
Public Printer
Bank Examiner
Deputy Examiners
Hotel Inspectors
Fire Warden
Highway Commissioner
Assistant Highway Commissioner
State Geologist
State Chemists
State Commissioner of Health
State Fiscal Agency
State Superintendent of Weights and Measures
Deputy Superintendent of Weights and Measures
Inspector of Weights and Measures
Commissioner of Statistics
Deputy Commissioner of Statistics
Clerk of Supreme Court
Superintendent of Election Division
State Printing Expert
Hydraulic Engineer
Assistant Hydraulic Engineer
Agricultural Advisory Board
Board of Accountancy
Secretary
Board of Barber Examiners
Secretary
Board of Control
Secretary
Board of Dental Examiners
Secretary
Board of Education
Secretary
Board of Embalmers
Ex-officio Secretary
Board of Medical Examiners
Secretary
Board of Health and Vital Statistics
Secretary
Board of Optometry
Secretary
Board of Pharmacy
Secretary
Board of Chiropody
Bureau of Inspection and Supervision of Public Affairs
Secretary
State Labor Commissioner
Assistant State Labor Commissioner
Secretary
Forest Commission
Secretary
Industrial Insurance Commission
Secretary
Library Advisory Board
State Medical Aid Board
State Nautical Board
Nurses’ Examining Board
State Board of Park Commissioners
State Capitol Commission
Bar Examiners
Public Service Commission
Chief Grain Inspector
Industrial Welfare Commission
Tax Commissioner
Assistant Tax Commissioner
Uniform Legislation Commission
Veterinary Examining Board
State Humane Bureau
Board of Regents University of Washington
Board of Regents State College of Washington
Trustees State Normal School, Cheney
Trustees State Normal Schools, Bellingham
Trustees State Normal School, Ellensburg
State School for Deaf
State School for Blind
State Training School
State School for Girls
State Soldiers’ Home
Washington’s Veteran’s Home
Western Hospital for Insane
Eastern Hospital for Insane
Northern Hospital for Insane
State Penitentiary
State Institution for Feeble Minded
State Reformatory
Superintendent

U. S. GOVERNMENT

If you are out of employment it is well for you to examine carefully the activities of the Government in your city or county, or any place in the state where it may have general offices.

Any man who is out of work cannot say he has done his best to obtain employment when he has neglected looking up Government work.

Because the Civil Service applies to certain positions, do not let this stand in the way. Go to the head of the department in whatever locality it is and ascertain whether there are any possibilities of taking a Civil Service examination in the different departments; or find out whether there is not a temporary position that you can fill. This condition often exists and many times employment is obtained in this way and Civil Service Examination is given later.

READ OUR PLAN NO. 217 IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING PLANS

In Spokane, Spokane County, State of Washington, a town of about 125,000 population, the Government employs more than 600 men. I will take up the various departments of the Government in Spokane County and give you a statement concerning these different departments, which might assist you if you are desirous of obtaining employment which are also represented in your State.

PLAN No. 885. POSTAL DEPARTMENT

This department is headed by the postmaster, who receives a salary of $6,000 per year, and an assistant postmaster who receives $3,150. About two hundred employees work in this department. The rural route employs about ten men. The mail men in the city receive from $1,350 to $1,668 per annum. The Civil Service governs this department. The rural mail carriers receive from $1,100 to $1,600 per annum. They are also under Civil Service.

PLAN No. 886. SECRET SERVICE DEPARTMENT

There are two employed in this department. Their salaries range from $1,500 to $2,200 per year. These employees are appointed by the chief of the Secret Service, Washington, D. C., and confirmed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The title of this department is self-explanatory.

PLAN No. 887. U. S. MARSHAL IS APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE

This officer has four deputies. U. S. Marshal receives a salary of $4,000 per annum, while the deputies receive from $120 to $170 per month. This department names bailiffs for the Federal Judge.

PLAN No. 888. FEDERAL ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The attorney in charge is appointed by the President and confirmed by the senate and holds office for four years. He receives $4,500 per annum. He has one assistant, appointed by the Attorney General under advice of the District Court, who receives $1,800 per year.

PLAN No. 889. CUSTOM HOUSE INSPECTOR

There are two employed in this department--the man in charge and his assistant. The appointment is made by the Secretary of the Treasury at Washington, D. C. The salary received is $800.00 per annum. The office is subject to the Civil Service.

PLAN No. 890. IMMIGRATION OFFICER

This department is subject to the Civil Service, the salary received being $1,380. The man in charge attends to all immigration matters and also co-operates at different times with the Secret Service office.

PLAN No. 891. INTERNAL REVENUE AGENT

This department has four in its employ, who receive about $1,800 to $3,600 per year, and are called inspectors.

The business of this department is to investigate all income tax return. Civil Service applies.

PLAN No. 892. INTERNAL REVENUE COLLECTOR

There are four employed in this office. The Civil Service does not apply. The duties of the employees of this office are to collect about six-sevenths of all government tax in a certain territory. A pamphlet put out by this department deals with the law governing collection by the government. Salaries, $1,200 to $3,000.

PLAN No. 893. THE WEATHER BUREAU

This department is under Civil Service, there being three employed. People who know of the activities of this office and the information it furnishes concerning weather conditions realize its value to the farmers.

PLAN No. 894. CUSTODIAN OF THE FEDERAL BUILDING

This department is under Civil Service. The number of employees engaged is fifteen. Their duty is to look after the Federal Building in the city. There are six laborers who receive a salary of $800 or $840 per year. Charwomen, who work five hours a day, are paid at the same rate as the laborers. There are two watchmen at $840 per annum; one elevator conductor, salary approximately $840; one engineer at $1,320, and one assistant at $1,320.

PLAN No. 895. INSPECTOR OF LOCOMOTIVES

There are two inspectors in this department of the same rank; they receive $3,000 per year each. The appointment is made by the Interstate Commerce Commission at Washington, D. C. They employ together one office woman, who does all the clerical work, and their duties call them out of the office a great deal of the time. Their purpose is to see that all of the rules of the Interstate Commerce Commission are lived up to. A pamphlet or booklet is put out by this department giving all of the rules and regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission as to locomotives. These inspectors investigate all accidents and keep in close touch with all of the locomotives, safety appliances, etc., and in case of defects in locomotives, the matter is taken up at once with this department.

PLAN No. 896. BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

This is governed by the Civil Service Department. The salaries in this department run from $100 to $125 per month. There is one veterinary in charge, and three who act as inspectors. There are also five lay inspectors, grade number two, and four lay inspectors, grade number one.

It is the business of this department to examine all stock and meat. They make certain examinations prior to the death of the animal and post mortem subsequent to the death. The five lay inspectors, grade number two, look after and inspect the curing and shipping of all meats. The four lay inspectors, grade number one, assist veterinaries. One clerk is employed.

PLAN No. 897. BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES

There are two persons employed in this department under the Civil Service, one being the field agent and the other the stenographer and clerk. All information concerning crops in a certain territory is gathered together by the field agent and stenographer and forwarded to the Government to supply information for the Crop Reporter, which is sent out from Washington, D. C. The salaries in this department range from $100 to $125 per month.

PLAN No. 898. BUREAU OF MARKETS

This is a very interesting department. It has in its employ two telegraphers, receiving $1,400 per annum; three stencil cutters and persons who can run the mimeograph, who receive about $1,200 per year each. The person in charge must be able to decipher codes. One stenographer, one office boy and two general office workers are also employed. The General Chief Clerk, and his immediate subordinate receive $2,200 and $1,800 per annum respectively. There is also a special man sent out from Washington, D. C., who is on the road most of the time. This department issues a market report giving the price for farm produce at certain points where the farmer sells. It also gives the cost of handling the produce at other points and the price retailers ask. This shows the farmer the difference between his selling price and that of the retailer. A pamphlet called the Confidential Apple is also published and sent to all apple growers twice a week. This shows the price that apples are being sold for; also what the various farmers receive for the apples they dispose of. Since the Confidential Apple has been established, there has been only a few cents difference in the sale price of apples. Prior to that time there was frequently a difference as high as 50 or 60 cents which shows the great advantage of this service to the farmer.

This department also sends out a Post Card Reporting Service for Washington, Oregon and Montana. All carload shipments are recorded, showing the point from which cars are shipped. If a carload of apples was shipped last week from a certain town, it is indicated by a certain red pin on a map, and one can from this pin, find the entire history concerning that shipment of apples. Or if it is potatoes that have been shipped from a certain district, the clerk has that information at hand. All of this information is furnished to the farmer by the department and is of great assistance to him. It is also helpful to those buyers to whom it is important to know just where the crops are produced.

The man in charge of this department must make inspections when any question occurs as to the produce received by the wholesale houses or other persons who purchase from the farmer. This service is of great value to the farmer, because if he has sent in a load of good potatoes and the market has changed in the meantime, the inspector has to examine the potatoes, and if they are as good as represented by the farmer when they arrive, he will recover for any loss. Or, if a bad quantity of apples or other farm produce is shipped to the wholesale houses, they can call upon the government inspector and show what was forwarded to them, and this inspector’s opinion is a basis for settlement.

PLAN No. 899. HAY AND GRAIN INSPECTORS

There are two employees in this department--one clerk and one manager, both being subject to the Civil Service and receiving from $100 to $150 per month. A letter, called a Market Letter, is issued. The inspectors see to it that the rules governing hay and grain are lived up to by the farmer.

PLAN No. 900. SEED INSPECTOR

There are two employees in this department--the man in charge and the clerk or stenographer. A letter is also issued by this department, which will also furnish all desired information as to seeds and their value.

PLAN No. 901. CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT

This appointment is made by the Federal Judge. Four officials are also employed besides the clerk, serving out of the city. Salaries run from $2,500 to $5,000 per annum fixed by the United States Attorney General.

PLAN No. 902. FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICE

This department employs one person. It has not existed long enough to come under the Civil Service, so work in the office may be obtained by appointment from Federal Director and confirmed by the Department of Labor. In 1918 this office filled more than 197,000 positions in the State of Washington. The salary is $130 per month.

PLAN No. 903. FEDERAL LAND OFFICE

There are four employees in this office: one registrar and one receiver, who receive their appointment by the President and are confirmed by the senate. Each has an appointment of one clerk. The department is established on the fee basis, the registrar and the receiver getting not more than $3,000 in fees per annum and not less than $500.

This department issues a circular relative to the law covering government lands. It will furnish you information about the area of the government land in various counties of the United States and will give you such information as the department has on file. To this department come matters relative to homesteads, minerals, desert claims, timber claims and oil matters. Final proof to the land you locate is made in this office. Salaries received by the clerks range from $125 to $135 per month.

PLAN No. 904. CLERKS OF THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE

This department is under the Civil Service. Seven persons are employed in the city and more than 170 men report to the office in the city of Spokane, Washington.

CIVIL SERVICE

It often happens that a man who has occupied a position for years finds the work in which he is engaged is injuring his health, for example, the labor he is performing has an effect on his lungs, like marble working, or some similar trade, and he desires a change. Or perhaps he is in some service that is not suitable to him and he is unable to progress. For such a man it is well to run over the preceding list very carefully and ascertain what field of work appeals to him. He should also read carefully plan No. 217.

I have in mind at the present time a man of good legal ability, but who did not possess business-getting qualities. He was somewhat discouraged, being unable to make his profession yield him a proper income. He was urged by one of his friends to take a Civil Service Examination in one of the departments. He took the examination and after a few months, his position was available, and he has occupied it for a number of years.

Work with the Government is always pleasant and the income steady and permanent.

PLAN No. 905. FEDERAL JUDGE

A Federal Judge of the United States District Court is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, his salary is $7,500 per annum. He has one clerk, one assistant and one stenographer. The stenographer is appointed by himself. Then there are the various departments such as the United States Marines Recruiting Office, which employs three men; the United States Navy Recruiting Office, which employs three men; the United States Army Recruiting Office, which employs three men, and is under the Civil Service. These departments employ many emergency men at times.

PLAN No. 906. BUREAU OF FARM MANAGEMENT

This department is governed by the Civil Service and employs three persons, the salary being----.

PLAN No. 907. HOME DEMONSTRATION AGENT

The Government and Agricultural School usually name a woman for this position. She must be trained in her work and have an Agricultural College course to her credit. Here is a field where women can do as good work as men, and it offers an excellent opportunity for them.

PLAN No. 907B. FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

Six persons are employed. At the present time the headquarters of this office is at Missoula, Mont. It is under the Civil Service, but from time to time emergency men are employed.

PLAN No. 908. HE NETTED BETTER THAN $5,000 A YEAR TAKING PICTURES

This man, for years, was unable to make much of a saving in his photographic work. His wife and he possessed ability in preparing photographs. He finally hit upon the following plan:

He hired two men called spotters, who took the pictures and went into different communities picturing men in the offices and at work at their desks. These two spotters were able to take at least fifty pictures a day each, making better than one hundred pictures per day. These men he paid $25.00 to $30.00 per week and traveling expenses. He saw to it that they had their supplies and everything ready when they arrived in town for work. Immediately following these men were salesmen who, after the pictures were printed, called and gave the price per dozen, which was $4.50 mounted size 9x7. Unmounted his charge was three pictures for a dollar. The salesmen were able to make the number of pictures actually taken average about $0.80 per picture.

The two salesmen were then followed by two delivery women. The photographer and his wife did all of the developing and finishing. A city of 125,000 would take about six weeks.

Great care must be taken by the man who is directing this work to see that his men are all kept busy and working. This man succeeded in keeping the spotters going fast enough, and everything was worked out in a systematic manner. He also gave the workers an opportunity of receiving a commission in addition to their salary.

I remember clearly the way the spotter approached me. “I would like to take a picture of yourself and office,” he said, but I protested that I did not care to have the picture. “That is all right, I would like to have the negative and I am paid just the same and it is no obligation to you.” He then took the picture relying entirely upon selling me the picture when I saw the finished product. In this he took very little chance, as he well knew that 80 per cent of the people who saw a picture of their office and themselves at work would be glad to pay the price for it.

There is a great field in this work and there is no reason why there should not be work in many different parts of the United States affording a good livelihood and a big saving for many photographers who are not now making a good living.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

The following plans were compiled by the Federal Board for Vocational Education, U. S. A.

We gratefully acknowledge with thanks the Board’s permission to publish them.

PLAN No. 909. JOURNALISM AS A VOCATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

For the material of this monograph the Federal Board for Vocational Education is indebted to the J. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, Pa., through its publication, “Training for the Newspaper Trade,” and the Collins Publicity Service, Philadelphia, Pa., through its publication, “Journalism,” School Edition, Teachers’ Auxiliary, of which this article is largely an abstract. This article was prepared by Dr. H. L. Smith under the direction of Charles H. Winslow, Chief of the Research Division of the Federal Board for Vocational Education. Acknowledgment is due to Dr. John Cummings, of the Research Division for Editorial assistance.

It is very important that the right decision be made, for one’s future success and happiness is largely dependent upon this choice. No two individuals have the same desires or the same ability or experience. Some like and are by nature and experience fitted to prepare for one line of work and unfitted for another, even for one in some instances which close acquaintances may urge them to take up. It is one’s duty therefore, to consider carefully the line of work one wishes to train for. Some may choose wisely to enter the field of journalism. It is hoped that this pamphlet may assist such to make the proper choice and may prevent those who are unfitted for this profession from undertaking it.

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE WORK IN JOURNALISM?

The main purpose of a newspaper is to give the day’s news. Another purpose is that of making the meaning of this news clear to the readers. Moreover, newspapers often furnish their readers with advice and with useful information as well as with entertaining reading. There was a time when the purpose of a paper was thought to be that of simply stating conditions as they are. At the present there is a rapidly growing tendency to use the newspaper to state conditions as they should be. A newspaper that tells what to do to make things better plays a great part in making democracy safe.

In any large newspaper plant there are three main divisions--the business office, whose duty it is to make the paper pay; the plant that must see to the actual printing of the paper; and the editorial department, which prepares all of the reading matter except the advertisements. It is with the editorial department that the term “journalism” is connected, and it is with the work of that department that this pamphlet deals.

There are two classes of reading matter in a newspaper, the news and the editorial comment, each class of material being prepared by a different force of writers. The editor in chief is at the head of the editorial staff, and since editorials consist of opinions rather than of bare statements of new facts, he holds the most important position on the paper. He is helped by men who are very well informed about all matters that are of interest to the public. The number of these helpers is from one to a dozen, according to the size of the city paper.

The managing editor looks after gathering and reporting news. His department is made up of several parts, each one in charge of an editor. The news editor looks after all out-of-town news, that is, all news from other countries or from this country outside of a distance 75 miles from the city of the newspaper. The telegraph editor looks over “copy” sent in by outside reporters and decides what is good and what is poor. The Sunday editor gets up the pictures and other “features” and special articles outside of strictly news articles. The art editor decides upon the pictures to be used and the method of making those pictures. The cable editor prepares the foreign news by filling in cable messages and making long articles out of them. The city editor hires and directs reporters on city work and on work outside the city but within a distance of seventy-five miles, having sometimes as many as seventy-five helpers within the city, and as many as that outside called local correspondents. The sporting editor looks after news of sports and has an assistant for each kind of sport. The night city editor covers late news, being in charge after 6 p. m. to receive copy brought in by reporters previously assigned to their duty by the city editor. The night editor is in charge of the “make up” of the paper and the getting of the paper to press. Most newspapers also have other editors called department editors for such departments as music, drama, society, finance, literary criticism, railroads, real estate, and stock markets. The department editors gather as much of their news as possible by themselves. Their work differs from that of other editors in that their copy goes directly to the printer and is not first looked over and corrected by the city editor.

The life of a newspaper man is not an easy life. A study[11] of newspaper work in Boston sums up the hardships and difficulties in the life of a reporter in the following way:

[11] Vocational Studies, Journalism, P. 11. School Ed., Teachers’
Auxiliary, No. 16, Collins Publicity Service, Philadelphia, Pa.

“The hours are long and irregular. On a morning paper they run from 1 in the afternoon until midnight, usually with an occasional evening off. But the free evenings can never be counted on in advance; they come only when the news happens to be slack. On the afternoon papers the hours are almost as bad, for, while they are only supposed to be from half-past 8 or 9 to 5, an assignment will very often come in at the last minute that will keep the reporter out until midnight. This means little or no freedom.

“The irregular hours also affect the meals. An assignment often takes the reporter out into the suburbs for hours at a stretch, where there are no restaurants, and where one can only work as fast as possible in order to get back to town. It means all kinds of weather, too, for suicides and elopements will occur, be it fair day or foul, in houses several miles from the nearest car track, and they have to be looked up at once. A long, hard trip, like this, is not only an every day matter, but it means no extra pay.”

The desk man or editor, while freed from the hardships of travel, has other difficulties to overcome. These difficulties are set forth in the following further quotation from the same report:

“As the time for going to press approaches, the copy pours in faster and faster, the composing room signals that the paper is already overset and yet perhaps, now, at the last minute, an item of first importance in the whole day’s events comes in, and room must be made for it. In the midst of all this clamor the desk man must keep his head, racing through the piles of copy, weighing its merits discriminately and giving as cool and careful decision as though he had all the leisure and quiet in the world.”

WHAT PHYSICAL AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ARE NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN JOURNALISM?

One must have good health to stand the hardships of long and irregular hours of work, under bad conditions, often long distances from the office and in all kinds of weather. There are also certain personal qualifications that one must have to succeed in the field of journalism. Chief among these personal qualifications is the ability to adapt one’s self to many different subjects and feel at home in each.

Unlike writers in other fields, the reporter is a writer of matter which lives today and is dead tomorrow. He is not so much in need, therefore, of the artistic quality in his writings as he is in need of the ability to pass quickly from subject to subject writing briefly but to the point on each.

Another thing one must have for success in journalism is what may be termed “the news instinct”; this is the ability to recognize news in any form, even in the most commonplace events, and to write these commonplace things up in such a way as to interest the reader. This ability is not found in the person who does not observe carefully.

A clear, easy style full of dash is necessary for the reporter. This style can usually be gained with a little practice by the man or woman with a sense for news. The reporter’s main aim is to catch the public eye, after that he needs most to produce copy at great speed, remembering all the while that his work is not likely to be read more than once.

Other qualifications a reporter should have are intelligence, and an understanding of people. He must have tact, and be a “good mixer,” capable of easily gaining the confidence of people in order to draw them out in his search for news.

WHAT TRAINING IS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN JOURNALISM?

A college education is a help, of course, but it is not absolutely necessary in the journalistic profession. One who wishes to become a journalist may enter the newspaper field as a reporter at almost any time after he has had enough experience and general knowledge to make him well acquainted with a number of subjects and when, in addition to this, he has learned to write his thoughts in clear, forceful language. Certainly a grade education is necessary and some high school education is advisable for the beginner. More and more as the field of newspaper work enlarges and broadens a full four-year high school course is becoming essential. The best opportunities will more and more open up only to those of wide experience and knowledge. Toward this experience and knowledge a college education adds very much, particularly if the college education deals with the theory and methods of newspaper organization, as well as with practical training in reporting and in editing work. Whether the foundation education is gotten in the grade school, in the high school, or in college, one must have acquired somewhere along the line the ability to write correctly and briefly in language that can not be misunderstood. Much of the ability to do this comes from the practical school of experience. Much of it, however, can be given in schools. More and more the emphasis is being placed upon thorough preparation before entering the profession of journalism.

Once the college man in a newspaper office was thought of as a joke by others in the office. They sneered at his style. Two things have happened to change that feeling. In the first place college men are now trained in a simpler style of writing than they once were. In addition to that they now get more practical training than they once did. Besides this, so many college trained men have done well in journalism that newspaper men are beginning to see that their success is due largely to the college training. On many papers today one will find the staff made up very largely of college men. On many papers now when they are looking for a new man for the writing force they often look for a man with a college degree.

The first school of journalism in the world was started by Joseph Pulitzer in 1904 at Columbia University. In the words of its founder the purpose of this school was to raise the standard of newspaper work through better education of those who enter the profession. “I am deeply interested in the progress and elevation of journalism,” he wrote, “having spent my life in that profession, regarding it as a noble profession and one of unequaled importance for its influence upon the minds and morals of people * * *. It will be the object of the college to make better journalists, who will make better newspapers, which will better serve the public. It will impart knowledge, not for its own sake, but to be used for the public service. It will try to develop character, but even that will be only a means to the one supreme end--the public good.”[12]

[12] Vocational Studies, School Ed., Teachers’ Auxiliary, No. 16,
Collins Publicity Service, Philadelphia, Pa.

Since the beginning of the Pulitzer School of Journalism at Columbia University, about 20 colleges and universities have put in courses in journalism. One of the requirements for entering these courses is the full four years of high school work. The course, itself, ranges from courses of lectures by newspaper men to a complete course, four years in length, which usually leads to a bachelor of arts degree, or its equivalent. Instruction in journalism includes a study of the English language, literature, and composition, the work of the reporter and editorial writer, the methods of gathering news, the technique of newspaper making, the general management of papers, the history of journalism, together with general history, economics, sociology, psychology. Typewriting and often stenography are also required for graduation. The college work in journalism is accompanied by actual experience on papers, either college publications or papers published in the city or town in which the college is located. Students trained in such courses know how to write a story, how to get up a headline, and how to write editorials, and because of this fact men so trained get promotions in shorter periods of time than others.

For the benefit of those journalists who have not the chance to take the full college course, several phases of journalism are given in the summer schools of many colleges, and special courses in newspaper and magazine writing are given in evening schools. Such courses can be taken at the same time that one is employed on a newspaper.

It is clear, therefore, from the above, that more and more journalism calls for education and training before one begins actual work as a regular reporter on a paper.

HOW MUCH INCOME MAY ONE REASONABLY LOOK FORWARD TO, IF SUCCESSFUL IN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM?

In few vocations is there greater difference in salaries than in the field of journalism. So far there does not seem to be any general standard that all the papers of the country attempt to live up to. The managers of certain newspapers follow the practice of employing only experienced men, taking them wherever they can be found from the staffs of other newspapers. Such papers, of course, pay good salaries. Other publications are willing to take on a few, or even a large number of beginners. Such papers naturally pay smaller salaries. Seldom, however, is the beginner in journalism paid less than $12 or $15 per week on the daily papers, though some receive as low as $10 a week. Often a paper works, not only on a basis of straight pay, but on the basis of the space the articles contributed occupy.

“Space rates” range from $2 to $10 per column, the amount varying with the standing of the newspaper, and with the character of the news itself. Promotions are very rapid and anyone with promise can hope to get a raise in salary from time to time until it reaches from $19 to $25 a week, which is the salary of regular reporters. Reporters who do special work are generally paid more. Their salaries range from $25 to $35 per week. On the very best papers there are very few reporters who draw salaries ranging from $35 to $50 per week. Such men are as well paid as men in the editorial department. The chiefs of the different editorial departments draw from $30 to $50 a week. Managing editors and editors-in-chief get salaries ranging all the way from $2,500 to $10,000 per year.