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Show 68 COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. EMPLOYEES IN THE FIELD. An important change pertaining to the method of appointing superintendents was effected during the year. Heretofore these 05- cers have been drawn from the lower grades in the Indian service by promotion-in a few instances by transfer from other branches of the service--there being no provision for appointing persons to this position who were not already in the classified service. Superin-tendents being usually selected from chief clerks, principal teachers, and farmers who by reason of their long experience and fitness for their- special lines of work had high efficiency ratings, promotions were practically limited to seniority. The appointment of an em-ployee whose e5ciency record showed him to stand high in his special l i e of work was in the nature of an experiment, as his ability out-side of his specialty could not be definitely determined. This was the greatest weakness of the system, and the need of a broader field from which to draw material was apparent. Consequently arrange-ments were made with the Civil Service Commission for holding an examination or test, with a view of establishing an eligible list of persons from which to make selections. This test was designed to ascertain the business and executive ability of the competitor, as well as his qualifications as a practical sociologist in meeting human problems. This change in policy has demonstrated conclusively that there are men now in the service who are excellent material for promotion to a superintendency, but whose qualifications for the position prob-ably would never have been brought out under the former system. It has also shown that there are many men outside of the service who could command much larger salaries in the business world than the o5ce can pay under existing appropriations, but who are willing to sacrifice material compensation because of their deep interest in the Indian work. The test may be taken at any time and place, the papers being rated from time to time, and a new register of eligibles established quarterly. In the effort to procure the very hest possible material for appointment as superintendents, the office has had the hearty co-operation of the Civil Service Commission. Another step affecting the personnel was the matter of placing within the classified service all persons paid from tribal funds. For many years no distinction was made by this office or by the Civil Service Commission between the positions paid from such funds and those paid from congressional appropriations. But a year or so ago the Civil Service Commission issued a ruling that employees paid from tribal funds were not within the classified service. About 1,000, or one-sixth, of the employees were affected by this ruling, and as it |