Referring to the examination for special treasury agents which you desire this Commission to hold and with respect to which you make oral inquiry today, the Commission has the honor to state that the questions on government, law, and customs matters prepared by your Department have been given careful consideration. It is the opinion of the Commission that the questions are of such a character that they might be answered by a person without testing his qualifications for the position of Special Treasury Agents, and that, on the other hand, failure to answer the questions would not indicate lack of qualification for such position.
The Commission is sincerely desirous of co-operating with your Department in securing competent persons for the service, but it does not believe that an examination along the lines indicated in the material submitted by your Department would have the desired effect.
The Commission very seriously doubts whether the position of Special Agent can be filled as satisfactorily by open competitive examinations as by transfer or promotion of trained and experienced employees in the service who are familiar with the workings of your Department and especially with customs matters.
Very respectfully,
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Commissioner.
REPLY TO FOREGOING
Treasury Department, December 5, 1905.
To the Civil Service Commission:
I am in receipt of your letter of the 2nd relative to an examination for Special Agents to the Treasury Department.