o the Civil Service Act on January 26, 1901, it is further declared
that all persons in arms against the authority of the United States
in the Philippine Islands, and all persons aiding or abetting them,
on the first day of April, 1901, shall be ineligible to hold office.

"A minimum age limit of eighteen years and a maximum age limit of
forty years are fixed for those who enter the lowest grades in the
service. This avoids the difficulty and embarrassment that would result
from the admission of men advanced in years to positions where the
duties can be better performed by younger and more energetic persons.

"The Board is given authority to investigate matters relative to the
enforcement of the act and the rules, and is empowered to administer
oaths, to summon witnesses, and to require the production of office
books and records in making such investigations. Without such a
provision it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to conduct
satisfactory investigations, but with the authority conferred by the
act, the Board can make a rigid inquiry into the facts of every case
arising under the act and the rules.

"The act provides for the ultimate classification of all positions
in the service, from laborers to heads of bureaus and offices, and
the Board may, in its discretion, determine the efficiency of those
now in the service as well as those who may enter hereafter through
its examinations. This authority will enable the Board to ascertain
the fitness of all employees so that only the most competent will be
retained in the service.

"As a check upon the illegal payment of salaries the act provides that
whenever the Board finds that a person has been appointed in violation
of its provisions or of the rules of the Board, and so certifies to
the disbursing and auditing officers, such payments shall be illegal,
and if payment is continued the disbursing officer shall not receive
credit for the same and the auditing officer who authorizes the payment
shall be liable on his official bond for the loss to the government."

In its third annual report the Civil Service Board mentioned the
following among its distinctive duties:--

"All appointments to classified positions are required to be made on a
form prescribed by the Board, and the Board's attestation is required
in each case before the Civil Governor or Secretary of Department
will approve the appointment and before the disbursing officer will
pay any salary.