When World War II ended in August 1945, and millions poured into the streets to celebrate the end of the conflict, The Chief, New York City’s civil service weekly, responded to the news with a banner headline: “How V-J Day Affects U.S. Employees.” The lead article cited job openings in federal agencies helping veterans to adjust to civilian life.

One then might wonder how The Chief, now in its 112th year as a newspaper devoted to public employees, their unions and the municipal bureaucracy, and known for its comprehensive listings of government job openings and civil service exams, is holding up during what many regard as the worst economic crisis in decades.

This much can certainly be said: There has been no shortage of news.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg eliminated some night shifts at firehouses and wants to cancel an entire Police Academy class. Gov. David A. Paterson is moving to make pensions less generous and cut education financing. Unions are restive, but hope that President-elect Barack Obama will increase federal aid to cities.

“It hasn’t come to the point where people are being laid off,” Richard Steier, The Chief’s editor, said of the budgetary pressures faced by the state and city. “And you haven’t felt a direct impact yet in terms of a shortage of cops, or firehouse closings. These are all exercises at this point  simply budgetary maneuvers that haven’t become reality.”