Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-18

mortgage swoops down and gobbles the prop
erty. On the other hand. nearly al Of the real
estate agents in Washington are sx-government
clerks Likewise, many Of the most solid citi-
employment. They are astute persons, who
saw the future of the town years ago. When
they had saved 800 they bought bit Of land
and the ''unearned increment" did the rest.
THE ANNUAL VACATION.
The House voted to reduce the annual vaca-
ton Of the clerks from thirty DAYS to fifteen
days. Undoubtedly some Of the government
employees do abuse the present privilege, which
allows them thirty days sick leave each year in
sous Of this class always have their holidays
inquired out for a year in advance. By having
things thus scheduled they are able to turn
their leisure to the greatest advantage. For
example. whenever there is q legal holiday
there Is usually half-hohday on the day pre-
vious. The clerk takes the working part of that
halliday on: This gives him two days clear.
But, on the day before the half holiday he goes to
the chief Of his bureau and asks permission to
ieave AT ~ p M, SO as to catch train. Thus
days and a half. The ingenuity with which
such affairs are managed is said to be wonder
full. However. it should be explained that two
thirds OF the department employees rarely take
day OF the sick leave allowed them.
SICK LEAVE.
II a clerk is absent on account Of illness over
sixty days in any year he or she must pay q
substitute. The civil service commission pro-
vides all the substitutes that are wanted. It is
provided that the clerks shall give to the sub
stitute certain proportion Of the pay usually
amounting to about Sc per cent. By thus hir-
ing substitute a clerk might retain his place
IN tine service of the government for years,
though himself blind, paralyzed and confined
to his bed. In all cases Of sickness physicians
certificate is required. Not long ago the Treas
ury Department. made rule to the effect that
such certificates must always state the nature
OF the complaint. But the local medical society
resolved in formal council that such thing
was out OF the question, and SO the regulation
fell to the ground.
DREAD OF BEING sHADowED.
Many clerks are perpetually haunted by .
dread lest they are watched by detectives Of
the secret service. That sort of thing is some
times done. but only rarely and on request Of q
superior Official who suspects that something is
wrong. Ii a man who occupies q responsible
position gets to drinking and PLAYING the races
may be thought worth while to have him shad-
owed for while with Wow to finding out what
his habits are. II government rlDloye is diss:-
pated his boarding housekeeper. washer woman
and trades:nen are apt to suffer, and they do
not hesitate to address complaints to the de-
partment. IL such appeals come in SO fire.
quentiy as to be annoying AZ investigation may
follow. Oddly enough the clerk who misbe-
haves in such ways is usually not new man
but an old hand who feels sure of his place.
VAST DEPARTMENTAL SUPPLIES
One gets vivid notion of the magnitude Of
the departments from the vast quantities o. ice
and coal which are required TO quench the
thirst of the clerks and keep them warm. The
treasury consumes a ton and half Of ice daily,
taxing an average the year around. An equal
quantity Is used In the war, state and navy
building. But the department of the interior
Is the great devourer of ice. Including the
pension Office ii gobbles up from five to six tons
every twentv-four hours. The quantities util-
lied are variable. Each department. makes its
own contract for ice. bids being adver tised for
annually. No definite amount TO be provided
Is agreed on. The contractor gets much for
supplying all the frozen water required, what
ever it may be. All the departments. together
with their branches, consume "a 900 pounds
every day.
EEAvY CONSUMERS.
The ice is delivered in great blocks from
carts at the departments each morning. Mes
sengers chop it up in sizes 20 suit Each room
has water cooler or pitcher, which must be
kept filled with cold drink from O. M. to
p. n. The messengers fill buckets with the
chopped fragments and carry the buckets from
room to room. distributing to each cooler or
pitcher its proper supply. In the cellar of each
building are big refrigerstors. which are filed
with reserve stock. Nothing is put into them
except ice. The clerks are not even allowed to
keep bottled beer or milk in them for their
lunch.