Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-18
than private business hotses, firms or cor

than private business houses firms or cor
"On an average those engaged upon rou-
line clerical and other work receive from
% to 30 per cent more salary than employees
of private establishnents performing sim
liar work. In soma tase4 the difference in
salaries is even greater / 40 not think
there should be SO gfeat q difference in
salaries, and l anr confident that this diff
ference is principally owing to the uncer-
tain tenure of office of government en-
ploycs.'
Opposed to. Discrimination.
Mr.. H&row thought there should be no
distinction between employees In the gov
eminent printing Office and government
clerks in the matter of hours of labor. ex-
cept upon showing that hours of labor
for certain classes of work could not be IN
creased without impairing the quality OF
their work. AS rule, he thought the or
binary clerks in the departments should
not have shorter hours than laborerS In
the service. The work of the former. he
said, requires no more, If as much, mental
energy as Is demanded of many mechanics
and skilled laborers.
rs it not a discrimination against the
real laboring mar to appoint to positions
which he can properly fill, such as watch
men, messengers and laborers in the gov
eminent service, persons who regard them
selves as above such positions, who are
pr eSumaDly QualIeu by euuCatioH anu pre-
yious training for higher positions, and
who therefore do not give their work that
attention which conscientious discharge
of duty reQuires?"
II think the appointment of such persons
Is injurious to the public service. They
perform unsatisfactory work, and the real
laboring man, who, from his previous
training and experience. would perform
cheerfully and willingly the duties OF such
positions, actually. feels that he Is dis
| frir mi q ed against because
education and refinement, when other per-
sens are appointed who regard themselves
ought to be appointed to position II he
cannot do all of the work required OF him
cheerfully and to the satisfaction of his
superior officers. A number of instances
&C uld be cited in the service here and else
where of persons occupying minor positions
the duties of which they regard as dis
as above the duties required. No man
tasteful. When they are called upon to do
the work of messengers or laborers 1t
comes in the form of a request, in half
apologetic tone, from their superior Off
GERS, who get out of patience with the en-
pioyment of this class of persons in such
capacities; but, unfortunately, they are
kept in their positions through sympathy,
to the exclusion Of more satisfactory per-
sons for the work. / have in mind a case
where one of the officials in department
had messenger assigned to him whom h ,
vas astonished to meet frequently in So
clal circles. The officer complained that he
mutual embarrassment whenever he called
upon him to perform such work as to
empty the waste basket, to lower the Win
dCws or to supply fresh ink. Yet there are
many such cases in he, service today.
Examiner Sefss emo Resumes.
Mr.. Server continu6 % his testimony given
last Thursday. He .saidI in reply to in
quiries that the commission had examined
to date 3OO,23O people ofor government,
places, and 1851 ofe,1thehn were appointed
to places. This did spot include reinstate.
ments. The entire expense of these exami.
nations was 81. "A each. ard the cost of ex
amining and certifying THOSE appointed te
office amounted to lS1i75 each. and in
GLIDING all expenses of the commission the
latter amount is increased to $15.5I.
Mr.. Pritchard wanted 10 know If these
estimated expenses INCLUDED cost of cor
respondence regarding appointments on
the part of the depaf5mehts. The witness
replied that they did, notl
Senator Pritchard, tlGonmssioner Proc
tor and Mr.. Baker masked MIR. Server a
number of questions regarding methods oil
preparing eligible lists. etc.
The committee adjourned to meet at II
o'clock tomorrow.