Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-13
THEY WANT MORE PAY,
War Department Clerks Who Per
formed Extra Service During the Wa

War Department Clerks Who Per-
formed Extra Service During the War
The House appropriations committee has
received petitions from clerks in the quar-
termaster's and surgeon generals offices of
the War Department requesting additional
compensation for extra services rendered
during the war with Spain. The petition
from the quartermaster generals office.
which is similar to that from the surgeon
generals Office, says:
I'VE. the undersigned clerks. messengers,
etc, of the quartermaster generals office,
being privileged to serve in your depart
ment by virtue of appointment under the
law and regulations, and having served
faithfully and well not only before, but
more especially during the late war with
SPAN, most respectfully present to the hon.
orable Secretary this our urgent petition
for recognition of said service as follows:
Whereas in order to meet the emergency
OF the war with Spain it became necessary
to remain at our various posts for duty
during many hours overtime. including
Sundays and holidays, in cheerful and zeal
Gus compliance with orders from the War
department and the officers under whom
We serve: and
Whereas many of US. in consequence of
this constant and close application to sery-
INS' iiot oiiiS SdcrlIiceu all private interests
because OF lack of time for attention to
same, but also on account of irregularity
OF meals, loss of sleep, etc, suffered injury
to health, believing that our services thus
willingly given We're of value TO the people
and therefore entitled to be appreciated:
Now, therefore, addressing YOU as the
honorable representative of the people We
your humble servants, respectfully suggest
ana petition that you request and urge
upon the Congress that an appropriation
be made for extra service at the same raj q
of pay as attaches to our respective posi-
tions. submitting the argument that such
remuneration is justly due for services rem
dered with fidelity and with all disregard
of personal interests, convenience or well
fare, at the most trying period Of the year
when the excessive heat rendered the duty
doubly burdenSome.'
The petitions We're indorsed by the Secre-
tary of War follows:
THE fact that the law establishes the
hours Of labor would seem to Justify the
bellef that 1t was not the intention of Con-
SreSs that the prescribed hours should be
permanently or indefinitely extended with
out additional compensation, but that the
provision was designed to meet any sudden
or temporary emergency that might arise
Inc conditions created by the war with
Spain rendered it necessary that the clerks
and other employees should work regardless
OF -hours, III order to the performance or
the immense amount of clerical work de-
VolNed upon the department, and conse-
quenty they have worked by night as we'll
as by day, including Sundays and legal
holidays With a spirit of cheerfulness
they responded to every demand made upon
them and labored with industry and zeal
sacrificing health, comfort and personal
convenience TO the performance of duty
Under these circumstances il seems to be
a measure of justice that these employees
should be compensated for the excessive
and arduous services thus rendered and |
therefore earnestly recommend that pro-
vision be made by Congress whereby they
may receive just compensation for such
services during the period from May l to
December 81 lS9S''