The evening times., 1900-10-16
CLERKS TO BE DISMISSED
Work of ZOO Punchers in the Gem
s1s bureau Nearing an End.


The period of service of over thousand
clerks at the Census Bureau is about to
end. These employees whose heads are
doomed to the basket, have been engaged
as punehers in the population division.
Iheir original appointment was for a
stated term, at the expiration of which II
was estimated that the punching would be
completed Extra temporary clerks have
recently been engaged for periods of two
thfee. and four months. TO assist in the
puhchlns, in order that the work might
be finished at the date which had been
set by the bureau
But few of the punchers will leave
their machines during the current month
Ine greater number of expirations will be
reached III November, and by the first of
the year none Of the clerks will be en-
gagged in the punching Those few who will
be so fortunate as TO have retained posi-
tons IN the Bureau after that time viii
be assigned to other work
a wonderful showing has been made by
the phncAers IN disposing of work. At the
last salary day ii was found that but ten
clerks had not become entitled by the
volume of their work to an increase to
$500 per annum according to the schedule
OF promotions arranged by the Bureau
Five of this number, whose work was
nearly up to the required standard, were
afterWard advanced
The fearsome apprehension of the clerks
that the shortage in their pay, as found
IN the semi-monthIy disbursement, repre-
sented either reduction in salary or
deducted and enforced contribution to the
Republican campaign funds. has been con-
slderably ailayed by the statements of
Governor Merriam, and by the circular is
sued yesterday by the disbursing clerk,
IA A burrows, explaining the cause The
circular states that the shortage is not a
reduction. but is made in order to prevent
oFerpaymentE, OF which there have been
several. The remainder, and larger part,
or the monthly salary will be paid at the
end of the month, the circular states.
Governor Merriam stated yesterday that
the action had been found necessary be
cause the salary of the disbursing clerk
had tendency TO become a vanishing
quantity, owing 10 the individually small
amount, but collectively immense sum.
that was being charged 10 him by the
treasury Department for overpaymants to
employees Many designations from en-
ployes, said the Director. were made on
the 18th Of each month, and Invariably in
such instances, by the former method of
paying salaries, the clerk had been in re-
ceipt OF a small amount in excess of what
he was entitled to. This overpayment the
dlsbuTsing officer had to meet. no!ens,
Voiens. and he had visions of the entirs
evaporation of his own stipend, and con-
tempiated resignation made necessary
by enforced poverty.
He actually, it is claimed feared that
eventually he would eve money to the
Treasury, in lieu of having anything COM
ing 10 him. This state of affairs he brought
TO the attention of director Merriam. and
the remedy was devised. Governor Mer-
Ram believes that it was an error not to
have at once advised the clerks of the
reasons for the change and that il was
natural ooncommitant that they should
misecnstrue the action in the absence Of
information. This has been Temedied by
the issuance of yesterdays circular.
Clerks who receive $50 per month will
be paid on the semi-monthly occasion $40
and at the end of the month the balance
CT sS9- Clerks at 81 500 yearly receive $50
semi monthly: $1.4eG clerks. $50 semi
monthly; $1,000 clerks, s45 senli-nonthIy:
$1,000 clerks, $40 semi-monthly: 5000
clerks, $50 semi-monthiy: $40 clerks. $50
semi-monthIy; S72G clerks, s25 semi
menthiy; $500 clerks, SEQ semi i-nlonthly:
$500 clerks, $15 senIi-monthly: $240 clerks.
$40 semi-monthly.
II is stated that this division of the pay
nents Is made in accordance with the
practice in the other Departments of the
United States Government