The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-04
WORKING FOR UNCLE SAM.


Maurice low, In the Forum.
The reason why the government service is at.
tractive to the young man starting out on his
career is that the government, In contrast to the
private employer of clerical labor, is an ex.
--cangly liberal paymaster and an equally
indulgent taskmaster. Jasper Swinge, 81 years
old, graduate of the high school OF Dewcyville,
Mimi, has no trouble in passing the not very
stiff entrance examination set by the civil ser.
vice commissioners, and is appointed to a clerk.
ship in one Of the executive Departments in
Washington at an annual salary OF 5000 II
he is lucky he may get 5000. On an AVERAGE
this is fully twice as much as he would receive
in other employment.
1t must be remembered that Jasper though a
worthy young man. is possessed of no special or
technical qualifications. lie is not even that
very common thing in these days, stcnogra-
phcr and typewriter; he knows nothing Of book
keeping. lie IS simply clerk, who can copy
letters, index papers, or perform some other
equally elementary Office duty. Compare his
| salary with that paid to his brother, two years
his senior, who is "clcrkng'' in a wholesale
| grocery house in their native town; or his class
mate in the high school, who is a bookkeeper
| in department store; or his chum, who is the
stenographer and typewriter in the superintend.
| cnts office Of the Dcwcyyile Street railroad. and
| 1t will be seen that Jasper makes the best
start in life especially as he knows that h. pos
scsses less ability than these others.
o.
But not alone Is he better off in the mere
matter Of salary. The government, unlike the
private employer is very considerate Of his en-
ploycs JaSper's brother is fortunate il he does
not have to report for duty before S o'clock
and he considers himself equally fortunate il 6
| O'Clock sees his days work DONE Jasper reaches
| his desk at o'clock, or rather at that hour
| he must be in his room; but he take his
| own time about diyesting himself Of his outer
| garments and sitting down in a comfortable
| chair. At noon, to the stroke, without asking
any ones permission, Jasper closes his desk and
| has half an hour to himself, half an hour in
which to cat his lunch or write private letters,
or read novel, do anything else he may
see fit. That half hour every day is one Of the
| clauses Of the contract and the government may
| not interfere. At halfpast twelve Jasper one
more belongs to the government taskmaker until
! nominay o'clock, but about ten minutes
| before the hour strange spirit Of unrest crcops
over him. lie looks at the clock, deliberately
wipes and puts away his favorite pen, neatly
| arrangcs the papers which he is working,
changes his Office coat for his street coat, and at
one minute to he mods pleasantly to his room
chief and softly closes the door behind him. At
! the hour he has one foot on the long fight Of
stone steps leading TO the street, and is again
a free man until next morning at O'Clock. It
| is true that occasionally, in some great emerg-
cncy, or in case extraordinary reports have to
be prepared, he may be required to work over
| time; but the occasions are nfrcquent enough
not to be considered The government clerks
day is six and half hours!
| But Jasper has still other causes for con-
| graduation. Thirty days every year he may go
of on a vacation, and during the time he Is en-.
joying himself his salary is paid to him in full.
| II during any one year he falls sick, headache
today or a toothachc tomorrow, in all not more
than thirty days, no deduction OF pay is made
for his absence, if the fact be certified by his
medical attendant On Saturday, during the
! hottest months of the summer, his department
closes at 3 o'clock; national holidays are re-
ligiously Observed; and on the day before Christ
mas and the first day Of the year it is the GUS
tom for the departments to close at noon. JAS
per plays in hard luck ii in the course Of a year
he does not gain three four extra holidays;
for a celebration of some kind either local or
national, is sufficient excuse for the closing OF
the departments.
| II Jasper makes comparative statement be-
tween himself and his brother it will present
this result
JASPER: HIS BROTHER:
II months or 2s2 work. 10 months, or 3l8 work
ing days, at 6lA hours ing days, at 10 hours
per day, 1,S33 hours; per day, $3.50 hours
less per cent. for less per cent. fol
holidays, sick leave etc. public holidays.
Hours, net ...... LA Hours, net ...... 500
Wages ...........$l 600 Wages ........... $50
Or, put in another form: for A per cent. less
work Jasper receives so per cent. more wages