Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-01
INCREASE IN PAY.
white Wings Granted Advance of
rs Cents Per Dav

There was broad grin on every white
wing countenance at work on the streets
this morning. This evidence of joy among
the men who push the machines which
lock like mammoth carpet sweepers along
the asphalt, and which collect the refuse
of the day, was not without reason One
of the liberal acts of the Congress just
drawing to a close was to provide for an
increase in the pay of the men engaged in
the handwork department of the street
cleaning division from 81. % to $50 day
Today this provision for an increase In
wages went into effect and the men are
consequently happy. 1t is safe to predict
that greater care will be taken in cleaning
the streets today than ever before.
This increase in the wages of the hand
cleaners is the one bright spot in the ap-
preparation made for the street cleaning de-
partment for the fiscal year which began
today, according to the officials of that Of
nee. The amount appropriated for cleaning
the streets is VIZ less than was given to the
department last year, notwithstanding the
fact that several miles of new streets have
been laid meanwhile and will have to be
cleaned IT is said the appropriation should
nave been at least S1o,H0 more than last
year to provide for this extra area. Super
intendent Warner Stutler is making out his
new schedules, and in order to take in the
new streets ii has been necessary to cur
tail the service over a considerable section
of the city, and some of the streets will
not be cleaned as often as was the case
during the past year
The appropriation for this year is $19OOpO
This sum looks munificent compared to the
s1oo,GOO carried in the appropriat ton bill for
the last fiscal term. The $155, COO however,
did not last throughout the year. and a de-
ficiency appropriation of $2O,4S was voted,
bringing the total for street cleaning Hp to
sl75,24S OF the $4,000 appropriated for
this year $4,000, it is specifically provided.
is for the increase in the pay of the hand
cleaners as mentioned above, leaving the
appropriation for general work at S175 ESQ.,
or WIS less than was provided during the
past year.
In connection with the street cleaning ap-
preparation 1t was remarked at the Dis
trict building today that whereas in other
cities the street cleaning appropriation is
made in accordance with the miles of street
of cleaning has to be gagged by the appro-
priation. The officials expect a higher de-
gree of efficiency in the work.
There was no joy for some of the men
on the hand cleaning force. Five were laid
on for the year in order to make ends meet
The forces will have to be somewhat re-
duced in the other classes, too, it is stated
in order to keep within the provision re-
quiring that the street cleaning appropria-
tfon shall be apportioned by months so as
not to create deficiency at the end of the
year.
The amount appropriated by Congress
was $l5,oOO less than was asked for by the
Commissioners in their estimates
the Commissioners recommend legislation
looking to reorganization of the street
its officials on the annual roll, but Con-
gress failed to act on the suggestion. A
great many of the inspectors, foremen etc.
are on the per diem list.