The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-17

ct is strange. said a prominent OIL
cial of one OF the Government depart
ments today. why so few clerks in the
departments save anything from their
salary. They draw good pay. and could
easily horde a small amount each myth.
But no. they spend il eli. and when a
rainy day comes must borrow from other
clerks or from enc Of the 10 per cent
companies"
Il have had occasion. recently. TO make
out the dismissal papers of several hun
dred Clerks They were temporary en-
ployes and We're appointed with the
knowledge that they would be dismissed
within several months.
Not many OF them were appointed from
the District Of Columbia. Ninety-nine per
cent OF them lived ia distant cities. These
OF them as FAR away as California. These
clerks al knew that they would be dis
missed about this time They knew that
when they were discharged they would 20
back home They knew. too that it
would require money TO get back home.
Instead Of saving anything with which
10 set back home. the speaker continued.
they spent it ALL Consequently when
they received notice Of their dismissal
they did not have a cent OF money. ex-
ceDting that due them on their salary
account For this in a great many in
stances they were in debt
These clerks invariably went to their
chief clerks and begged TO be retained
until they could save enough money TO
Pay their debts and buy their railroad
ticket 10 their homes. OF course. this
was out Of the question, and they had to
get money in some other way"
The official then explained that all the
clerks received salaries ranging from $500
to Sl,so0 year. He stated that they had
been employed by the Government about
eighteen months and were paid twice a
month as regular as clock work He be-
lieved that If the clerks had only saved
from 20 70 SO every payday, they would
have had when discharged $500 or $500
instead OF owing so much.
The clerks Of the other departments
are the same way" said the official.
They spend their money as fast is they
get H. They know that the salary is
sure, and they know that they will, if
sick, be paid for the time of. OF course,
some OF the clerks have Iarges expenses
than others. but il is a small number who
could not save few dollars every month.
"Of course there are a few Of the clerks
who do save money" continued the
speaker. There IS one young man whom
know very we'll. In fact he is one Of
my clerks, and / regard him as one Of the
very best in the service. He entered The
employ CT the United States as q messen-
ger, not more than four or Eve years ago
think he drew a salary a that time Of
so a month During that time which
was not more than three or four months.
he saved s. a month His worth was
recognized and he was promoted 70 $50
and then 40 $50 and from that salary he
has been constantly promoted until he is
now drawing 81 400 a year.
During the four years he has been IN
the Government service he has supported
himself and has saved enough money 10
buy small house from which he realizes
about SIS a month.
Not only has he saved money during
his employment as a Government clerk.
but he has educated himself He first
took course in shorthand, and two years
ago began the study Of law. The ex-
penses Of such a course are large too.
II everyone OF the clerks in the Govern
uent service would save as that young
man has concluded the speaker. the
companies which are getting rich by
charging 10 per cent a month for a few
dollars would seen have 10 90 cut OF busi-
ness"