Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-28

tellectuaI interests which mark the helgh'
of modern civilization in the United States
for life where the days work leaves
scarcely energy enough for an evening
drive. the only pastime this country af-
fords. 1t means constant breaks In the
family and in the home relations. for 1t is
hard climate on women and chudren, ana,
sooner or later, they are compelled to go
back over the long track to the United
States or to some more northern country.
1t is rather a big price to pay. 1t was one
Of the visiting congressman who, after ex-
pressing himself to the effect that the sal
aries paid in the islands were entirely too
high, naively remarked some minutes later
that nothing under the sun could induce
him to live in the Philippines
Specialists Engaged.
If ever our country needed good men,
men Of brains and force and power, men
who would succeed anywhere, 1t needs them
in the solution Of the difficult and untried
problems facing our government in this
new land. Can such men be obtained eth
er here or elsewhere without proper re-
ward, and, when secured, is any salary too
high to induce them to remain? Carping
critics to the contrary, there is scarcely
man at the head of any of the departments
of government here but is specialist and
an expert in his work, and chosen because
of his peculiar fitness for that particular
task. 1t is not the salary alone that APP
peals to such men, but their interest in
the problems set them and their desire to
carry their work to successful issue.
Many of them are in their offices ten or
eleven hours a day, making drains upon
their vitality which money can never COM
pensate or restore. Several have already
succumbed to the strain. In nearly all the
departments more hours of labor are exact
ed than in the departments at Washington.
If self-interest alone were considered, and
mere desire for personal comfort, there is
- &. IL
losing game. In the departments at Wash
ington 1t is the practice to pay civil service
employees slightly higher salaries than could
be secured in commercial positions: this in
order to secure the retelt.c:: OF trained and
efficient employees.
Salaries Too Small.
In these islands, where business returns
are so large and the prospects of immense
gains so alluring, there Is a triple necessity
for such a policy. Stenographers receiving
81 200 and 81, 400 per year in civil positions
are constantly being offered $1,000 and
81 500 by commercial houses and it is only
a high sense of honor on the part of en-
ployes which prevents the depopulation OF
many offices. Instead of being too large
the salaries paid are too small. as the
future will demonstrate If it is hoped 10
continue the present high class of service
and keep good men in Office. No doubt per-
sons could be secured to take them for less
but it will be an unhappy day for our coun-
try and for the Filipinos when the hangers
on of political favorites are allowed to prey
upon these people. The best is the cheap
est, and thus far neither politics nor pull
has entered into the selection of men for
office in the islands. Ability, energy and a
conscientious regard for duty. coupled with
special fitness for the work, have con-
trolled appointments. The task set Is not
an easy one, and 1t would be better grace
ffan n,rfn ~ n,rr vic h, 4
up the hands of the government in its diff
cult work than to strike them Sown They