Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-15
WAGES, OF ENGRAVERS
GOVERNMENTS EMPLOYEES DIS
SATISFIED WITH RATE.
Director Walcotf of Geological Survey
Investigating CQmplaint-Early
Report Expected.

upon the urgent request Of President
Samuel Gompers of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, Secretary Hitchcock of the
Interior Department recently instructed
Director Charles d. Walcott of the United
States geological survey to make an inves-
tgatfon into the causes of the dissatisfac-
ton which exist among the COPPER plate
engravers of that office. The trouble is said
to be over the minimum rate of wages paid
for work. The instructions to Mr.. Walcott
were issued several days ago, and the in
vestigation is in progress. When COM
pleted Director Walcott is to compile a
complete report for submission to the In
terror Department This report 1t is be-
lieved will be in the hands of Secretary
Eitchcock within the next few days.
ABOUT q year ago the American Society
OF Plate Engravers called the attention of
president GomperS to the minimum rate of
wages paid copper plate engravers of the
once. Mr. GomperS, in turn, called upon
the government officials, and has had more
or less correspondence with the officials
relative to the matter ever since. Failing,
1t Is said, in his attempt to adjust matters
py such correspondence, Mr. Gompers
tary Hitchcock, with the result that Drec-
tor Walcott was asked to make the investi
cation.
Chief Clerks Statement.
Col. Henry c. Rizer, chief clerk of the
geological survey, stated to a Star reporter
that he had received no complaint from the
engravers relative to their pay, but added
that he had had correspondence and con-
ferences with the officials Of the Federation
of Labor on the matter. He is of the opin-
ION, ne said, that 1t Is the purpose of the
labor officials to obtain an increase for the
engravers employed in all branches Of the
government service, and that the geological
survey Is the first to receive the attention
OF the Federation of Labor. Col. Rizer said
the engravers of all the government depart
ments, except the geological survey, are
paid salaries appropriated annually by Con-
gress The survey engravers, he added are
PAID from bulk sum, according to what
Is pelleved to be fair rate of remuneration
and hours of labor. He said he thought
that II the short hours were taken into
consideration 1t would be found that the en-
graVers are receiving compensation equal
to that paid commercial engravers He
concluded the interview by saying that he
believes labor to be worthy of It's hire and
that the better workmen should receive the
better pay.
President Gompers stated that at the
conferences with the officials Of the survey
heid at the suggestion of President Roose-
Velt ne had proved that the engravers were
not receiving the standard rate Of wages
and denied emphatically that the workmen
are compensated at a rate similar to that
paid by private establishments. He said If
an engraver Is worth anything he should
receive wage of not less than IS per diem
The engravers Of the geological survey &C.
cordlng to government records, are paid
from 81 and s150 to $40 per diem The
map engravers, who are more directly in
tereSted In the present agitation, receive
the lowest Of the wages paid.