Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-10
OVERTIME WORK.
District Auditor Reports on Hours Of
Per Diem Men.

District Auditor John r. Garrison has
submitted to the Commissioners a report
upon the subject Of overtime work by the
per diem employees Of the local government.
The question comes up as to the payment
Of these employees for time in excess OF
eight hours a day. The matter was the
subject Of recent consideration in the
Treasury Department, and a letter OF In
quiry was addressed from the auditor for
the State and other departments to the
Commissioners respecting the allowance to
certain employees. designated as inspect
ors, fOremen, watchmen, super1ntendents
and storekeepers," in the engineer depart
ment, of pay for such time as they may be
engaged In their respective duties in excess
of eight hours. Auditor Garrison says.
THE auditor for the State and other de-
partments suggests that some OF the classes
Of the employees mentioned If not all, do
not seem to come within the scope OF the
act Of August /. 1892. Known as the eight
hour law, since such employees do not seem
to be embraced within the terms 'laborerS
and mechanics covered by said act.
Attention Is invited to the reports from
the superintendent OF sewers. dated August
20 and August Is, 1903, filed herewith,
stating that inspectors and foremen en-
ployed upon sewer construction are neces-
sarily skilled mechanics. The same remark
will. 1t Is believed, apply to inspectors.
foremen and superintendent employed in
and practical mechanical knowledge are
necessary to the discharge of the duties
falling under such designations 1t Is re-
spectfully suggested in this connection that
objections may be obviated should the
proper officer certifying the pay rolls and
having personal knowledge as to the char
acter Of the work performed by inspectors,
foremen and superintendent and other en-
ployes of like character hereafter note upon
the pay rolls that such employees are mo
chanicS or skilled mechanics where such is
the fact.
with respect to watchmen It appears
from the report of the superintendent OF
sewers that in the sewer department watch
men are employed on the basis Of eight
hours per day, and where they perform
service in excess of that time it Is made
necessary by reason OF the TACT that they
are not relieved at the termination Of their
watch Of eight hours, the relief falling to
appear because Of sickness or other cause.
In such cases the Waterman on duty Is re-
quired to remain at his post during the
next watch of eight hours. and Is allowed
one day therefor. The Waterman who has
failed to serve his watch Is not paid for 1t.
Hence the allowance of pay for the add
tional time served by Waterman thus de-
tanned at his post in excess Of his watch of
eight hours does not involve additional
cost. This is probably the case with re-
spect to watchmen employed in other de-
partments. who are paid for overtime. The
superintendent of sewers states that the
prdCllC6 ABOVE referred 10 Is Wen KNOWN TO
watchmen when they take employment as
such.
THE superintendent Of sewers further
states that the employment of inspectors,
foremen and watchmen in his department
is of q temporary character that they are
paid only for the time actually employed
upon the work. and do not receive the bene-
fits enjoyed by permanent employees OF
leave Of absence with pay and sick leave.
In SO far as have been able to investi
lyQt ia "a ma ffnY 7 I'M q "a IA r.
tice Of paying the classes of employees re-
eight hours per day, is one of long standing.
and that they are employed under a tacit
understanding or verbal agreement that
they shall receive pay for overtime in ex-
cess of eight hours per day.
I have tho honor to suggest that the OBJ
1ections pointed out by the auditor for the
State and other departments may be obvi-
ated hereafter, where 1t Is found necessary
to pay any OF the classes Of employees re-
ferred to in his letter, who do not come
within the designation of laborers and me-
chanics under the eight-hour law. for over
time. by making with such employees a
definite contract or agreement, by order of
the Commissioners, or otherwise, specifcal-
ly defining the number of hours of work for
which they shall receive the stipulated per
diem, and providing for proportionate al
lowance for work performed in excess of
the number of hours contracted for as a
days work"
A copy of this report will be forwarded
to the Treasury Department with the state
ment that 1t has the approval of the Dis
trict Commissioners