Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-12

tn. cease of naval cadets Mr. Dayton
said .ie also wanted to thank the President
for the selection of Edwin Baker as col
lectOr of customs at NogaleS.
Representative Walter !. Smith Of Iowa
presented to the President William E. Balm
bridge, second secretary of the American
legation at Pekin. Mr.: Bainbridge is In this
country on leave. Delegate Rodey of New
Mexico presented a number OF citizens from
that state who are about to leave Washing
ton for their homes.
Representative Cannon had an early con-
ference with the President.
Representative Gibson Of Tennessee saw
the President to request the transfer of
Edwin S. Cunningham, United States consul
at Alden. Arabia. to some other point Mr.
Cunningham has been at Alden for five
years. The town is described as being the
hottest in the world, barring none. The
President rather thinks that Mr.. Cunning
ham is entitled to transfer.
To Classify Laborers.
recent interview in The Star with Jas.
r. Garfield, civil service commmissioner,
regarding the transfer to the classified serv-
ice of about 500 people who are on the gov
ernment rolls as laborers, but doing
clerical work, has created general interest
in departments. Various statements are
made as to the Presidents attitude. 1t is
stated that the President has indicated to
several members of Congress his intention
to classify these employees. Miss Charlotte
Smith, president of the Woman's National
Industrial League, has submitted to the
President the following communication on
the subject:
Your humble petitioner represents 10000
self-supporting women of these United
States. Several hundred of this class OF
women are employed in various branches of
the federal government There are at the
present time 125 persons doing clerical work
in the patent office and carried on the
rolls as laborers, messengers and assistant
mo nd yI,n fhao
ton of the above named grades. Many of
these so-called laborers have proven their
efficiency and capabity by doing clerical
work for years at less compensation than
unskllied faborerS receive in government
service.
Some of these faithful servants are de-
barred from entering a civil service eX-
animation by being from states that have
a full quota, others are past the age limit.
Your attention Is respectfully called to the
fact that the employees of the rural free
delivery have been placed under civil serv
ice, also the temporary clerks who weIa
appointed during the Spanlsh-Amer:can
war. 1t is but just that the employees who
have been doing clerical work Cor years in
the patent office be accorded the same priv
ilsgeS of other departments. The patent
office enriches the United States treasury.
There is surplus of $5,329 41I.01 in this
department. Therefore the employees cf tbs
patent office are entitled to just remunera-
tion for their services.
The majority of these employees are wo-
men who sit side by side with those who
receive 800 per month. for which they in
return receive but $50 per month for the
same work and have no chanc3 of promo
tion.
Therefore your petitioner ever prays that
the 125 persons at present doing clerical
work and those who have been employed
for two years in the patent Office as clerks
be placed under civil service. This, as an
act OF justice to these faithful AMI capable
employees in government service, is the
prayer of the undersigned"