The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-30
LaboIeIs' as Clerks.

'laDOrerS In the rsxecutlNe DepdIJ-
ments who are assigned TO duty as
clerks appeals to The Times as
distinct hardship.
About six hundred persons, three
fourths of them young women, are
engaged and have been engaged for at
least two years at work for which the
Government pays regularly salary
OF about 81 600 and grants in addi-
ton the protection of the civil service
regulations But these ''laborers are
paid much less than 81 ,000-about $500
are denied the protection of the
civil service regulations, and are pre-
cluded from promotion, no matter with
what industry and skill they may
have performed their tasks
Department chiefs and others are
now urging that the President cover
these six hundred clerks-for they
are clerks in everything save official
designation-iLto the civil service
register, advance them to the lowest
| grade of clerkships, and open the
way for them to earn promotion. as
/ it is opened to all the other clerks
of the departments The Times thinks
this action would operate TO the adj
vantage of the entire service, if safe
guarded by the restrictions every
business man applies to the promo
ton Of employees. And it is unable
| TO follow the argument of the Civil
Service Commission, as reported in
| the news columns yesterday, that nc
matter how long these -laborers' have
been in the service, they should have
no more rights in the premises than
| late applicants for examination who
| have never been in the Government
service
| The rights these '.laborers" have are
| the rights ali workmen earn by virtue
of experience and faithful service
In this instance, the service has not
| only been faithful but it has been
| confessedly underpaid. AS Tor the
Government, it, also, has a right to
! protect-the right to the experience
and training these clerks have OBJ
tanned since their appointment, in al
cases not less than two years ago, and
in many cases more than eight years
ago.
This value as experienced clerks
it is which outweighs the disadvan-
tage urged justly by the commission
that these clerks were appointed il
/ circumvention Of the law and would
| now obtain the protection OF the law
| 1t should be noted further that this
class cannot increase in numbers, tha
this dilemma cannot present itsel
again The assignment of laborer:
TO duty as clerks is now effectively
prohibited, and has been prohibited
since July, 1902 The problem il
solved conclusively if these six hun
dred clerks are put where they belong
The transfer might be accomplish,
by general order, as many anothe
such transfer has been accomplished
| without great injury to the service
But there is no reason why any injur,
&c the service should be caused. Onl.
those 'laborers' who deserve the pa.
and privilege of clerkships ought t
be made clerks. Let the Civil Servic
Commission determine which of Their
are deserving and which are not. TIL
ordinary entrance examination woul
exclude those who are not equal t
their tasks and more advanced eX
, animation would exclude those VIII
have not put their employment t
I good use.
This, The Times thinks, is a deta
J "a detali with which the Civil Sery
+ ice Commission is abundantly able I
. cope, and the only difficulty whic
+ stands in the way Of adjusting a dis
, tinct hardship put upon hundreds {
! capable and honest employees OF til
Government