Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-08

No. 1878.
diplomatic manner. as If it was a matter
of small Importance, stating that the -ques-
ton of extending the hours had nrst
arisen in the appropriations committee OF
the House.
Treasury Clerks Against It.
In all the departments this afternoon the
order to be issued was discussed by the en-
ployes wherever they mad opportunity to
gather Without dissent it was not re-
ceive with favor. and was handled by some
as being an endeavor to save few dollars
of clerk hire for the government. That was
the way they treated 1t. Even those en-
ployes who work as late as 5 O'Clock. and
even later when their work necessitates,
regarded the decision with disfavor. In the
Treasury Department, for instance, the
clerks in their rooms and the messengers
and others in the Railways discussed the
new change in their affairs in no particular
ly good-humored way. Some took the mat
ter philosophically. while others were sar-
castle, and still others said some harsh
things about the administration. After the
department closed there was gathering
of clerks on street corners and in stores,
where the conversations related to no other
subject than this one of the greatest inter-
est to them.
The Interior Department.
1t is understood at the Interior Depart
ment that the heads of the various depart
ments will make necessary rules and reg
ulations under the new seven-hOur work
system before the order requiring the de-
partments to remain open for business until
4:3O O'Clock goes into effect. The matter
was first brought to the attention of Secre-
tary Hitchcock several days ago, and was
discussed at the last cabinet meeting, it is
understood. It was stated at that time that
a member Of one of the appropriation COM
mttees had called the attention of the
President to the fact that the law required
seven hours work by the department clerks
and suggested that the matter be looked
into.
ject at cabinet meeting early In the week
and another discussion today. The heads
of each of the departments had In the
meantime received letter setting forth
the facts at the Presidents disposal and
were asked to make recommendations. This
letter was from a member of the appropria-
tions committee, aforementioned, and dealt
also with the early closing on Saturday.
Secretary Hitchcock did not consult his
bureau chiefs regarding the matter, as he
did not regard 1t as matter for discus
sion. He also refused to discuss 1t today,
on the ground that the new order of things
a
Congress and he could not discuss a con-
gressional action without being guilty of
improperly.
The District Government.
Commissioner Macfarland said: II shall
have made an examination Of the statutes
to see whether any particular time is pre-
scribed for employees of the District gov
ernment If so, shall bring it to the at
tention of the Commissioners for. considera
tion if the requirement Is not now being
met. But the statutes prescribing the hours
of daily service for employees of the execu-
tive departments of the national govern
ment do not apply to the District of CO.
lumbia unless the District government is
mentioned. The Supreme Court has held
in a series of decisions that the District
government is municipal corporation and
not part of the executive government of
the United States
What Mr.. Hemenway Says.
Representative Hemenway, chairman of
the House appropriations committee, when
asked this afternoon for the views of the
committee regarding the proposed length
ening of the hours of service of the various
department clerks, stated:
THE departments are continually asking
US for increased clerical help. We think
they should get along with the clerks that
they have. If it is necessary to transact
the public business that these clerks should
work until 4:30 o'clock each afternoon, why
we have no objection"
This, he declared, expressed the opinion
of the committee.
1t is stated that Representative Gillett of
the appropriations committee wrote letters
to the Treasury Department and other de-
partments making inquiries about the hours
of labor of the employees of the depart
ments. and asking whether the employees
worked the whole seven hours fixed by law.
The communications from Mr.. Gillett, with
the verbal positions of other members of
the committee. were placed before the
cabinet, which quickly reached it's conclu-
sion.
Questions for Settlement
1t is stated this afternoon that there are
many employees of the government upon
whom the order will not fall as an objec-
tionable document. These include a large
number of overworked men and women in
various departments; many employees who
go to work at 8 o'clock and the watchmen
and others who go on duty in eght-hour
shifts
Watchmen in the departments, especially
in the treasury, work in eight-hour squads,
and this decision will probably not change
their hours. What will be the case with
employees who now go to work at o'clock
each morning and quit at is not known.
question will be raised whether these
will be required to work the extra half
hour. These and many other questions
will come up for settlement before the new
order of things is adjusted all around.
Decision of Committee.
1t was learned this afternoon that before
action was taken by the heads of depart
ments the members of the appropriations
committee had decided to insert in the leg
islative bill the provision that the clerks
should work the extra half hour.
FIFTEENTH ARTICLE REACHED.