The Washington times., 1904-05-05
SICK LEAVE RULE
STIRS Up STORM
At THE LIBRARY
The Employees Complain
About New Govern
ment Order.
OBJECTIONABLE CLAUSES
Would Subtract From An
nual Leave-POWer Given
Chiefs of Divisions.

Chiefs of Divisions.
Even the 'bOOkworm Will turn.
tt is is shown in the fact that some of
the employees at the Congressional
Library are complaining against a new
Government rule regulating sick leave.
which they say works a serious ha-d-
ship.
The rule was published January z
but its Objectionable features, say the
Complainants, are more than ever ap-
Iarent now that the time for the an
nuai summer holidays approaches
There are more women employed "A
the Library as clerks. proportionately,
than in any other department OF the
Government, and for this reason. even
though the disanected portion Is
claimed to be small, the sound Of their
lamentations has been considerable.
In the cool classic halls Of the Library
fl has echoed back and forth with in
creasing volume until the noise of the
weeping and wailing and gnashing of
teeth" threatens to shatter forever the
serenity which formally brooded over
the place.
Cut Sick Leave
''They have cut seriously into our sick
leave privileges" said one highly indig
nant young woman today. who has had
time TO devote her mind TO other things
besides poring over a long catalogued
list OF dry printed volumes and some
OF US. when we go to take our vacation
this summer will find that we have lost
much OF our thirty days annual leave
because from il is 10 be subtracted the
little illnesses which caused US 10 stay
at home for day or more. Heretofore
If one had the grip or a cold the tenn
porary absence would not be counted
on the annual leave. but would be con-
tanned in the regular sick leave.
THE rule was not announced until the
end of January. but during that month
many had the grip and they viii prob
ably forfeit their time on their summer
vacations I have investigated the mat
ter, and ! see no reason why there
should be such stringent measures put
into effect 1t is shown by the records
that the average sick leave in the de-
partment for the two or three years has
been about eight days for each person.
Intention of Rule.
In answer 10 these complaints the Of
ficials OF the Library TO say that there is
no possible intention to curtaH the sick
leave privileges OF those who are really
worthy of II. They say that the new
regulation. which is Dased On that
adopted some time ago by the Navy
Department. merely transfers the dis
cretlOnary powers in granting the sick
leave TO the chiefs of the divisions. in
stead Of leaving the matter Of taking
leave entirely in the hands Of the clerks
themselves
The librarian in an authorized state
ment in regard 70 the matter today
said: while the clerks at the Library
have a fine record for their efficiency
and faithfuness and while 80 per cent
OF the force take practically no sick
leave at all. there are a few who have
fallen into the habit OF taking as sick
leave day OF here and another day
there IN such a way and at such time
as 10 suggest thar they regard the
thirty days Of possible sick leave as
much Of a right-as much a matter Of
course-as the thirty days Of annual
leave The law does not 50 express il.
1t authorizes sick leave only IN 'ex-
ceptional and meritorious' cases. The
purpose Of this circular was 70 can
attention anew TO the law and 10 ex-
press a little more in detail than had
heretofore been done a method Of pro-
cedure under IT, II was issued by the
chief clerk after a meeting Of the
chiefs Of divisions at which its pro-
visions were discussed. II mentions
the practice of one Of the executive
departments IN determining what cases
are exceptional and meritorious-
Discretionary Power
THE rule does not state that that in |
depreciation shall absolutely control |
with us. Each case Is stnl left to be /
considered on its merits.
There are employees physically not
very strong who are obliged, against I
their will, 10 absence beyond the thirty I
days. They are doing 50 high a species |
of work that their service should not /
be lost 10 the Library. If. however. they 4
cannot hll out the working year con- I
templated by the law. it is rather their I
misfortune than the fault Of the Gov !
eminent; and the additional absence 4
ought presumably 10 be taken az their 4
expense. There Is no law providing for /
habitual sick leave AT the expense Of I
the Government
There are a few employees Ga very
Few indeed. ] am happy 20 say who /.
physician. and without apparent physi-
cal irallty. have drawn regularly full I
tnirty days as sick leave in addition /
80 N--+- leaFT OF dtNual leave. InHF }
nav. no DOUBT done IL through mis-
understanding
This circular was 10 correct that /
MISUNDERSTANDING. Ia had 70 be cor
rvcteoi Tor the absences 10 which };
leaos emDarr;tss the conduct Of the "a /
Tlous DIVISIONS ana throw more work
on the remaining employees Also. the
"a slect OF the rule by a few persons
az, ouliSes the main body Of the foicr
VITO are ConsclentiOusly observing ~
The circular IS thus IN a neaslir,
ior the protection Of the conscientious
Inc Library of Congress employs 81
CLERKS and OF these 100 are women