Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
FOR INCREASE OF PAY
Sentiment in Congress as to
Government Employees.
SEVERAL BILLS INTRODUCED
Report OF a Special Message by the
President.
SHORT SESSION A DRAWBACK
Measure Affecting Force of Big
Printery-Views of One Of
Department Workers.

Several bills have been introduced during
| the present session of Congress providing
| for an increase of pay to all employees of
| the government, and the indications are
that the general subject will receive more
attention at the Capitol this winter than
| in many years heretofore. The remarkable
prosperity of the country together with the
| fact that many railroads and other corpo-
! rations-infiuenced by prevailing conditions
have voluntarily raised the salaries of
| employees, has brought the proposition be-
fore both branches of the national legis-
latnre with such force that consideration is
certain and action possible.
During the past week several members
of the House of Representatives have taken
President Roosevelt is to send to Con-
gress, during the present session, a message
urging that all employees of the United
States government, including the army,
the navy and the Marine Corps, be granted
an increase of - per cent in pay. So far,
nothing has been officially given out at the
White House which would indicate that
such is fact but the President is said to
be considering the matter very earnestly.
Sentiment in Congress.
1t is very apparent however. that there
| is considerable sentiment in Congress for
an increase of some kind to government
employees. Representative Southwick of
New York the first member of the
House to Introduce salary increase meas
ure. He pu. his bill in more than a week
ago, believing that the present condition
of the finances of the United States and the
general prosperity of people in all walks of
life justified congressional action on the
subject. 1t provided for a 10 per cent in
crease to government employees. Several
days later Representative Livingstone of
Georgia, member of the House appropri-
atoms committee and one of the strongest
men on the minority side of the chamber,
commented favoraby on the report he had
heard that the President would send
salary increase message to Congress. Mr..
Livingstone is understood to be preparing
bill on the subject for Introduction in the
near future. In fact. he would probably
have introduced it during the past week
were it not for the fact that he desires to
know, before fixing any certain percentage
of increase in his measure, just how much
it would cost the government per annum,
for, say, 10 or 20 per cent raise to all
government employees.
Representative Jones of Washington last
Friday introduced bill providing for
20 per cent increase to government en-
ployes In addition to the bills re-
ferred to several have been introduced pro-
viding for an increase in all grades of the
military and naval establishments.
More Generous Compensation.
The Introduction of the bills is indicative
of a growing sentiment in Congress in
favor of more generous compensation to
government employees. Some members of
the House oppose the proposition to give
an Increase all along the line. believing
that some government positions are at
present overcapitaized, while those con-
stituting the rank and file of the working
force of the departments are underpaid
1t Is said to be not at all improbable
that the whole proposition may be before
Congress during the present session, al
though the time for due consideration of
the matter is somewhat limited. and if
such does happen. those who believe it
would not be just to increase the govern
ment force en- masse will ask for a COM
prehensive readjustment of salaries.
Short Session a Disadvantage.
The fact that this is the short session
will work to the disadvantage Of the salary
increase proposition Congress having little
enough time as tits to finish absolutely
necessary business. But, at any rate the
proposition will receive an impetus this
year that will carry it over into the next
Congress. should nothing be done at the
present session.
Many members of Congress are thor
oughly convinced of the justice of the
claim, made by friends of government en-
ployes, that the latter have had absolutely
no benefit from the general prosperity of
the times. The large sum that would be
added to the public pay roll were the gen.
eral increase provided for will doubtless
keep some gentlemen at both ends of the
Capitol lukewarm on the proposition, but
at the same time the friends of the in
crease plan think that the sentiment
throughout the country Is in favor of hav-
ing government servants share in the good
standing of the government, and believe
that even those now opposed to the plan
can be brought to time If present condi-
tons continue.
At Government Printing Office.
The bill prepared for presentation to Con-
gress by Mr.. James L. Feeney, president of
the bool0binders union of this city, which
provides for general increase of 20 per
cent in the salaries Of the bookbinders,
compositors and pressmen employed at the
government printing Office, was generally
discussed and approved among local arti-
sans last night. The rate Of pay per hour
is increased to the amount that was paid
about thirty years ago-sixty cents. That
would make the per diem pay of the
classes of workmen named $3.50 for eight
hours work.
Members of Washington workingmens
associations We're loud in their praise of
Representative Henry M. Godfrey of Mis-
souri, who has taken charge Of the meas
ure, 1t is said.
In discussing the bill Mr.. Feeney ex-
planned that. considering the increased
rents and higher prices of all household
II, frfv fof L.