The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-01-29
WASHINGTON TER

From our Regular cirresponlen
WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. 49,.
Z heEs IRE eighteen thousand clerk
employed In the Government Depart
lIlettt II Washington. They are pal,
rem ten TO- thirty per cent, highel
tran private firms pay for the SAINT
t:tass of work. Their hours are from
nine ii four thirty with a luncheon
liaiE hour included They are entitled
thirty days vacation each year ant
thirty days sick leave. In summer
sAaeyS are dismissed earlier every .af
tsrnoon ana; at noon. Saturdays. The!
ave every legal holiday and a few
oeal zones etra, and yet the United
8harbors scarcely a more dis
eatented class. Not satisfied viii
Icing less work for more money thar
Any body Of clerks in the countr.
they have regarded themselves as thu
rateges Of the Government and viii
Vested right terminable only Al
teath, Or after the funeral expenses
sliaye been paid. For years they have
lteens ctamorons for old age pensions
Washington newspapers which
srs largely dependant upon this large
class Of subscribers have encouraged
! tlemI to think that they might force
tie government 70 thus take care Of
than when they were no longer able
~ gork the government for them
selves. Secretary Shaw, Of the Treas
sarys however, does not take the view
Tie Washington newspapers and in
szi address before the Civil Service
aetirement Association as the organ,
saian elamoring for pensions Is
be oppressed his objections to
ne! alan in Language SO delicate but
sulsllniift that the cause has suffered
.alsertous let back. Gently crfticizing
The government clerk, who as a rule
the firm conviction that he is
~ g aasttF of the government, he de-
spfctedl1tilm Is weaned from ali ambi-
tnis Taifation and self reliance AMI
Saedi the, department service as one
fnuiHlk routine Of everlasting, unin.
steresttng drudgery He proposed that
mr. the good Of the service and the
slefh himself 1t would be well II the
period Of appointment to a clerkship
Ehnllld be limited TO six years. At the
Sndt az thai period, he suggests the
pstnr1tnent empleye should be ineli.
sibIe except by executive order for
chiefs Of divisions and similar promo;
lhns, In Shfs way he believes that
tsh blood would be brought to the
routine work. and The clerk would not
Ne snhieeted. to the stultifylng iniu'
'3encH Of rurhine work in a position re-,
Sgardei as permanent He believes
itlt such, an arrangement would re.
.sglt ID ohe government departments
hec0miag 8 great school for future
business men and women, and that
The knowledge Of the position hold
ms hut six years would serve to de-
yeIop III the clerk these virtues Of self
relIancg economy and thrift in which
ne Is under the present arrangement
So GsNc!ent. ,
Another plan suggested by the
u et3Ansnt Association that the gov.
arp1Ieut entVtoyes who as a class arc
never able 10 Fay aside a part Of their
salary for a rainy day and old age
should be assisted by the government
which might withhold a stipulated
s1npensatlon to nay as an annuity
sRt the retirement Of the clerk or as
d sgss sum tolis family at his death,
Receiving to this the secretary sail,
sl4et me- appeal 10 you, that having
eolle to mans estate you manage
yu.f nwH affairs. Don't ask the gov.
aIfIuysnt to put you on an allowance
Etlkeai tftule child. Stand on your feet,
3Illnks fasoIutely into the fllture and
alioW NIT the time is coming when
yqa cannot earn as now and that
rents will not BE reduced to meet
! your inhrnities nor grocery bills dis
Slraaaieesd: There are few pictures
moro Bsad thar u bright, young man
anhit hopa ~, accept ting goy
ssE;IlStlent Mon tepping tone !'llff
4 hlaf teFsahs Then bscaustf
INIT tsinIat q ibetts Nm
tSiinl oRltyia tpaSi
income no mtltt ny
ilsn geaotea, aptil ol'i rs syeT
i.lsss linn and lie'is compelied 10 ac
mt sfaaua reduttIons In salary AMI
r''inais separation from tie service
ID $40 hone Of stimulating irueal