Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04
G GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
ANNUAL READJUsTMENT oF SAL
ARIES HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

The annual housecleaning of the geo.
logical survey has just been completed and
there has been a readjustment of salaries
and positions resulting from changes made
by Congress In the appropriations. Some
items have been reduced. while others have
been Increased It has long been the policy
of the survey to periodically readjust SAL
aries at such times. and to cut out eff
fectively as possible the dead wood or in
effective material.
The geological survey lie one Of the bu-
reaus of the government In which there are
very few fixed salaries and where promo
lions or changes are considered by board
or series of boards seeking annually to re-
adjust on the basis of ability shown. 1t is
Of course easy to recommend the advance
ment of one man another, but the most
difficult, and at the same time necessary,
work Of the director is that of cutting down
from time to time the pay of men who. be-
cause OF one reason or another, have shown
diminished activity or who are accom-
plishing less results than their associates.
There are always few persons who,
through advancing age, sickness or other
infirmities gradually drop out. and In the
interest of good administration as well as
equity the director must study how to re-
duce the pay in accordance with the work
performed. This is not only difficult, but
frequently Distressing. in that men who
have worked faithfully for years must be
told that they are no longer young and
that they cannot block the way of the
more efficient and aggressive men-those
upon whom Is laid the responsibility of
preserving high standard of effectiveness.
Many of these men have been exceptionally
able In their youth, and In recognition of
this they have been retained for years at
relatively high salaries. Instead of letting
them out entirely, it seems only fair and
proper to retain them at moderate pay and
to permit them to continue the duties which
they can effectively perform, and in which
they will not obstruct the work of the
younger men
In other cases men have fallen into bad
habits, and they are given the alternative
of reforming and sonnet times are put on a
per diem basis, with the understanding that
they must each day perform more effective
work than In the past. A little Earring of
this Kind is usually very effective, and in
a number of instances reduction of salary
has not only been beneficial to the organ
tzatfon as a whole. but has stimulated the
individual to increased activity and has
resulted in restoration to the higher grade.
A number of instances which would be
ludicrous, If not pathetic, have arisen from
the attempt of various persons in other bu-
reaus to get transferred to the geological
survey. under the belief that the work was
easy and promotions rapid. Some of these
persons having energy and strength, have
won out; others have deplored their rash
ness and have tried to get back to the
bureau from which they came, only to find
the responsible heads of these bureaus, who
were glad to recommend them for transfer
will not now take them back under any
consideration. and that their only recourse
is to go into private employment. The
maneuvers of these people. when they find
that they cannot make good In the sur
vey, and cannot get back into their old
places, are surprising