The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-04
He IS SATISFIED.
Congressman Reeder Doesn't
Want More Salary.
Thinks That S5, 200 Per Year
Is Enough.
HITS BOARDING HOUSES
They Only Would Profit by the
Increase.
Government Officials Considered
Their Legitimate Prey.

washington, Jan. Awhile all this
taiK is going on in Washington about
increasing salaries of public servants
poth OFFICIALS and employees. and par
tlcularly members of congress, it is re-
1reshing to find one statesman who
thinks he is being paid enough byUncle
Sam.
Ihls statesman is William A. Reeder
OF the Sixth Kansas district Mr.. Reed
er taxes no stock in this movement
now on to increase salaries of members
OF congress. He cheerfully says So He
thinks $4,000 is enough. He says it is
more than many members of congress
yes, more than most of them-would get
in any other line of business or station
in life in their own homes Hence Mr..
Reeder is not inclined to be sorry be-
cause the house of representatives the
other day voted down Mr.. Tawney's
amendment to raise congressional sal
aries from $1,000 per annum to $500.
Mr.. Reeder thinks that if this were
done, however, it would accrue to the
benefit of the Washington boarding
housekeepers. do we not all know"
he says, that the boarding houses get
all they can out of us? They regulate
prices according to what a man does
for the government. The poor govern
the secretaries and congressional clerks
get 'stung;' but the members of con-
gress are the ripe, luscious fruit the
boarding houses keep their eyes glued
on. Hence say that if merlbers of
congress got so per cent more salary,
they would not get the benefit of it
while congress was in session, at any
rate
Mr.. Reeder knows all about board
ing houses. He has tried them all. He
hoe IN, XToc c1,f ton h fa1e
ington flats, Washington houses. and
then. sandwich ed in between times,
Washington boarding houses. He is
perhaps more nearly a judge of them
most of them either keep house or live
at hotels. The home life of member
of congress while in Washington is not
very attractive, at best. and Mr.. Reed
er is entitled to his little fling.
1t is possible that the salaries will
go up in the legislative appropriation
bill in the senate. This bill has been
considered during the vacation by the
senate committee on appropriations,
and there has been good deal of a
sentiment in favor of increased SAL
aries. If the committee does not
place such provision in the bill, Sen
ator Gallinger of New Hampshire, and
a member of the committee, has
served notice that he will press an
on the floor of the senate.
There is no question that the salary
of members of congress should be
raised. Everything has increased in
the past few years except salaries. 1t
is a good deal as, Mr.. Reeder says-a
man on a salary from the government
Is "stung'' here in Washington. The
parting admonition of the senator, the
member of congress, the secretary, or
the government clerk, to his wife, as
she goes house hunting, is. Don't let
them know we work for the govern
But it's hard to fool a gen
uine Wasnin gtonian, and so, sooner or
later the poor government official or
amploye gets it.
OF all the Kansas house members,
Mr.. Calderhead was the only one who
yoted for the increase in salary. He
believes in it. He has nerve to back
lis Judgment He considers that in
.hese DAYS of high priced products and
a man who Is worth his
ALT to the government as lawmaker
5 worth more than $4,000. So Mr..
Ialderhead stood up and voted for the
Increase.
Othere Kansas members were in
'avor of the increase, but when they
aw it was beaten anyway, they voted
ieainSt it