The Washington times., 1907-03-03
LANDS ON NECKS
Of GOV. CLERKS
House Committee Deals
Blow to Agitation for In
creased Salary.
Declares That Employees Of
Uncle Sam Are Paid
Above Average.

The House Committee on Expenditures
IN the Agricultural Department. dealt
the increase salary proposition for Gov
eminent clerks a terrific blow in its re-
port submitted 10 the House yesterday
afternoon, and its influence may be felt
when the question comes up IN the Six
tleth Congress.
The report says,
I'VE have carefully examined the
heads Of the bureaus, Offices. and divis-
ions for the purpose OF ascertaining the
amount of the salaries paid, the stead
mess with which the employees are kept
al work, the basis upon which promo
uons have been made, and the distinc-
tioHs between the various classes Of
clerks. AS a rule the testimony before
Us has shown that the salaries are
graded in proportion 10 the services zen
dered. and that as promotions are made
and salaries Increased. increased service,
either IL the line OF quantity or quality,
is demanded Of and rendered by the en-
ployes. We have not had time 10 pros
eeute our inquiries by examining indl-
vidual clerks in the department Under
Il rule issued by the Secretary OF Agri-
culture, an efficiency record is kept and
appointments are made upon that basis.
This record is open to each employe up-
on application 10 the Secretary.
Upon the question Of the amount OF
salary received by Government en-
pioyes. as compared with those in pri-
vate employment. we had the testimony
OF two Witnesses who had examined into
The subject with care and devoted a
great deal OF time 70 IT, DR.. Galloway,
OF the Bureau OF Plant Industry. testf-
fed that ne had been investigating the
question Of Government salaries in com
parisou with salaries paid outside for
the last eighteen months in concert with
a subcommittee Of which he was chair
man II states, as the result Of
HIS investigation. that the Government
clerks from S1.400 down are receiving
substantially . per cent more than
people doing the same class Of work in
private employ, and taat IT Is true OF
the other departments as well as Of the
Department of Agriculture.
Mr.. Pinchot. the Forester, says that
he has had occasion TO examine the
general question Of salaries. and when
asked over what period Of time his in
vestigation has extended, says:
80 I have been investigating it with
a good deal Of care ever since came
into the Government service. but the
Keep Committees investigation Of this
subject has been prosecuted mainly
within the last year. / would like TO
say at this point, Mr. Littleheld, that
I have reached the conclusion. very
definitely. that in general the efficiency
Of an organization. as we'll as Of the
men IN IL. depends on the salaries and
promotions, and on the way the salaries
and promotions are handled. more than
/ on any other single factor; and there
/ fore have given a great deal Of at
| tentiOn TO that question.
| % The employees in the lower clerical
positions are overpaid, as compared
with those in the outside business
| world
! Would you be able TO fix approx
mately a limit within which the salaries
would be called lower-say from s., 400
| DOWN. Mr. PinchOt was asked
% From 81. 100 DOWN he replied. the
| salaries Of Government clerks are from
% to 50 per cent higher than paid men
| of the same ability rendering similar
service for private parties "