The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-03
TO AID GOVERNMENT WORKERS
CIVIC FEDERATION TO TAKE UP
THEIR BAD TREATMENT.
Conference ia Washington This Fall 60 Urge
the National Government TO Treat Its
Men Better Question OF Pensions for
All such Employees 20 he Discuss ed.

NWNh ICtNt VI NttStuttt ~
All such Employees to he Discuss ed.
Washington will be the scene OF a great
gathering OF the National Civic Federation
this fall to agitate better conditions for en-
ployees in the various industries. according
TO an announcement made yesterday by the
secretary Of the federation, Miss Gertrude
Beeks, incidentally it was made known
that Miss Beeks will leave soon for the Canal
Zone to investigate the immoral conditions
which are said to exist there. Both Miss
Beeks's trip and the coming meeting at
Washington have the indorse ment Of Secre-
,tary Taft.
The chief object Of the Washington meet
ing Is to better the condition Of Govern
ment employees and to agitate the pension
question. The committee appointed to
carry on this work met in Washington last
week to perfect the final arrangements.
The oficers OF the committee are: Chair
man. William H. Taft, Secretary Of War;
first vice-chairman. John G.. W. Beckham,
Governor Of Kentucky; second vice-chalr-
man. George W. Guthrie. Mayor Of Pitts
burg; third vice-chairman, William r.
Wilcox, Postmaster of New York; secretary.
Miss Gertrude Beeks.
There is also a subcommittee composed
Of State and municipal officials, who ave
to do with the working conditions Of public
employees.
The following statement was given out
by Miss Beeks in explanation Of what the
federation hoped to accomplish and deal
with:
Tit business OF the Government has prac-
tically doubled in certain Departments within
the past five years. which has resulted in
HI
in the Patent Office, for instance, claim that
It is not pleasant TO be obliged to read Of
improvements in ventilation devices and
other conveniences for -ich patents are
asked when they are forced to work in close.
dusty basement rooms previously used
only for the filing OF records. In the Winder
Building the accumulation of dust since the
Of Lincoln. it is claimed. has caused
serious irritation Of eyes and pulmonary
affections OF employees required to work
constantly among the records. Former
Secretary Shaw spoke OF the Bureau Of Print
ing and Engraving as "a first class sweat
shop" the machinery being crowded COM
pactly into the workrooms and the. ventilation
bad.
New buildings erected by the Government.
such as the Library OF Congress and the one
for public printing, contain modern wash
rooms and spacious, properly lighted and
WorkroOtnS.
Congressman Bennet. who learned at a
meeting Of the welfare department OF the
Civic Federation Of the emergency
hospitals installed in many factories, in
a resolution of inquiry In the House
Of Representatives with reference to facilities
In Government buildings in the city Of Wash
for administering first aid TO en-
ployees. President Roosevelt Immediately
asked for reports from the various Depart
ments and 1t was found that such provision
made in only one. An employee OF the
Government, a compositor in the Depart
nent Of Public Printing. whose sympathy
was stirred by the sight Of employees lying
IN the floor awaiting the arrival Of an am
lulance for the purpose OF carrying them to
hospital, had fitted up a small room In which
% care for such employees.
Treasurer Treat does not hesitate to de-
lounce the conditions In his own Depart
nent, where scores of women are working
n dark. unhealthful basement rooms. The
lust and germs wheret The old money is counted
ire a constant menace to health.
Many improvements are being made at
military posts in providing sanitary arrange
nents. for gymnasiums and amusement
ooms.
In New York within the last year through
efforts OF Postmaster Wilcox several
postal stations have been provided, dis
,lacing i'll ventilated. unsanitary workrooms,
md in these new structures there are com
rest rooms in which the postmen
nay spend their idle hours reading, smoking
r playing games bet ween swings" Some
tations are crowded, unolean and ~unsanitary
containing swing rooms UNIT for occu-
'ancy, the corner saloons prove more at
.ractive.
The care Of the sick and insane in State and
ity institutions. with the attendant sun
nd emaCiation, is exceedingly depressing.
o maintain health among the men and
Somen helpers periods of rest and recreation
re as essential as proper food and sanitary
ormitOries. Where such provisions for en-
loyees are not provided there Is a decided
isadvantage to the State or municipality in
administering the institutions. for only the
owest type OF help can be secured.
While connected with some State hospitals
here are model dormitories for the employees
nd there are clubhouses providing whole
ONE amusement. in many institutions the
OF the employees are not only
eplorable but a disgrace TO communities
hitch should be model employers.
No private employer would be allowed TO
nbiect his employees TO the unhealthful con-
itions which have been endured by police
zen, notably in the stations in New York
ity, where they have been crowded
ito small, unsanitary sleeping apartments.
through the efforts OF the welfare depart
tent Of the Civic Federation the Commits
oner OF the Police Department recently
lodifed the platoon system In order to OBJ
late the inhumanly long working hours OF
ne policemen.
There are many types OF employees to be
by the efforts OF the new committee
n welfare work for Government employees.
mong those employed in the different De-
artments. the navy yards. a~rsenals, State
nd city Institutions TO be affected are clerks,
soldiers. printers. machinists. carpen-
postmen, 1remen, policemen. brick
Iyers. iron workers. moulders. painters,
pattern makers. engineers. chem
Is, b~lacksmiths, boiler makers, crane men.
ospitu orderlics and trained nurses.
The subject of pensions, In which all Gov
employees are kcenly interested.
in bc given consideration. In every De-
artmcnt this Is a 1.-Two issue and there are or
anlzatlons Of Government employees which
ere formed for the purpose Of securing
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