The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-26
GET MORE.
BRAINY MEN LESS,
THAN ELSEWHERE
Optimistic Times Correspondent Points Out
Advantages of Working for Uncle Sam"
AS General Clerks, Stenographers,
And Accountants.

To the Editor Of The Sunday Times:
Does Government departmental work
offer an inviting field for young men
and women of ability, energy, and ambi-
ton?
The departments Of the Government
do offer an inviting field for a young
man or woman OF the ability required
Of clerks and stenographers. Comparing
these positions with those in mercant tile
pursuits. for example the Government
pays from p to 80 per cent more salary
for the same work. has definite hours.
offers liberal vacations and sick leave
gives opportunity for some social life;
that is. the clerk can form closer ac-
quaintances in the Government office
than IN the mercantile office and has
time for social and intellectual develop
ment outside.
Mercantile Clerk at Disadvantage.
/ The mercantile clerk. in very many
instances. meets with exactly the oppo-
site conditions-long hours, short vaca-
lions. no social life, and are driven on
In their work with but little personal
consideration. When one falls behind on
account Of III health brought on by
overwork or too long hours. another is
put in his place to keep the cogs In the
wheel complete and the machinery run
ming. The managers and sub-managers
strive 10 make good record for them
selves by getting the work done as
cheaply as possible At the same time,
the fact should not be overlooked that
there is a possibility in mercantile bust
ness OF an Office boy. for example. work
ing his way up until he becomes a part
ner in the business and. perchance
manager Of the company; this, however.
largely because OF his ability to make
money for the company and because OF
his shrewdness in business affairs. The
Government positions cannot present
such inducements 20 the low-saIaried
clerk Railroads offer, perhaps. about
the same conditions as the mercantile
business, so far as clerks and typewrsxs
ers are concerned. They offer poor aS
and slow advancement. The banking
business possibly offers a little better
conditions to the clerk than the railway
or the mercantile business little less
grind and pressure
Higher Positions Different.
been said. up to this point, refers only
10 positions on the order Of clerks. stem
Ographers, accountants. etc. The higher
positions in the Government and in bust
hess affairs present quite a different
picture. The Government does not offer
TO the scientist or 10 men capable Of
holding positions as heads Of bureaus
and divisions anything like the induce
ments, particularly financially. as the
business world This class of men in
the Government at The present time is
very much underpaid; in fact, they 10
not receive as a rule more than one-hals|
the salaries that men Of the same
ability command in mercantile and other
business pursuits
The question then arises. Why is he in
the Government service2 He IS there
because this position gives him more
prominence; because he has more indi-
viduahty: because the social life is more
attractive: because he is enabled to
meet men all over the country. and. in
fact, the whole world, in the same pro-
fession; because he frequently has time
outside Of the department TO study along
special lines and has ready access to the
best literature on the subject, and. last