Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-02
WELFARE OF EMPLOYES
Committee Formed for Anchor
alton of Conditions.
IMPROVEMENT NECESSIT0US
Government Clerks Work in Close,
Dusty, Ill-Ventilated Rooms.
HEALTH CONSTANTLY MENACED
Subject of Service Pensions to Be Dis
cussed, With Other Topics, at
a Conference Next Fall.
IMPROVEMENT NECESSITOUS
HEALTH CONSTANTLY MENACED

The welfare department of the National
Civic Federation announces the organiza-
ton of a national committee on welfare
work for government employees The OBJ
ject of this committee will be to create ar
interest in improving the working condi
lions of federal, state and municipal en-
ployes.
The officers of the committee are:
Chairman. William II. Taft Secretary of
War.
First vice chairman, John c. w. Beck
ham, governor of Kentucky.
Second vice chairman, George w. Guthrie,
mayor Of Pittsburg.
Third vice chairman, William r. Wilcox,
postmaster Of New York.
Secretary, Miss Gertrude Beeks.
The committee is composed of state and
municipal officials who have to do with the
working conditions Of public employees,
chairmen of boards of health, heads Of de-
partments of public safety leading physi-
clans connected with public hospitals. heads
of charity boards and others.
The welfare department of the National
Civic Federation is composed of employers
in different industries throughout the United
States. Its object Is to interest employers
in improving the working and living condi-
lions of their employees. The topics covered,
representing the voluntary efforts of en-
ployers for the benefit of their employees,
are sanitary work places recreation, edu-
cational opportunities, housing and provi-
dent funds.
Complaints Of Employees.
Some improvements needed are indicated
by complaints of public employees and de-
partment heads with reference to crowded
workrooms, bad light and ventilation, lack
of emergency hospitals, of lunch rooms, and
of proper wash rooms. Recreation for en-
ployes who not only work but live in state
and city institutions should be provided
more generally.
The business of the government has prac-
tically doubled in certain departments with
in the past five years, which has resulted In
unfavorable working conditions. employees
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 which 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 time of Lincoln, 1t is claimed. has
caused serious irritation of eyes and pull
monary affections of employees required to
work constantly among the records.
Former Secretary Shaw spoke of the bureau
of printing and engraving as "a frst-class
sweatshop," the machinery being crowded
compactly into the workrooms and the ven
tilation bad.
such as the Library of Congress and the one
for public printing contain modern wash
rooms and spacious, properly lighted and
ventilated workrooms.
First Aid to Employees.
Representative Bennett, who learned at
meeting of the welfare department of the
National Civic Federation Of the emergency
hospitals installed in many factories, intro
duced a resolution of inquiry in the House
of Representatives with reference to facili-
ties in government buildings in the city Of
Washington for administering first aid to
employees. President Roosevelt Immediately
asked for reports from the various depart
ments, and it was found that such provision
was made in only one. An employe of the
government. a compositor in the department
of public printing, whose sympathy was
stirred by the sight of employees lying on
the floor awaiting the arrival of an am
bulance for the purpose of carrying them to
a hospital, had fitted UP small room in
which to care for such employees. AS there
was appropriation for supplies, he per-
sonaly paid for drugs, surgical dressings,
bandages. and other necessities. The pub
lie printer reported to President Roosevelt
that the arrangement had ~been very bene-
fetal to the employees, as some of the cases
were very urgent and needed immediate
attention: that go cases have been treated
since this emergency room has been In
stalled; and that previously it was neces-
sary to send out for physician, and II ne
was not at home the employee was left
lying on the floor of the work room, or
toilet room. suffering until could be
located.
In some of the departments there are
very good lunch rooms, while in others the
employees will be found sitting upon their
machines or standing outside of the build
ings, eating cold lunches brought from
home.
Constant Menace to Health.
Treasurer Treat does not hesitate to de-
no In dom art