Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-29
Government Salaries.
To the Editor of The Star,

Employees OF the government owe The
Star q debt of gratitude in return for the
firm stand 1t is taking in their behalf re-
garding increased salaries Its arguments
based upon thorough knowledge of the
situation. are sound and convincing to all
fair-minded persons in Washington. But
why do the increased burdens of the gov
eminent clerk" receive SO much prom
inence? Why discriminate between him
and his notwithstanding and lower-sal-
aried neighbor? The writer does not as
sumo that the clerks are overpaid. On the
contrary, they are not as we'll off today as
they were ten years ago with the same SAL
aries, owing to the prevailing higher prices
The point aimed at is that every argu-
ment used to favor increased salaries for
clerks applies with even greater force and
reason to all lower-salaried employees of the
government They are "all in the same
boat"
1t needs no argument TO show that the
lower the salary the greater the hardship
and self-denial, with lessened ability to Law
aside something for the proverbial rainy
day.. The experience of all. at one time or
another In life, proves the truth of it, The
90 per cent increase generously voted by
members of Congress to their own salaries
Will not be used for more food or better
food, nor for finer clothes. It will not be
actually needed on account of increased
living expenses due to higher prices. 1t
will not add to their home comforts. Their
present salary Of 5000 for each session
amply provides for all reasonable desires in
this line, with a handsome remainder. Be-
sides, most congressman have renumerative
side lines, or private business, during the
fourteen months (average) interval between
each Congress. To their subordInates, how
ever, increased compensation will mean
more Of the comforts of life and greater
provision for sickness and other needs. OF
all the different classes of government en-
ployes. none are more deserving of an in
crease Of pay than the printers. The work
of the printer Is especially nerve-racking.
He Is constantly subjected to numerous an
moving vexations, which often try his pa
thence to the utmost. But in spite Of the
greatest pains mistakes will occur in his
work. An especially trying feature Of the
government printers work Is the frequent
'hurry-up" Jobs that come in like a whirl-
wind. Some department head or chief
wishes to make q record; the desire IL con-
tagious and the foremen sometimes have
bad attacks. The compositor may already
be tired. tho cases may be nearly empty.
but the job must be out on time. neverthe-
less. Hurry! hurry! is the watchword.
until the type is all set and corrected and
the forms are on the press 1t Is the pace
that kills. and this hurried work In the
government printing Office has an injurious
and lasting effect on all concerned. 1t is
one of the leading causes Of paralysis. 30
common to printers.
The bulk OF the hurried work and extra
work comes from Congress. After working
all day the printer Is asked to work part
Of the night. frequently to 0 o'clock. Tor on
Sundays). One-half hour Is allowed him to
go out and snatch q hasty lunch. Night
after night this will be kept up, until the
average man II almost tired Of life under
such conditions. To be sure. extra work Is
paid for. but few printers care to earn
money at such an expenditure OF nerve
force and lack Of nourishment. Extra work,
however. seems necessary in order to keep
up with increased demands. Mention might
be made of other trials Of the printer, such
as the early impairment and not infreQuent
loss Of his eyesight. due to the constantly
overtaxing strain on those organs from
poor light and the peculiar demands OF his
work. But enough has been said to prove
that no class Of Uncle Sans employees are
more richly deserving of reasonable In
crease OF their already hard-earned salaries.
CHARLES H. COE.