The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-22

AFTER more than four hours OF DEBATE
yesterday afternoon the Senate passed
the legislative, executive and judicial
bill
All efforts to get attached to the bill
provision for an increase Of the pay
of Government clerks failed. Senator
Bacon introduced his amendment for
a 20 per cent increase for the employees
on the civil list Of the Government in
Washington whose pay does not eX-
coed 81. 500 but a point of order was
raised against it and was sustained by
Vice President Fairbanks.
But while this effort to increase the
nav Of the Government clerks seemed
failure. it nevertheless served 10
bring about some results. It caused "a
sharp debate in the Senate, and it
SerVe ed to call out from Senator CulioE,
who had charge of the bill, a statement
that lie was considering the question OF
more pay for the clerks. that the coy
mittee on appropriations was giving the
subject thought and that a special com
mittee or commission ought 10 be Sc
Iected 20 look into the problem.
Promises to Consider Increase.
Senator Warren, also on the Senate
Appropriations Committee and on the
subcommittee in charge Of the hill, gave
assurances, 100, that the Senate APP
propriations Committee would deal with
the question if given time. Senators
who pleaded for increased pay for the
clerks were practically given to under
stand that something would be done in
another year
Senator Bacon gave notice two OF
three days ago OF his purpose to present
his amendment increasing the pay OF
the Government employees, and yester-
day presented the amendment toward
the close o. the discussion. His amend
ment provided that an increase o. 20
per cent should be made IN the salaries
of clerks and employees in the classified
service in the executive departments Ia
Washington IN cases where the com
pensation now did not exceed S1,so0 a
year.
The amendment was framed to in
cIude employees IN the Library of Con-
gress and tie Government Printing Of
fee. II excepted from the benefits Of
the increase any class OF clerks OF en-
ployes whose salaries had been raised
since December /, 1905
Takes Part of Clerks.
Mr.. Bacon spoke at some length on
the amendment. He pointed out that he
intended only 10 aid the Government
employees who had not been included
i'm the salary increases OF the last two
years. He said this class ought ab9ve
all others to commend itself to the con-
sideration of the Senate, and that the
clerks had no one to intercede in their
behalf whatever may be the eNpe-
rience of other Senator's" said Senator
Bacon. not a single one OF the clerks
or employees has suggested 10 me a
movement I'm their favor. 1 am led TO
do so by the fact that increased pay
has been allowed to other classes Of
employees"
No Senator, asserted Senator Bacon,
had taken issue with him on the mer-
its OF an increase of salary for the
clerks and employees. All had said that
the same conditions that made it prop
or for Senators TO increase their own
salaries. the salaries Of the Federal
Judges. those OF the heads OF depart
ments, and the pay Of the army and
navy. made It proper TO increase the
salaries Of the clerks. II was argued
that this was not the time TO make the
increase.
Cannot Wait Year.
Mr.. President" said Senator Bacon,
lit is a serious matter to postpone
action for a year. A years increase
Of living expenses without correspond
ing increase Of salaries is serious
matter. Why should we wait another
wear? II has been a year since we