Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-04-30

GRAN
provided and train car will carry
the tired legislator from the office
quarters to the House or Senate in the
Capitol building without subjecting
him to rough weather, parasite germs.
or other pernicious pimples out on the
earth. SEQ NJ Hill, Geo. p. Ham
brecht. a. B. Cotey of Pittsyille, and
A. L. Fontaine each had the pleasure
OF jaunt through this nice subway
during their recent visits in Washing
ton. Some marble bath tubs, condes-
cending servants. and perfumed soap
included in this computation makes
the twin picture sufficiently complete
for this writing.
With the foregoing needed increases
and comforts all carefully looked
after, it was generally expected that
| the government clerk would next be
given consideration. Of course the
plain clerk, punching the grades in an
aggregate, has an average salary under
81 200 per year. An increase of 80 per
cent in his case, as was voted in con-
| gress for congressman, would be so
small an amount in comparison for
each individual that it naturally ap-
peals to congress as a trivial matter
requiring Indifferent haste to adjust.
Besides, the plain clerk must stay in
Washington at least eleven months
every year instead of ten months dur
ing two years. He has grown gradu-
ally into the advanced cost of living
with the same old wage and he has
learned how to stint himself to meet
the exigencies.
Improved conditions for clerks have
been discussed at various angles dur
ing this congress Economy plans are
now in order. One party says that
/, expenditures must be curtailed, ap-
propriations must be clipped. Senator
Bacon, of Georgia, presented a bill
costs these lower grade clerks as much
more to live in proportion to their
salaries as it does the rest of us-they
should be taken care off, That is
pure partisan politics both ways. Re-
suit: Nothing doing for the clerk
just now There is encouragement
for the clerk, however, in nothing
that the army and navy branches
have received a small increase in the
last few days.
Oldest clerks in the service re-
peatedly tell me that during the past
10 years their work has constantly in
creased in responsibilities, hours of
employment have been heightened,
privileges have been curtailed, much
higher degree of efficiency is de-
manded, The sinecure days are gone
That there was justly ample room for
these corrections l can plainly see
There is great chance yet for i'm
provements.
Some investigator has drawn this
parallel as comparison since 1855: $50
per cent added to the members pay,
one hour and thirty minutes added to
the clerks day.
Congress as whole is an honorable
body, alive to the square deal and the
merits of every problem. 1t should
be assumed that those members who
really believed that the conditions Of
the times warranted an increase in
congressional salaries cannot consis-
tently turn their backs upon this
other proposition. No doubt at some
future day little Joe will get his bath.
This being government by the
people and for the people, perhaps
some of you people will be interested
concerning your servants.
Especial care for the revenues and
economy in administration being the
watchword at present. congress can
still do great justice by applying it
self to readjustment of salaries in the
Departments. Life work in different
bureaus is not receiving like compen
sation. Some executive chiefs and
heads of divisions are drawing salaries
disproportionate to the amounts al
lotted to their immediate assistants
who are carrying the actual work.
Clerks sitting side by side at desks on
exactly the same character of daily
grind get different rates of pay. In
stances are plenty where the least
competent receives the higher pay
5000 to $3.50 more for the same grade
of service. These disconcerting dis
examinations might be eQualized with
out adding dollar to the total eX-
pense appropriation l have no idea
that they will be fixed very soon.
AS an example a recent personal ex-
perience is submitted. The Miwau-
kee Sentinel announced that G. E. La
Vigne was appointed an editorial clerk
in the Department of Commerce and
Labor. Numerous letters of congral-
ulation have been received from
friends in Grand Rapids the past
week in recognition of this supposed
change and promotion. | am CRATE
full for their interest. But as matter
of truth this call from Commerce and
Labor was to continue in practically
the same nature of service | am per-
forming in the government printing
office, and at salary of s6 o less per
year with prospects. That, looking
az the grand old elephantof prosperity
through reduced 81 sses The ap-
pointment has been declinpd-
! This call came by virtue of civil SER
vice certitication. because of having
qualified through special examination
one year ago for an editorial clerkship