The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
WON'T RAISE CLERKS
Senator Warren Kills Sena-
tor BacOn'S Amen lment.
RAISES A POINT OF ORDER
Nixon Tries TO Get senate Clerks
Raised, hut Secures OnIy n Prom
ise-GaliinEer Critieises Botanic
Garden Fence-SenatOr Knox Pre-
cipitates states Right Debate.

| The clerks in the lower grades OF the |
classified service in the executive depart |
ments will not get their pay raised just
yet despite the fight which Senator Ba-
con, Of Georgia, put up for them in the
Senate
Senator Bacon offered his promised
amendment yesterday. during consldera-
tion of the legislative, executive. and Judi
cial appropriation bill. II provided that
the compensation OF ali clerks and other
employees in the classified service of the
departments. including the Congressional
Library and the Government Printing
Office, which do not now exceed 81 500 a
year. should be increased % per cent. not,
however, TO include any which had been
raised since December /. 1893.
Senator Bacons amendment had hardly
been read before Senator Warren. In
charge Of the bill. was on his feet raising
a point Of order against IT, Mr. Bacon
said that he was aware that it was open
TO point OF order. but he asked that
the point be withheld until he had en-
deavored TO bring the Senate to his view
Of the question. He then launched into
a discussion Of the pay Of the clerks. and
4 eNANIAeA+ "a bSA Tue dtttDldItt OF MS
amendment declaring that although the
proposed benehciaries OF the measure had
no one 10 speak for them not one of them
had approached him and asked him TO
/ take up their cause. the EFFORT he was
making being one Of his own vOlltion
prompted by desire 10 see fair play
Warren Looks to Future.
Senator Warren. in reply. said that he
thought this matter should be taken up
by itself and considered with due regard
for the cost and the estimates OF the de-
partments. He expressed the belief that
it would be taken up in the future. but
made no definite statement that it would.
| Mr.. Warren pressed his point OF order.
and fl was sustained by the Chair under
the rule that no amendment making an
additional appropriation can be added 10
the bill except by the committee or with
/ its consent.
During the discussion or the amend
ment Senator Galllnger offered an
amendment 10 H. proposing that such
! clerks elsewhere than in Washington also
I be included in the proposed raise He
/ could see no reason why an argument
In favor OF the Washington clerks would
not apply with equal force 20 others else
/ where. This. Of course. was lost with the
original amendment
Would Take Down Fence.
Senator Gallinger also offered an
amendment 10 the bill proposing TO ap-
propriate : Oo0 FOR the purpose OF re-
moving the fence around the Botanic
Gardens. He characterized the fence as
unsightly. and declared that il the gar
dens were 10 be maintained they should
be open 10 the public. and not marred by
the fence. He also was IN favor OF maxi
Ing the gardens themselves more worthy
OF being described as beautiful This
/ amendment also went out on a point Of
I order
/ Senator Nixon OF Montana, made an
! effort 10 have the salaries or clerks OF
the hess important Senate committees. 70
| which comparatively new Senators are
I assigned as chairmeu. raised to the
I amount enjoyed by the clerks OF more
I important committees. over which the
veteran Senator's preside Mr.. Nixon and
/ Mr.. Warren had quite a debate over
! this question. and Senators piles. Of
/ Washington. and Warner. OF Missouri
backed up the Senator from Montana.
| They contended that the amount OF work
done by the clerk. and not the length
or service OF the Senator in charge of
| the committee should determine the sal.
aries.
Promises These Clerks More.
| Mr.. Warren. while dissenting from this
view. promised that when the new SEN
ate Office building is completed. and the
next appropriation biu OF this character
comes up. this question viii be given
consideration. He intimated that the sal
aries Of all Senate committee clerks would
\ be raised eventually. and placed himself
on record as in favor Of giving mileage
TO the committee clerks Just as il is
l given 10 Senators. This he thought
would do more 10 tighten the burdens Of
the Western clerks. who had so far to
| travel 10 and from washington, than
raising their salaries. Mr.. Nixons amend
ment shared the fate OF the others.
On motion Of Senator Warren. the bill
! was amended to give the following in
| creases in salaries: Assistant chief of the
Senate document room. $1,000 70 S2.OO0: AS
sistant Attorney General for the Post
Office Department s.. 800 to $500: Solicitor,
! Department Of Commerce and Labor. 81
500 to 5000; assistant chief. division OF
customs. Treasury Department 50 600 70
2.5o0; stenographer 20 the chief OF the
Bureau Of Manufactures, Department OF
/ Commerce and Labor, 81. eco
state Rights Discussed.
Differences OF opinion were vigorously
expressed on an amendment TO the Fro
vision for the protection Of the lives of
miners in the Territories. Senator Knox
submitted an amendment TO make the
provision apply to all the States. as well
as to the Territories and districts.
/ Senator Teller entered an emphatic pro-
test He said the principle was wrong.
1t was an unwarranted interference with
the State industries In case this amend
ment were adopted here. he would con-
/ tinue to oppose its enactment into law.
/ The State of Colorado, he knew. needed /
no guidance I'm the conduct OF its mines /
I The State needed no suggestions for |
mining legislation. Colorado had all kinds I
OF mines. and nowhere in the world were |
/ there fewer accidents.
Mr. Knox answered that he would offer |
no amendments that interefered with |
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