Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-08
Directors Of Bureau Of
Engraving Makes Changes
The New System viii Affect
About 1000 Employees.
Director, on Advice Of Maevsagh,
Sesks Greater Efficiency.

ecutiye departments Will De alIected more
NJ less by the administrators plans to
nut the departments on a strictly business
basis was shown when Director Ralph
OF the bureau Of engraving and printing
acting under directions of Secretary of
the Treasury MacVeagh, placed 1900 of
the employees of the bureau on the per
diem basis. This, of course, does not
affect the plate printers, who are piece
workers
This movement will mean that each
salaried employee of the bureau will give
a full days work for a full days pay, or
be "docked" accordingly. Heretofore
these employees have been on monthly
salary and any lost time was deducted
from their annual leave. Under the new
order day lost will mean a days pay
lest. The annual leave and the 30 days
sick leave, however, will not be affected
by the change.
Most of the employees have taken kind
ly to the change; in fact, a majority of
them say that it will work for the best
interests of the employees The pressmen,
however, express in no mild terms objec-
tons against what they term Cheap fac
tory methods" 1t is said they are OPP
posed to the per diem plan of employ
mcnt on the ground that it will affect
their status Many of them say that it
will result in their losing much time; that
they will not be able to get in a full
month.
Director Ralph said the change would
I'm no wise affect the status of employees,
but will aid materially in keeping the
time. and that the employees will be paid
for all overtime, which cannot be done
under the monthly salary system.
The bureau, several years ago, was on
per diem basis, and greater amount
of work was accomplished, according to
an official of the Treasury. He said that
there were fewer absenteeS. He also
said that in some of the other depart
ments of the government service per
diem basis proved satisfactory in every
seEse. and referred to the government
printing office as an example.
The officials say that the per diem
basis will be of more benefit to the en-
ployes than the present system, from the
fact that when overtime is made it will
be. paid for. while under the salary sys-
TEN this is unlawful.
The activity on the part of the Presi-
eliminating inefficient employees from the
service. never has had a precedent in this
country and that many clerks are des-
tined for dismissal or reduction is said to
be the order of the day by persons close
to the administration.
Secretary Nagel and Assistant Secre-
tary McHarg. of the Department of Com
merce and Labor. will hold conference
during the week, to take action on the
cases of employees designated by their
chiefs for dismissal or reduction.
In disposing of the cases reported, Mr.
Nagel will not treat the aged clerks with
as much severity as he will the young
men. many of whom, it is said. waste
the governments time in studying for
professions.
The movement to make the depart
merits more business like will not be con-
fired to the District of Columbia, but
will extend throughout the country.
Chiefs of bureaus and divisions have
been instructed to report to the men,
bers of the cabinet in charge, all clerks
who are not doing full days work for
full days pay. According to an off,
cial. approximately per cent of the en-
pIOyes in the government service will be
dismissed; in one or two departments, the
percentage may reach double that num-
her.
In the department of commerce and
labor. there will be two classes of clerks
affected. the aged and the delinquent
young, those spending the greater part of
then time digesting law or medical text
book. instead of pursuing their work.
With the latter class. it is said, the off
Gals will use drastic measures.
An official stated that he was not OPP
posed to any or all of the employees going
to college. but that he was opposed to
their doing so at the expense of the gov
eminent. He said that there was plenty
of time outside of office hours in which a
man could prepare any lesson he might
wish to recite the next day.
In dealing with the clerks who have be-
come old in the government service, as
much leniency as possible will be shown,
III fact, whenever such action is possible
the greatest penalty visited upon them
will be demotion. Dsmissals will occur
only when incompetency is of the most
fragrant nature.