The Washington herald., 1909-04-30
MRS. TAFT AIDS
UPLIFT MOVEMENT
TTaa Prominent Partin Civic
Federation Meetings.
TREAT GOES AFTER CONGRESS
Crificises Conditions I'm Treasury
Building - Declares Employees Of
Government Are Not Properly Con-
sidered, and Advocates Erection
of a FOurtees-story Building.

/ Exerting a poteLt influence in the civic
welfare movement, and signifying their
/ intention TO support the project that has
/ for its end tRe<bt-5s--uent Of men and
women who toll. Mrs. Taft and seventy
I I've men and women prominent in the af-
fairs Of the nation. yesterday gave an
/ impetus 70 the work insugurated by the
( National Civic Federation.
Developing new ideas and reporting the
progress that has attended their efforts.
/ the executive council and other commit
! tees held meetings at the residence OF
/ Mrs. Samuel Spencer. and closed the
/ semi-annual meeting Of the womans de-
/ psrtment Of the organization az a banquet
! given by the mems executive council at
/ the New Willard last night
Aside from The address of Attorney
I General Wickersham n the afternoon,
I the impromptu exchange OF suggestions
( az the banquet was Jhe most notable
/ event Of the days exercises Men and
( women representing every walk Of life
/ especially dilated upon the Industrial and
/ governmental phases Of occupation.
Climax of Busy Day.
Coming as the climax Of a busy day
I FOR the leaders OF the movement. the
! dinner was auspicious. even though Mrs.
I Taft entertained the women al a 1ea az
Z the White House 81 3 O'Clock. at which
welfare work was Informally discussed.
! So enthusiastic we're the speakers last
levening that Charles H. Treat. Treasurer
/ of the United States, typifying the spirit
that iniamed the breast Of each one
{ present. criticised the Congress for its
apparent disregard Of the comfort Of
/ hundreds OF employees who work in his
! department.
Equally as ardent vas Senator " B
4 Hepburn. OF Idaho. who. in his address.
/ paid special attention 10 the remarks OF
/ Treasurer Treat. and consumed most OF
+ his time in refUting the so-called charges
The fault does not lie with Congress
I that these Uns2nitary conditions and IN
: comfortable surroundings exist IN the
/ government buildings, said the states
man.
I He added a few more remarks regard
/ Ing the object Of the organization. say
I ing It's real purpose is get to De discov-
cred. and that Congress was ready 10
remedy all existing evils
/ 4 couch Of vexsu0n was notable in
( Treasurer Treats voice as he replied
/ that Congress. and especially the Senate
| suggestion that a visit be made to the
unhealthy rooms IN the Treasury Build
/ Committee on Appropriations, spurned his
/ Ing. where hundreds Of women we're
! forced 10 work
Urges Bettering of Conditions
I'VE ask recognition for these girls
who toll il our department. and expect
treatment similar to that now being ac-
corded by private employ The cca-
ditions that exist in the basement OF the
Treasury are q discredit TO the govern
ment With foul air, the absence OF light,
the smothering heat. and the presence CT
/ disagreeable odors. how could We expect
accuracy in such environment. Yet there
is 10 institution in the world where such
/ accuracy is found. especially in hnan-
cial matters
Il feel a sympathy for these women.
who give the best years Of their lives 70
| the government in such miserable sur
/ roun6ings. ] should Ike 20 see q -four
/ teen-stoTy building erected in that lot
I owned BY the government Just south OF
( the BelascO Theater- \ tunnel could con-
! meet Il with the TressuTy- 1 am glad
your federation has taken I'D this work
and hope your visits VIII impress upon
/ Congress the necessity OF more sanitary
arrangements and the need Of retiring
I fund for tke men and women who grow
/ old in the service"
! The success Of the movement, which is
! barely year old. was described by other
/ speakers. and the glowing tributes paid
/ the women who hare aided in making the
/ Civic Federation known and respected by
I those who viii reap the benefits was IL
/ harmony with the bTillia1cy Of the affair.
( Those Who Delivered Addresses.
Mrs. J. Borden Hartman. OF New York;
Mrs. Horace Brock. president OF the
voman's department of the federation:
Hrs. John Hays Hammond, Mrs Cyrus
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