The Washington times., 1910-12-22
EMPLOYEES MUST DECIDE
FIRST WHAT THEY WANT
Statement Made BY Member of House In Discussing
Case of Government Clerks vs.. Employer, As
Presented Through Columns of Times.

/ VINO should be allowed an Increase
Representative Jones OF Nirgin MA
who viii be the oldest Democratic
mem Der in point Of service next ses-
sion. said: a coutributory system
OF retirement is possibly the best so
! luton of the question Undoubtedly
something should be done. but the
trouble is that there are thousands
OF applicants today for the positions
even at the present salaries ] be
GeVe II IS wasted ammunition. now
ever. TO agitate the matter at this
time as Il cannot be reached during
this short session.
To Study Questions.
Senator Overman Of North Carolina
said. I have just been put on the Ap-
propriations Committee of the Senate.
and naturally I viii take the question
OF better pay for the clerks in the Gov
ernment service and make a complete
study of 1t.
AT this time I cannot foresee what
action may be taken. This is a big
question. and must be carefully weigh
/ ed IF there is justice in the clerks
claim for more money. Congress can be
depended upon TO recognize it."
! Representative Sims Of Tennessee
when seen said 7 do not know just
what might he done Tor the relief Of
the clerks. but 7 do know that d COM
plete read diustment might be made OF
the salary basis for the employees OF the
departments
There may be uuderpaId clerks in the
departments working alongside oveTpaid
clerks An inquiry into this state OF
affairs could be made to advantage. and
a new basis Of salaries made effective
Representative Wangcr Of Pennsyl-
vania, said The whole question OF the
clerks retirement and s. AIRY basis
should be taken Up by con.ress at one
time, and some policy fixed which would
do justice to this sclass Of Government
employees
- should oppose taking up either
question by itself. They are closely re
lated If We are TO give tie clerks a
pension system it cannot but have n
direct bearing upon their salaries The
whole matter should be giyeI. consider
alton at the same time"
Must Decide on Plan.
Representative Currier, Of New
Hampshire. said. There IS UttIe prob
ability OF Congressional action until the
employees themselves can sgrsse upon
some plan
Representative Robinson. Of Arkansas.
] expressed the opinion that It viii be im-
possible for the House to reach the
matter Of legislation Tor the employees
al this session Consequently ne
added. Il have not given much thought
10 the question, although cOncede that
there are some positions s,ayinS less
{
Representative Stevens, Of Texas, Of
fercd the following suggestion
Government employees should be On
gagged for a period or ten 10 twenty
. years and paid decent salaries while
rheir services are worth IL Their the
Government emplOye would realize that
his status was similar TO that Of any
other emplOve. IN business house Tor
instance. and he would arrange Tor his
future accordingly. il commensurate
salaries were provided during such a
tenure OF Office, the GmpiOye would not
I be dependent upon a pension after his
usefulness becomes impaired
Representative Fuller. OF Illinois. said:
The problem Is a serious one. and ?
have. not worked out any plan IN my
own mind for its solution. However
7 arDrehend that the present agitation
OF the subject viii be futile 50 far as
the accorupIishment Of immediate re-
suits fs concerned. because We cannot
reach the mater this session There =
no way that Congress can force the
clerks 20 contribute 70 their own pen
sion"