The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-04

From all sides comes approval of the
campaign instituted by The Washington
Herald to obtain for employees in the
classified government service such re-
vision in salary scale as meritorious work
and the changed economic condition
brought about by advance in the price Of
necessities demands
The problem of the government empIoye
whose salary is determined by A basis
OF remuneration in force since 1859 or for
tfty-seven years. is an interesting one 10
the student OF economies and sociology.
And from whatever point OF view the
question is approached. the argument is
in favor Of more money for those in the
classified service.
President c. W. Needham, Of George
Washington University, addressing the
North Washington Citizens Association
last evening, gave utterance TO sentiments
which were indorsed by supt A. 4.
Stuart, Of the public schools Of the Dis
trict, and by all Of those present at the
gathering.
DIR. Needham'S Views.
In expressing his views. DR.. Needham
said there was no other place in the
country more In need Of indus trial educa-
ton along the lines OF agriculture and the
mechanic arts. than IN Washington.
There are in this city great numbers
Of government Clerks and employees who
exist on salaries ranging from about SgC0
TO $500. They are so absolutely tied down
by expenses that their children, in thou
sands Of cases. are deprived Of the educa-
ton that must fl them for future life
When they 90 out in the world. they
will have TO face the trained graduates Of
State and private universities At all
times they VIII be handicapped by a lack
OF higher education to fl them FOR big
positions. because their parents could not
afford TO send them 10 college,"
Owing 10 the numerous appealss from
students families and citizens OF Wash
ington. George Washington University,
the speaker declared has founded
branches in agriculture and mechanical
arts. where education along these lines
may be had for the masses Of the people.
who cannot afford 10 spend money for a
college degree.
A. T Stuart. superintendent or schools,
made a plea for greater and better school
facilities
He said: Washington Is IN need Of a
capstone to secondary education that will
reach the families OF thousands OF our
government clerks. Il IS our duty as citi-
zens TO push the work 10 obtain better
and broader branches for our public
school system"
J. N. Glover, treasurer Of the associa-
ton, proposed that a vote Of thanks be
extended the speakers. It was unani-
mously carried.
Take, for instance, an average distrIbu-
ton Of a salary OF s1,400 a year in a
family OF average size. which is five per-
sons Make the following allowances:
House rent. $500: food. 500: fuel $50;
clothing, 500. This leaves a balance Of
$50 from which to provide the means OF
education for the children, II you do not
make any allowance for other special ex-
penses. such as doctors bills and the
many other exigencies that are bound 20
occur and may be recognized as neces-
stiles Just as much as food, shelter. and
ralment.
Capt. VIII II. s. Banks, OF 726 Fifth
street northwest. voices the calm 1udg-
ment Of hundreds Of disinterested readers
when he says.
7 am not a clerk myself nor detailed
IN any way as a government empIoye,
but heartily indorse the stand The
Washington Herald has taken TO advocate
the claims OF those who have bent over
their desks for many long years as pub
lie servants. many Of them with salaries
insufficient 10 give them anything Ike a
decent living in our Capital City, at the
present prices Of the things we must
have in order TO live and be comfortable.
The most Of them being old. not a
dollar in the bank, and worse than all
knowing nothing about wage-earning out
side Of office work, I think II would be
the climax Of ingratitude on the part Of
the government 10 turn the aged or in
firm clerk out Of Office on the plea that
he is no longer physically able TO perform
the duties Of his Office. until Congress
has made ample provision for the future
support Of the superannuated clerk With
more than a,o00.O00000 in the vaults of
the Treasury. there should be no balk in
just expenditures just because there is at
this time a deficiency in revenues"