The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-28
ECONOMY WAVE
5000 CLERKS
They Will Be Booked If They Reach
Treasury Department Late
Other Capital News.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Secretary
MacVeagh. Of the Treasury Depart
ment, disciple of government econ
omy, has new scheme for saving
money for Uncle Sam, which is now
being put into effect, and which, IN
cidentally, is causing loud-voiced
wall 70 emanate from a majority OF
the 5000 clerks in his department.
The plan is TO make it impossible
for clerks to he late, without having
the fact duly chronicled by watch
man. and having corresponding
amount OF time taken OFF the clerk
annual leave of absence. Secretary
MacVeagh expects 10 accomplish ms
ends by requiring all employees TO en-
ter the building by single set or
doors now being made.
In the past. there have been clerks.
who when they were late, entered the
building by some door other than that
they were accustomed TO use. In case
tie Waterman attempted to halt them
ti.ey would wave him graciously aside
with the cheerful information that
they were visitors In the city, on
sightseeing trip
The new plan. however well 1t may
work out, is extremely distasteful 10
the clerks. Those who would scorn 10
fitch a few minutes from their gov
eminent, resent the implied criticism
OF their honesty of purpose. Those
who have used many entrances to
their advantage, are peeved because
they see good thing taken from
them.
And then there is another objection
able feature TO the plan, according 10
the viewpoints OF the clerks. 1t Will
soon be necessary for many OF them
to walk block farther than has here
tofore been necessary In order TO get
into the building, and from the same
entrance back again In order 10 get TO
their desks.
Six Disasters Coming?
Six big disasters will occur in the
United States In 1911. This is not the
prediction of an astrologer, but the
American Red Cross society.
Experience has taught the Red
Cross to expect an average Of five or
six big disasters In this country each
year. II does not undertake to say
when or where they will occur, or
whether they will be caused by storm.
fire, flood, earthquake or explosion,
but IL Is sure they will come.
Experience proves not only that an
average of five or six disasters, severe
enough to call aid from the Red Cross
may be expected every year in the
United States, but the demands from
foreign countries are predicted to be
much more numerous.
Some idea OF the character and
variety OF the disasters with which
the Red Cross deals is given in the
review OF those which demanded at
tention during the last II months.
They include in the United States:
One hurricane. one mine fire, two mine
explosions and forest fires In Idaho,
Montana. Oregon. Washington and
Minnesota Foreign calamities aid
from the Red Cross included: Floods
I'm Mexico. France, Servia and Japan;
the Armenian massacres the earth
quake in Costa Rica and the relief of
the starving soldiers OF Nicaragua.
In the disasters which occurred in
the United States 500 lives were lost.
while, approximately 1900 persons
were given immediate attention. About
5000 persons lost their homes by fire
or hurricane. The Red Cross expend
ed s196, 900 for relief operations in the
United States and in foreign coun-
tries 500, 500 was spent. making a
total OF s262,500. Other relief funds
expended in this country in commune
ton with those OF the Red Cross
amounted to s21S.O00, making the
grand total of relief of expenditures
for the year under Red Cross leader.
ship $3.50. 900.
Dutch Fight Oil Trust.
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