Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18
ALL FAVOR UNION
Government Clerks Expect to
Form an Organization.
ONLY MEANS OF DEFENSE
Matter Discussed by Employees of
the Departments.
ALL COMPLAIN OF INJUSTICE
When Increases in Salary Are Made
Those Higher Up" Get
the Benefits.
ONLY MEANS OF DEFENSE
ALL COMPLAIN OF INJUSTICE

ployes of the Treasury Department, who
are laying plans for the formation of a
union the better TO protect their inter-
and bureaus in Washington
last night discussed the plan to uniOnize
all the clerks of the federal government.
Those carried on the rolls OF the inter-
state commerce commission, of the GEN.
sus Office and of the Post Office Depart
ment particularly commented upon the
plan with favor.
Taken as a whole, those in the civil
service say, the body of government
clerks is as patriotic any otner number
Of men and women in the country. They
are willing to do their best work for the
without grumbling. But they
are human beings and object to being im-
posed upon.
Victims of Whims.
Clerks last night pointed out mat they
are frequently the victims of whims OF
various heads of divisions or of bureaus,
and that under the present conditions
they have no means for obtaining relief.
They believe that Il they were strongly
organized they would be able to prevent
imposition when it comes in that form.
Speaking of the proposition to organize
a union in the Treasury Department, one
of the employees of that branch of the
government said that it would be neces-
sary for the clerks to go quietly about
the business of the organization, SO as
not to bring themselves into disfavor
with the department.
All Must Participate.
1--WE must endeavor not to antagonist
the powers that be at the start of this
enterprise" said the clerk, land, above
all, we must get together A handful of
clerks will not suffice to form such an
organization as is desired, but If large
percentage of the clerks unite there is
no doubt that the movement can be made
a great success, and the benefits to the
BODY of government employees will be
manifold
government clerk has little political In
fuence. Not all Of them, after they take
their hpOsitions here, are able to go home
to vote at time Of elections, and many
The politicians, therefore, In many in
stances, forget about the government
clerks. But organized they could attain
political influence, it is believed, and al
lied with the American Federation OF
Labor, as it is proposed the union OF
government employees shall be. the new
organization will be more powerful than
ever at the polls.
The clerks will feel then that they are
able to go to members of Congress and
say, I'VE can do thus and SO In the
coming election, and it behooves you, who
wish our good offices, to see that desired
legislation is enacted"
No Tncrease for Clerks
The fact that salaries in every branch
of the government service-with the ex-
ception of the government clerks-have
been increased in recent years has caused
considerable bitterness among a number
Of Uncle Sans servants. They say the
salaries Of the members of Congress-, Of
ficers of the army and navy, of the cabi-
net officers and that of the President of
the United States have all been increased,
but nothing has been done for the men
and women who do the great work of the
civil government. With an organization
at their back the clerks believe this
may be righted and their wage scale
changed for the better.
The various steps recently taken by
the administration which lead the clerks
to believe that the government is to
economize at the expense OF the clerks
while other officials of the government
periodic increases, have caused many Of
the clerks to believe that 1t is time they
are looking out for their own interests,
and organization is regarded as the
means.
That there are various matters relat-
ing to the working conditions of the
clerks which should be improved was
stated last night. A single employe, pro-
testing against existing conditions, has
little weight, it was declared, and few
CT, fhof R,,f
the proposed clerks union would be able
to take up these matters with some hope
Of success.
View More Hopeful.
With the definite announcement by six
Of the heads of departments yesterday
that no change in the hours of the daily
labor of the clerks would be made and
,wo of the other three department heads
Inclined not to order an extra half hour,
.he government working force took a 4
more hopeful view of the situation last
night than they had since the announce
nent was made that the President and
his cabinet were considering a PROPOSE
ion to lengthen the hours of labor.
Secretary Meyer Of the Navy Depart
nent and Secretary Nagel of the Depart
nent Of Commerce and Labor, II was
said last night, are still undecided In re-
,ard to the matter, but officials high up
n these departments said they believed
here was little danger of either depart
nent chief issuing an order adding the
half hour.
Work Crowds Attorney General.
The Attorney General will continue to
keep his clerical force at work in the |
Department of Justice until o'clock |
The work of the department. it was
pointed out, had fallen behind because of |
the large number of cases which have
piled up in recent months, just as the |
dockets of the courts are frequently |
crowded and the courts get behind in |
their work. For this reason the Attor- |
ney General issued the order for the ) |
D. clock closing several months ago.
The decision by the cabinet ofilcers sets !
at rest for the time being the question |
Of opening the departments at $50 o'clock i
In the morning. The clerks, it is said, |
will be asked to stay at their desks later /
Than 80 o'clock in the departments, as |
they do now. whenever there is pressing !
work to be done.
Student Strikes in Russia.
ST pE,TERSRIYRG Docemhar ~ 4