The Washington herald., 1910-01-09

Statesmen, men of business, edu
Gators, clergymen, and workers II
all sorts OF social and economic re
forms come forward with frank anC
hearty Endorsement of The Wash.
ington Herald's agitation for a re.
vision OF the salary scale governing
the compensation of employees in the
classified governmental service.
With one accord thoughtful OBJ
servers recognize the needs of this
vast army-the employees in the
classified service-who constitute,
on the one hand, the nations most
trusted and indispensable servants
and, on the other, a body represent
ing all that is best in American cit
izenship. That this important fac
tor in the nations life Is entitled
10 more adequate compensation to
meet changed conditions of living
is the unanimous opinion of the
numerous and diverging interests
whose opinions were sought.
To epitomize the present situa-
ton: The cost of living is esti-
mated to have advanced so per cent
in the last five years. Employees
in the classified governmental serv-
ice are paid by system which has
been IN vogue since 1858.
TELLS UPON HIS LIFE.
Not only does this condition tell upon the
Life OF the individual employe. but its
deleterious effect is coming 70 be noted
in the character of the services given.
Secretary John T. Doyle. Of the Civil
Service Commission, recognizes the fact
that a reclassiication OF all government
employees. and a readjustmeRt Of salaries
would enormously increase the efficiency
OF the public service. Likewise does Mr..
Doyle recognize that adequate provision
should be made for the retirement OF en-
ployes who have given long an meritor-
ious service.
II is only to recognize common every
day business principles to make salaries
sufficiently high TO attract competent
persons; to base promotion on merit. and
thereby stimulate the best efforts Of the
best men, who may be induced to enter
the service.
In its report recommending the average
salary be Increased SO 1-3 per cent, the
Chamber Of Commerce summed up in
nutshell the situation confronting gov
ernment clerks It contains the statement
that the prices Of 25S leading commodities
for the last ten years have risen 80 per
cent And It is pointed out that this
increase in values has enriched manu-
facturers, farmers, and most wage earn
ers. while the government employees,
barring Senators and Representatives.
have had no advance. The average
salary OF a government clerk remains
at only SLIGO
So the argument IS altogether IN favor
of the classified employe from the point
OF view of physical necessities. food.
shelter. and raiment II to obtain these
has become a sharp problem, what of
those things which pertain TO the larger.
freer life?
First OF all come the claims Of efu-
cation. The mighty corps OF govern
ment employees represent a constituency
OF more than average education, and
numbers in its ranks skilled scientists
and exeperts in many lines, of high in
tellectual attainment. 1t is but natural
that all such would have lofty educa-
SionaI aspirations for their sons and
daughters.
supt. stuart's Position.
srhese considerations are ably set forth
by supt. A. T. Stuart or the public schools
or the District who has abundant op-
portunity to observe the results OF the
Of government employees. |
Supt. Stuart does not hesitate to de-
clare that schooling for the children OF !
employees IS necessarily cut |
far short OF what would be possible un- |
der a Just system OF wages. On this ac- |
count he goes on record as in favor of |
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