Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-17
Cause of Government Clerks
Taken Up by Business Men

Cause of Government Clerks
Taken Up by Business Men
Several thousand government clerks.
many OF them aged men and women. who
have devoted the greater part of their
lives to service in one of the big depart
ments of the government, in mass meet
ing assembled last evening at old Ma
sonic Temple
In the audience were many civil war
veterans. who, when the Marine Band
played Marching Through Georgia. for
got all about raise In salary or civil
retirement plan and joined in the chorus.
From the platform. crowded with prom
inent business men and officials of the
government, enthusiastic advocates of a
retirement plan and an increase in salary
spoke to an equally crowded assembly
hall and an equally enthusiastic audi
ence.
Every telling point made by the speak
ers. and there were many, was received
with vigorous applause. The enthusiasm
remained at high pitch until the meet
ing adjourned.
1t was a mass meeting called by the
business men in Washington in aid Of
the plans Of the government clerks. 1t
proceeded in business manner.
L. P. Shoemaker in Chair.
After preliminary concert by the Ma
rine Band, while the hall was filling to its
capacity, Joseph w. Buck, who acted as
temporary chairman, introduced Louis P.
Shoemaker, who acted as chairman of
the meeting.
I'VE stand by and are prepared to sup
port the interests of the government
al AR
ring to the business men of Washington.
Il pledge you my own earnest and ardent
support.
Some people call our plan for retiring
the older clerks 'paternalism.' but 1 say
it is doing only what about every other
civilized country in the world, every large
corporation, has done. You propose moth
ing radical.
The business men of Washington. men
of ability and of intensity Of purpose, are
going to aid you. BY your large attend
ance here this evening you indicate also
the support you are going to give them.
I'VE have an organization now, and all
the officers. What we need is a large
membership. Send your names to w. V.
Cox and join the organization
Political Pressure Urged.
B. H. Warner. the first speaker, was
loudly applauded as he arose to speak.
Il look now upon bald heads and gray
heads said Mr.. Warner. 1 know that l
see before me faithful, efficient servants
of the government, who are entitled to
adequate compensation from the govern
ment L can speak to you freely, because
l am not in the government service.
How many Of you have ever seen the
chiefs of your bureaus or departments en-
ter the rooms where you work? They do
not get acquainted with you and the work
you do. They come and go, and are
strangers to you.
''The salary of the President has been
multiplied because of the high cost of
living. see the horse and the carriage
giving way to the automobile. Congress
itself has multiplied its own salary so
per cent.
1T was my purpose to break into Con-
gress, two years ago. to represent, in ad-
dltfon to the constituents who sent me
there, my co-workers here in the depart
ments, those with whom I worked years
See your congressman. Get your
friends to see him. 1t is the man behind
the ballot that counts.
las simple act of justice the salary
or every government clerk ought to be
raised from % to so per cent. Among no
other class is greater economy and self
sacrifice practiced than among the gov
eminent clerks.
''The salaries of the governments en-
ployes should keep pace with the develop
work. Maintain an organization and
look to the districts Of the lawmakers"
Mr. Shoemaker. before introducing the
next speaker. Endorsed the idea of the
clerks working through political influence
in their own districts.
There isn't man here tonight who
hasn't political influence somewhere.
Use it,
j. j. Edison Promises to Aid.
A letter, of regret at his inability to be
present was read from John Joy Edison,
who said he considered the present stu
alton of the government clerks one OF
great emergency. and that it was to the
best interests of the government as well
as an act Of justice to look after the
retirement plan as a neglected feature of
the civil service.
Il intend to do all in my power to
help his letter assured the clerks.
Il am with You heart and soul,' said
Charles ]. Bell, the next speaker. mo
one, even for a moment, questions the
right of the government clerk to a pen
sion. 1 assure you that l will help in
every possible way I can
Address by J. W. Yerkes.
John w. Yerkes, former commissioner
of internal revenue. made an address
which brought forth much applause.
THE object of this meeting he said,
lis to hiring the laws Of the United States
in regard ITO the compensation Of govern
ment employees in harmony with the laws
Of other civilized countries of the world"
He spoke of the plan to bring ballot
pressure to bear, but said that the
cause of the government clerk would
succeed because of its intrinsic justice,
and suggested as the most efficient meth
cd of winning the campaign the individu-
al personal work of the clerk.
There was one amusing incident in his
address. In it's most serious moment Mr..
Yerkes, whose throat was getting dry
with talking. reached for a glass Of water
as he said, referring to something else: