davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Many Are Not Content With
Simply Casting Their
Ballots.
NUMBER RECEIVED
PRIOR TO VOTING
Communications Indicate Wide
spread and Sincere Response TO
Opportunity Offered

That The Times poll to ascertain the
sentiment Of Government clerks con-
corning the proposed extension Of their
working hours met with an tnmedi-
ate and sincere response is indicated
by The large number OF letters received
at The Times Office since the pubIica-
tfon In Sundays Issue Of the plan TO
take a vote on the question
Many Of the letters were received
prior to the polling, which was con-
Quoted yesterday afternOon-and they
are still coming in Not content with
merely expressing their views by a
cdoss mark on the ballots, scores OF
clerks have written u The Times ex-
Flaming tehir positions in detail, and
advancing the reasons therefor
The following letters. as typical Of
those which have been received set
ting forth the views OF the clerks, are
reproduced in fun;
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
VOTING OF CLERKS IS MARKED
BY MANY AMUSING INCIDENTS

Old and young alike they came bring
Ing their ballots TO the polls
The veteran soIdIer-cIeTk, faItering
along. holding his ballot in the only
hand that the var left him; the elderly
woman. pale from long hours over
desk; the middle aged woman who IS
just learning the price that the Gov
eminent exacts from its servants; and
among the voters
Among the many came a tiUid
little woman, on whom the years Of
work had set their mark. She did not
hustle up to the ballot box like the
younger women clerks. but stood back
until the space was cleared Then she
tiInidly placed her ballot in the box
I reckon that's the only vote III ever
cast" she said.
oh. 80 out Vest a big, masculine
looking woman from behind her cried
That's where I vote
But the tiTnid little woman just passed
on, content TO have said that she op-
posed Lhi-<y minutes more work on the
day
one man stopped at the DO. kong
enough 70 lnScr1be rude skull and
bones opposite the proposition Of his
cnOlce, and many wrote full comments
on the proposed lengthening OF hours
mere was Just one man out OF all
the many who couldn't see any Of the
and he wrote across his ballot, L am
opposed TO al propositions
For Retirement Plan.
Another stopped at the box long
enough TO declare to his fellow-cIerks
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Grateful for Efforts
On Behalf of Clerks

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
I thank you sincerely for the interest
your paper manifests in the general
welfare Of the employees Of the Gov
eminent. One feels a little better IN
der your defense, and the general an
athy and loss Of ambition. energy. and
manhood that overcame Us clerks in
the departments after the loss Of right
Of petition seems to give way 10 the
small hope that we have not been de-
graded as yet to eternal silence in the
face Of constant humiliation and de-
prfvattOn a few years hence
Please continue to assist Us and re-
store TO US clerks again the SeIf-psteen
Of which we have been robbed through
pernicious politics and the baseless out
cry for economy.
I thank YOU again I remain.
Very respectfully yours.
H RETIEFF
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Defines Efficiency"
And "USuTpatiOn"

To the Editor OF The Washington Times
During the past ten years in the pub
Tic service. every letter in the word
''Effciencyr' has been worn and torn
TO a '-frazIe'' by thousands Of people
who never knew that efficiency re-
lates almost exclusively 10 brain power
or mental capacities and energies.
Proficiency" is the term intended to
apply 10 physical energies and results
guided and directed by .efhcleucy-
The engineer represents efficiency
the engine Is proficient when Il per
forms the physical duties required
represent proficiency both WoTkInS IN
unison represent efficiency.
The physical labor incident TO cleri-
cal work is either proficient or unpro-
fCient, not efficient
He who takes from, CT adds to, the
expressed terms Of statue law. Tor any
purposes whatever, T3rinits an act
OF usurpatiOn-
I-surDation IS a crime.
Congress has specifically heretofore
prescribed the hours O. labor for the
public civil service 10 De seven hours.
and has prescribed the rate Of compen-
satiOn therefor Executive doSnatlC
Gesrotism Is very dangerous
The discretion allowed OF eNer-
cised in the executive % o special stat
ute must come from Iue expressed
terms OF the law lLSElAs c-A r4-Sl- EtAe--
Is. local and specific as % time, degree,
and manner. and whenever the ener-
gency for its exercise ceases dis
cretiOn" also ceases
Psychological research mas demon
Etrated beyond the possibility Of q sue
cessf1l refutatiOn- that tCe productive
powers Of the humsu brain are limited
10 about four hours OF continuous Ia
Dor
Mental capacities should not be meas
r7red by physical endurance
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Opposes IndiSCrim1inate
Extension of the Hours

To the Editor Of The Washington Times
oppose an fndfscriminate extension
OF the working day to all employees
In certain divisions employees are for
hidden to accept outside work because,
II is claimed, it affects their efficiency.
The hours for the Government en-
ploye should be arranged 50 as to be
similar TO that class of employment
outside. Any employees whose hours
are. By the contemplated action. in
creased beyond the hours OF people
employed IN a similar capacity by pri-
vate concerns should have their saIa-
RES prOPCrtioRately increased
ANON
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Discusses the Plight
Of the Average Clerk

To the Editor Of The Washington Tines
I am certainly pleased with your
novel method Of submitting the 3
O'Clock question to the Government
clerk. Everyone Is pleased Your
hearty cooperation is highly appre-
ciated-
Good for you We are having a hard
time OF Il and they have the drop
on Us. The average clerk IS leading a
hopeless life awaiting and anticiDa ting
-DeUJeT tines but things certainly
look dark just at present
Some clerks say the new Democratic
House viii help matters, etc. ''Stiil
hoping.
I thank you Inclosed please find my
vote A CLERK
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

eminent employees WHO could possibly
favor any extension OF time s1der any
conditions, one man was -henrd 10 say
The first Is those ignorant Of the
work exacted from and performed by
ire employees IN the civil service. sec
ond. dishonest people, and third, plain
fools
Women Interested
Z was very noticeable that the women
clerks took a far greater interest IN
the balIoting on the o'clock closing
question afforded by The Times than the
male clerks
sponsible Tor several votes, which she
secured by hunting up her friends and
acquaintance and insisting that they
vote upon the question
II was also quite apparent that the
older clerks took a far greater interest
In the contest then the younger, as II
was very seldom that an AGED person
passed the ballot box without voting.
while many or the young clerks passed
hurriediy CT their way
4 rather humorous incident occurred
at the ballot box place. on Fifteenth
street. at the north exit OF the Treasury
building Two aged. negroes. a man
and wife, came out OF the building. The
man advanced 10 the ballot box and
proceeded TO cast the first and only
vote accorded him since, coming to
Man. inquired the wife. what you
all dom. ,"
Hugh. I'm votin','' was the response.
Il m vouin' on this here . o'clock clos
ing question
Look here. man You come right
away from thereI D0n't you 80 dom
nothing with Uncle Sam He's a bad
man 70 fool with You come right
along home"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Thinks Shorter Hours
And More Pay Needed

To the Editor Of The Washington Times.
I am greatly in favor Of coming to
work at $50 and going home about $50.
also think the halliday Saturday
would be the right thing TO agitate
Since you have taken up the matter
why nOt DO il right OF course. q small
increase in salary would be gratefully
received, as always heretofore. Trust
ing YOU wiz drop TIT present ballot
and get one out in the form Of this, we
are all str friends Of the greatest pa
per on earth.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Wants Half Saturday
Without the Extension

To the Editor OF The washington Times
Is there a law Of long standing in
Washington. D. G. making Saturday
a half holiday in any CaSe2 Did not
the law exist, and has II ever been re-
pealed by Congress- Mr. Editor, YOU
are the best one TO see 10 this and
fight Il through for the clerks and all.
Il has been said that the time would
uEy-thIS seems 10 be an ODpOTtuUe time.
1 oppose the extension in any case.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Extension of Hours
And Salary Reduction

To the Editor o. The Washington Times:
favor a reduction Of 80 per cent in
the salary Of every clerk in the Gov
eminent service. the money thus saved
TO be used for corresponding increase
in the sa7 aries of the President. the
members Of his Cabinet, and OF the
Senator's and Representatives IT. Con-
ETess and such Government officials as
are related 10 any Of the above-named
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Six Sink WITH Launch.

SEATTLE. Wash Dec 1.-THE
drowning of six men IN Snohomish river
Is reported today They were men,
bers Of a party Of seventeen who were
caught in the cabin OF a launch when
she turned turtle. The others escaped
by breaking windows and crawling on
the floating hull
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Interesting Incidents About
Ballot Boxes

Clerks enthusiastic voters.
Keep up flow Of pleasantly as they
deposit ballots
Necessity FOR straw vote regarded
by them as indication OF serious
situation.
Out OF the thousands, but one man
declares Government clerks have
snap.
Another IS against every PROPOSE
ton, and so casts his vote.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

that he favored q retirement plan Of
the same character as that now IN
vogue in the army and navy.
Among She very few who voted for
the extension Of hours was one man.
fairly young, well dressed, and who. in
quiry developed, IS one Of the minor
officials OF the department in front of
which he voted He stopped long
enough 10 write on his ballot, Gov
eminent clerks have a snap. and this
extension is no hardship
There are but three classes Of Gov
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

az the adding machines. Negroes, Irish.
Scandinavians. IN fact any Of those
races, except the American. are fitted
for that work, as they were raised to
do manual labor. We should be al
lowed 70 JOIN Iaborers' union, and de-
mand their wages. II the chiefs and
assistant chiefs want 10 know what
work IS. let them try the machines for
a month Their work has not been
increased i IS the clerks who have
10 suffer and 20 add another half hour
70 those already tired out clerks IS in
human.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

printers and other standard trades,
and I can see no ground for complaint
IL a whole hour is added to the Govern
ment Office day, making i eight hours.
At the same time, I do not favor this
change. because the present way is
more agreeable
But We ought to have the higher sal
aries, without any regard to whether
the day is heightened or not.
NJ p
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Clerks Work Better
In Early Part of Day

To the Editor OF The Washington Tines
It IS a well-establiShed fact that more
and better work can be performed in
the early part Of the day, when a mans
power Is at its best, than in the after
neon. when Z Is on the wane-
II is suggested that If the hours Of the
Government employees are to be in
creased That the hours be made from
s a. m 70 p m. or from $50 a. m 10
$50 D m The added half hour in the
morning woEld amount more TO the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
FaVors No Change
But Raise of Salaries

To the Editor OF The Washington Times
I oppose the extension Of the Gov
eminent working day, or leaving It as
il Is, either, without added compensa-
JiOl- because IL is an injustice not 10
raise salaries when all expenses have
risen But I cannot see why Govern
meEt clerks should work any shorter
hours than clerks In private business,
or mechanics, or navy yard employees.
or anyone else.
Eight hours is the working day FOR
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

Of labor generally and the general in
crease Of wa ges.
The Government clerk is about the
only person who has not shared In
the increased productive power OF the
nation While the common lsborer- the
mechanic and tae professional and
business men work less hours now than
formerly, and receive more comDensa-
ton, the Government clerk works lon
ger and receives less COMPENSATION
Who can give good reason for this
condition? 6 c.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14
Refers to Galley Slaves"
In Auditors "Sweafshop"

To the Editor OF The Washington Tines.
If anyone thinks a Government posi-
ton soft snap. let him take a look
into the sweat shop OF the Sixth Audi
tors Office, and see the galley slaves
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

within the tenth degree Of consanguinity
or political affinity, and extending the
working hours Of the clerks enough 10
allow them nc time to brood over their
fanCied wrongs SATISFIED (?)-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-14

Government than an hour added to the
afternoon
7, for one. for ten years have found
II advantageous both 10 the Government
and myself to commence work at s a. IN
ARTHT-R
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28

to the State Convention are Instruct
ed to use their best efforts towards
securing plank in the State platform
demanding such legislation.
We demand strict economy in the
administration OF our State and Coun.
ty governments and condemn the
present tendency towards extrava.
gance in public matters.
We believe that United States sena-
tors should be elected by direct vote
OF the people.
We believe in extending the pri-
mary election law to all state officers.
thereby doing away with the :shargain
counter desks'' so frequently used
under the convention system. All Of
which is respectfully submitted.
G.. A. Tullar,
Dr.. J. Biedermann.
T. FL. Mack,
Frank O.. Heulin,
Julius j. Olson,
committee on resolutions
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28
LAND DEAL CASE ..
FROM ROSEAu COUNTY.

An interesting case form Roseau
county was tried before Judge Grinde-
land yesterday. It was the case OF
Joseph Eta vs.. Bohmer,. as owner of
the Farmers and Merchants Bank OF
Badger and F., w. Swanson and wife.
It appears that man and his wife
had settled on a homestead in said
county Later the husband abandon
ed his wife, who continued to- reside
on the homestead, and in due time
made final proof. She then sold the
land to Eta thru the medium of the
bank, but as she was a married wo-
man she could not at that time give
proper deed until divorced from her
husband. After securing divorce the
bank took the deed running to it In
stead Of to Eta, giving Mr.. Eta a,
special warranty deed from the bank
instead Of warranty deed, which he
was entitled to and thought he had
obtained. Later On the United States
government cancels the homestead
entry and refuses to give patent. Mr.
Eta, who had purchased the land
and paid for it, was therefore CON-
PEELED to file on it himself as a home
stead. He. therefore sued the bank
to recover his purchase money and
other expenses and losses sustained
by reason Of the banks failure to
give the proper deed. The case has
been before the supreme court on
law points, Judge Grindeland being
sustained by that tribunal and the
case remanded for trial. No decision
has yet been made.
Brown & Eckstrom, of this city,
and W.. /. Hegland, of Roseau, are
the attorneys for the plaintiff and
Stuart & Brewer, Of St. Cloud are
the attorneys for the defendants.
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28
CASE AGAINST THE GREAT
NORTHERN RAILWAY

4 case against the Great Northern
railway company will be heard in
Justice court in this city tomorrow
County Attorney Brown has caused
the arrest of the Railway company
for failure to comply with the law OF
12o9 which ssprovidas for Installing
spark arresters on locomotives and
patrol OF railway tracks in The TIM
ber country. Judge MeClenahen. Of
Brainard, has held the law une onsti-
tutional as far as patrolling the track
is concerned on the ground that it is
too severe burden on the railroads.,
No test has yet been made as to the
validity or as to the constitutionality
Of that part OF the law referring to
spark arresters and the company is
fighting the case of the constitutions
ality of that provision. Many fires
have been started by the engines of
the company On the Thief River Falls
and Greenbush line and many farm
ers have suffered severe losses On that
account. All efforts of the farmers
to make the company exercise more
care have been in vain and at last
County Attorney Brown was appeal
ed to and is now trying to make the
company observe the law which was
passed as a precautionary measure
against fires.
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28
DEMOCRATS HOLO
COUNTY CONVENTION
LARGE AND HARMONIOUS GATH
ERING OF THE FATTHFuE At
ARGYLE, JULY 23.

The Democrats in Marshall County
met. in convention at Argyle last
SATURDAY There were 47 delegates
present and practica 1y every town.
ship west of Thief River was repre-
is ented. .I ~,
P. A. McClernan, of Stephen, served
az chairman and Alhin Young, OF War
rem as secre etary. A committee On
resolutions was appointed eonsiting
IoT G., A. Tullar, DR.. J.. Biedermann,. T.
II. Mack, Frank O.. Heu1in and Julius
IL. Olson. The following delegates to,
the State convention were chosen: P.
A. McClernan, Nils MaIm, L. Reopel-
le, Chas. E. Westberg, B.. Grumpy,
w. Il. Dixon, c. A. Tullar, L. P. Brand
strom and R. D. V. Carr. The conven-
t1on adopted a motion to recommend
candidates for Legislative and Coun-
ty oif1ces to be voted for at the COM
ing election. c. A. Tullar, of Warren,
was recommended for State Senator
and Frank O. Heulin, OF Stephen, for
Representative. Peter Olson, of
Town Of Alma, was recommended for
County Treasurer; John A. Serum, OF
East Valley, for Sheriff: L. NJ. Mithun
for County Supt. Of schools; A.. c..
,SWanhy for Clerk OF Court; Julius ].
Olson for County Attorney, In spite
of his declination; DR.. j. Biedermann,
OF Argyle, was recommended for Cor
ener;; James &. Mack, OF Wanger, for
County Surveyor. AS no other candi-
dates were in sight for the county Of
ices these were passed up for the
time being.
The committee on resolutions re-.
ported as follows, the report being
adopted unanim ousIy:
/ we, the Democratic delegates OF
| Marshall County, in convention as
semhled, at the Village of Argyle, Min
nesota, this 23rd day of July, 1910,
/ hessssaatsT aErrr our allegiance to- the
! Democratic party Of the State and
Nation and invite all persons to- Join
us IN the promotion and advancement
| OF civic reform and good government.
| We regret and deplore the untime-
ly death of our late beloved Governor
and Leader, John A. Johnson. In his
| departure our party lost one of it's
greatest leaders, this state one IT
| most distinguished sons and the Ma
tlon one of its most promising lead
ers for good government and reform.
Ills short Life was one Of inspiration
to all and his untin1ely death in the
midst of most successful effort to-
wards political independence, ma
tionaI calamity.
| AS a worthy successor, one who by
his service to the State and Nation
has demonstrated his ability and fit
ness to carry out the Democratic prin-
cipIes Of our late Governor, John A.
Johnson, We unhesitating1y urge the
nomination of former Governor, John
Lind.
| We believe the temperance senti-
n1ent has crystalized into demand
for County Option law and we
| pledge the Democratic parity to- the
enactment of such legislation.
/ We demand just and equitable re-
| apportionment of the legislative, dis
trictss of our State and our delegates
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28

Ole VoIding, who has been learning
the art OF photography at VI. J.. Ber-
gets, the last few months, left Mon-
day morning for his home in Watson,
Sask., Canada. MIR volding expects
to enter into business for himself at
that place in the near future.
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28

to be. feared The departure from
said principle by extending postal
distribution to commodities we be-
leVe to be unwise and revolutionary.
I we commend the congress and the
department in having increased fhs
pay OF the clerks and rural carriers
and believe the same has improved
the service IN very marked degree.
/ We believe, however, that the rural
length should have an increase in
carriers on routes over IS miles IN
pay equal to the. average rate per
mile On a Is mile route.
We believe in many cases that the
fourth class postmaster is not sufft-
| GENTLY paid for the work he is re-
quired to perform and recommend
the adoption OF some of increase OF
compensation.
We recommend that congress au-
thor1ze the postmaster general to ex-
reriment with limited parcel post
service On rural routes as per his re-
quest in his report.
We extend our hearty thanks and
appreciation for courtesies shown
this association by Allan McKiunon.
mayor Of Crookston, for his address
OF welcome; the members Of the CON-
mercial club for their hospitality In
extending to US the use OF their spa
cious quarters for a meeting place,
music and automobile ride.
We thank Congressman Steenerson
for the many favors and efficient
work in behalf of the postmasters
and the postal service in general.
We thank the parties who read the
papers at this convention and espe-
cially do we recommend the papers
read by Emma Marshall postmaster
at Red Lake FIals and MIR Gendron,
OF Gentilly, and recommend that they
be published.
We thank Inspector HaugdahI for
his presence and wholesome advice.
FC t1dIlh w .. DdlLl1OlOu1SW IOI
his untiring efforts in bringing about
this gathering, and Postmaster Steen-
erson, of Crookston, for his able ask
sistance.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIAS, HJERTOS,
Chairman,
| E.. STEVENSON,
| ... MRS. e. T. MARSHALL,
z~~-. Commit ee.
/ The officers for the ensuing year
are as follows:
| President, T l.. Jones. Warroad:
secretary, Mrs. E. F. Mar hall, Red
Lake Falls; treasurer, j. P Mattson,
Warren; vice-presidents, E. Erickson,
Fleming, Norman county; S. B. Olson,
Mahnomen. c. Widenhoefer, Fisher,
E.. P LeMasurier, EIa lock, Kittson
county, A. 4. Dahl, Wilton, Clearwater
county
! The League was invited to hold the
NEXT annual L, eet.ng at Warroad.
Warren sheaf., 1910-07-28
SUMMER SCHOOL is GROWING
The enrolment has now reached 116
and more are coming.

The enrolment in the Teachers
Summer School now in session in
this city has reached l16, the highest
of any summer school ever
held IN the county. The following
students have enrolled since last reg
port in this; paper:
Ellen NJ. Johnson, Argyle.
H1Ida +. Lundin, Stephen.
Ans Ella MarUsGa. Angus.
Esther Nyblawd, Warren
Signe Roley, Warren.
Jessie Waller, ROLLS.
Alice NJ. Williams, Stephen.
Bertha Hagen, Drayton, N. D.
Minnie E. Skoog,, Warren.
Josie Sturdefaut, Lancaster
Clara E. Dagoberg, Alvarado.
OrvilIe Gustafson, Herb.
Marie. SyIvander, Alvarado
Olive Stewart. Argyle.
Gea4 Asleson, Fosston.
Louise Bergdahl, Fostoon.
Helen Carpenter, Stephen.
Ellen A. Forsberg, Newfolden.
David Johnson, Warren.
Sophie Torgeson, Stephen. a
Mabel r. Waller, ROLLS.
Anna Lundin, Stephen ~.
Margaret J. Rankin, Middle River.
Ruth A. Rankin, Middle River.
Edith 8. Dagoberg. Alvarado
Christian Larmoe, Middle River.
Gina Marie Storien, Hal1ock.
Bertha Forsherg, Viking.
Dorothy Green1ey, Newfoaden.
Lottie Greenley, Newfoldsn.
Lottie Reehe, Stephen
Agnes NJ Cormiet, Argyle
Ruby ]. Dewar, Crookston.
Selma G. Johnson, Argyle.
Helen Rankin, Middle River.
Eme Sands, Avarafo. !,
Ruby NJ Anderson, ArUla.
Elsie n. Johnson, Argyle.
Alma Saugen, Nswfoldsn.
Anna Amunson. Warren.
Jocahfne Grmstad, Newfold1n.