Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21
OUTLINE OF PLANS
Methods for Betterment of
Government Employees.
WORK OF THE COMMITTEE
Program Of Former Senator Dick
and His Associates-Appeal to
the Country.

Former Senator Dick Of Ohio. in dis
| cussmg the work and plans OF the COM
nttee Of one hundred. which is endeavor-
| ing to bring about legislation looking to
the Reconsideration of government en-
ployes and just compensation for their
labors. yesterday went into details and
| gave some Of his personal views upon the
| subject.
THE aims and purposes OF the organi-
cation" said Mr.. Dick. ARE adequately
set forth In the statement published by
| the twenty-one citizens OF Washington
| who inaugurated the present movement.
! The main object is to secure legislation
for increased compensation and a wise re-
tirement system for the civil service en-
ployes Of the national government, and
OF the District Of Columbia. It is also
| quite as important to secure readjUst
nent OF salaries to correct the inequalities
of work and pay which in some instances
new exist. in the case Of clerks drawing
| low salaries who work by the side Of and
! do the same work as clerks paid much
| higher salaries.
Dates Back to 1854.
mo new classification of salaries paid
4
made since the year 1854, when Congress
established the present grades of salaries
j at 81 go, S1,4OO. $1,000 and $1,SOO per
year. While probably no considerable
number of clerks who have remained In
! the government service any length of
/ time have failed TO receive promotion,
| the salaries paid the different grades of
| clerks have not changed in the past
| fifty-seven years. In the meantime, sal
| aries have been increased for the Pres
| ident. for members of the cabinet. for
| federal judges, for senators and repre-
| sentatives, for the army and the navy
| and for practically all persons in the
| service of the United States except those
! in the classified service.
| Salaries and wages paid persons in
| private employment said Senator Dick,
/ have steadily and substantially increas-
/ ed. These increases have been made in
| large part 10 meet the greatly increased
/ cost of living, and to enable all employees
and laborers TO have the opportunity for
/ higher and better living.
/ why should not the government clerk
/ be given the same consideration When
| Congress few years since increased Its
own pay the action was justified on the
ground that the cost of all the necessi-
i ties of life had increased. 1t was claimed,
and with reason, that senators and repre-
| sentatives should be paid a salary sufh-
cient to enable them and their families
| to live in Washington in manner be-
fitting the dignity of their office. The
government clerk likewise has q status
| to maintain. and should be paid salary
commensurate with his position and large
! enough to enable him to raise family
| and support ii comfortably and decently.
! With the increase in the cost of living
] there has been an increase in the stand
| ards of living, and the government clerk
| should not be entirely cut off from these
| advantages.
System of Retirement Demanded.
The question of just and adequate
| system for retiring government clerks
vino have grown old and feeble In the
service he declared. rs one Of pressing
and increasing Importance. The civil
| service idea-i.e.. the policy OF admitting
| employees to the service by some form or
| merit test and of retaining them In the
service as long as efficient and faithful
| has become a fixed pan in our govern
ment. Some system of retirement with
| civil pensions is an inevitable conse-
| quence. Tie country may not be ready
| for it now, but 1t is bound to come soon
er or later, either through governmental
action alone or by voluntary contributions
| paid by the employees themselves, with
or without the assistance Of the govern
| ment .-
| The precedent set by certain large
| railroad and industrial corporations OF
| pensoning their employees after long and
| efficient service VIII make 1t more diff
hcult for Congress to refuse its assent to
| some form of retirement with civil
| pension. There seems to be no other
| way to make provision for aged clerks.
| They cripple the service as long as they
! remain, and humanity forbids that they
! be turned out to starve. The problem Is
| a serious one, however considered, and
| deserves and 1 believe will receive, the
| considerate action of Congress-
There are other questions connected
| with the civil service. such as just ana
| automatic system Of promotion within
the service. Many grievances of various
! kinds have been brought to the attention
Of the committee but it is evident the
committee cannot consider all these mat
| tiers without seriously Gripping Its efforts
and chances of success in the matter OF
securing reimbursement of salaries and
some system of retirement.
| Methods Outlined.
with respect to the plan Of cam
| paning it is not the intention to bonn
bard Congress with petitions or TO be-
IF for