Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-01
P. B. Chase Urges Nation
Wide Crusade for Clerks.
SEEKS 100000 FOR FIGHT
Launches Movement Today by Con.
tributing 81 900 Toward Fund.
IN HANDS OF BIG COMMITTEE
Suggests That 100 Men Be Selected
From All Over Country to
Manage Campaign.

new movement to obtain increased
compensation for government employees
was launched i'm Washington today.
Convinced that the campaign OF cduca-
ton has reached that stage when the
sentiment i'm the National Capital is Al
most universally I'm favor of improving
the condition of clerks in the federal and
District departments, =. Il. Chase has
subscribed $1,000 to start fund of S1"".-
600 to finance the nation-w crusade.
The next step I'm the movement sug-
gested by Mr. Chase is to interest the
people OF the country at large. and for
this purpose he urges the formation OF 4
committee OF one hundred" forty-siN
members of which the governors OF the
states will be requested to appoint,
thirty-four members to be appointed by
mayors Of the largest cities and twenty
to be selected by the Chamber OF Com
merce and Board Of Trade of this city
1t Is understood the Washington mem
bers OF the committee will readily begin
the crusade and manage the preliminary
steps In the movement. Upon this COM
mlttee or 100 shall rest the responsibility
or undertaking measures to obtain the
required legislation by Congress touch
aries to conform to increased needs on
account OF advanced cost of living, pen
sions. retirement and other matters.
No Employees to Contribute.
In making the announcement Of his do
nation this morning Mr.. Chase said the
fund Of $4,000 should be quickly sub
scribed to defray the expenses of such
campaign, but he was emphatic in stat
ing that no employee for whom this legis
lation Is sought should be asked to con
tribute penny"
There may be some objection ra's ed by
persons in other cities To the amount of
money proposed for the fund, said Mr..
Chase. WELL maybe SlO0.oo viii not b.
required If there is an unexpended bal
ance after the committee shall lave COM
pleted its work, it shall he paid into the
George Washington memorial bui ding
fund. 1 hope the committee will have an
unexpended balance of ss0.OO or more
after our mission is accomplished.
THE 25O.0W underpaid employees of the
government and of the District OF Column
bia have not had their salaries increased
in twenty years, while the cost of living
has doubled I'm that time. Much has
been said and written, to help the clerks.
Time and time again efforts have been
made to remedy condit ons without avail.
1 trust these new suggestions may result
in the formation of an organization that
will reap benefits for government clerks
in all parts Of the United States.
Business Men Should Help.
THE business men OF this city owe 1t
to the army of clerks to take a leading
part in this fight, which ought to be push
ed to a satisfactory conclusion without
delay. Spasmodic attempts have been
made by individual members OF Congress
I'm the past, but public sentiment which
has crystallized now should resolve IT.
self into some tangible instrument to OBJ
tain relief for the oppressed persons hold-
ing government positions.
w hen we say We urge the move
ment to obtain the required legislation
We mean that Congress in enacting the
proposed law should not only readjust
but provide suitable pensions
for those public servants who have
reached the age when their retirement
is imperative"