davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Asks Speedy Action.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
Let me personally thank you for the
splendid service you are doing. In ad-
dition 1 would offer a few other points
Of view on the much discussed questions
Of retirement and the proposed increase
in salaries of civil service employees
Amidst the conflict of opinion and the
able presentation Of views Numerically
opposed-each well bolstered with argu-
ments and figures-one fact stands out
clearly and indisputably. 1t is that Of a
climax Of dissatisfaction, long pent up,
with things as they are. There Is an
urgent demand for an improvement in
the .pecuniary condition of the civil
service employe.
The arguments concerning retirement
and pension leave one on the ragged
edge of uncertainty, except as to the
conclusion that something should
speedily be done. Each vehement advo-
cate is positive that he offers the pam
acea. The plea of The Times that too
much should not at the present moment
be demanded, lest nothing be granted,
seems reasonable. What should first be
demanded is the burning question. I
have heard some thoughtful people ar
que that we should pool our issues;
simply present all available facts to
Congress and leave the working out of
a good plan to it. The unanimity of the
employees for a retirement plan and ir-
crease of salaries would thus be better
impressed on Congress. The speedy ap
plication of retirement plan, say they,
would cause MANY vacancies and conse-
quent promotions; also, that the matter
of increase Of salary would also receive
early consideration
There can be no question as to the
need of increased salaries, and that
speedily. We learn that some fifty
seven years ago the range of salaries
was 81 1900 to $500, with probable
average OF $1,4OO Il have not. the exact
figures as to the average). Instead of
increases in this scale to meet the enor-
mously increased cost of living We find
the minimum salaries repeatedly low
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Wants Backward Raise.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
/ am in favor of a straight pension to
all, to be the same amount, regardless
Of their previous salary. At the same
time I should like to call your attention
TO a matter which has not been touched
on in the various letters written to your
paper, namely, the practice that obtains
in all the Government departments OF
requiring a person to serve in a posi-
ton at less salary than the law speci-
fles they shall be paid. For example, /
was appointed as laborer. afterwards
promoted and put under civil service as
a messenger, and for nearly fourteen
wears have been doing messenger work
at salary of s. month less than the
law says 1 should be paid. In that time
you can easily see L have lost quite a
sun by this method OF injustice under
the veil Of so-called economy. In my
case all would want is that the Gov
eminent nay me nv hack salary, which
justly earned and am rightfully enti-
tied to according to the law. It would
amount to several hundred dollars, anil
the pension could 90 by the board. Ny
case is only one OF hundreds of others
in all the departments.
Paw US our back SaIaries and what our
positions cali for by law. JUSTICE.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09

what will be the cost under the con-
tributive plan, which provides for pen
sions or annuities under the five heads
or ways of separation from the service
described in the article favoring the
contributive plan?
If 1t will take thirty or forty millions
for one OF those ways, will the sum re-
quired for four more not be larger, and
is not the vast amount required to be
taken from the salaries of the clerks?
Present pay is inadequate for present
needs, but possibly the solution is an
increase in rates of pay that would
cover the deduction required for the
annuities, and leave a small margin to
meet the increased cost of living. How
ever, the employees will have to take
whatever medicine Congress prescribes,
and look pleasant, if possible. 1t is at
least sure thing that the Gillett bill
does not carry an increase in rates
paid. although so many of its advo-
Gates advance the expected increase as
2 point in its favor. but to any one
familiar with projected Congressional
action, such argument would carry lit
tie weight. WAR DEPARTMENT..
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Turning of the Worm.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
Allow me to congratulate you on
your courage in espousing the cause
of the clerks. did not imagine there
was so brave a man in these United
States-and l thank you most heart
lily; but please watch the appropria-
tion bills this season with a cyclOpean
eye, as ! was highly incensed to dis
cover that while Uncle Sam had as
sumed the role of beggar and was
asking-or rather demanding-Christ-
mas gifts instead of bestowing any.
the House was making the incredible
effort to increase the salaries of the
personal clerks OF it's members from
ST. 500 to $2,000-then 800. and last
ly $3.50. And l do not believe many
department clerks realize what that
signifies. But, it is simply the facile
means of increasing the salaries of
members themselves, since they con-
troll it absolutely. and may pay it in
part, or not at all, as the principles
of high finance may dictate. When
these clerks were first allowed each
and every member and Senator, they
were to be paid $1,000 a year. And
all Congressional clerks have long
vacations. In two or three years the
salary was raised to $l,500-and now,
in this age of furious economy, some
one had the audacity to propose a
further increase to $1,000, which, had
1t passed. would have given over an
other $500 of the peoples" money
into the control of individual MEM
bers. amounting in the aggregate to
$3.50, 900 a year. And that, when the
departments have been driven to
frenzy by the injustice and oppres-
sion of this Government!
The short session of 1907. which
paid congressman for laboring and
entertaining the two and one-half
months of its duration nominally
$4,000; but practically $500, and may
be expressed as $4,000 a month or
$3.50 23 a day. besides mileage, free
stationery, free postage. free shaves
free baths, etc. They increased their
salary so per cent from the nominal
$4,000 to another nominal $500 but
for all practical purposes members of
Congress are paid today $4,000 a year
and l am speaking with authority.
as in the overenoyment of their
good fortune some have been known
to acknowledge (which sum. dis
tributed through the year is $2465 a
day. Just mediate thereon ye i'm
poverished clerks-for each and every
day OF his life, wherever he may be,
a Congressman of these United States
may claim one dollar an hour for his
services in compelling economy with
Government clerks. The first step be-
ing to refuse them a level increase
of 20 per cent for one year! And
each succeeding session they have
been denied everything. until this
year a Congressman's idea of justice
and fair dealing has eliminated in
the demand for another half hours
labor from its already overworked
servitors.
Truly, as friend remarked recently.
so far from being The Throne of
the World" this Government Is the
most gigantic fraud on the face Of
the earth"
But t. ,anks be, Mr. Editor-you
have helped the traditional worm to
turn.
NJ f 7, ~
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Bill Is Opposed.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
In the final consideration of the bill
now before Congress providing for the
compulsory assessment of the civil
employees in order to meet the finan-
cial obligations of the Government. T
believe an overwhelming majority of
the thinking men and women in the
service will be arrayed against that or
any similar measure.
Opposition to the bill in question IS
directed to the principle involved and
to specific features. 1t is felt that the
Government has a distinct duty and
responsibility in this matter, and that
the chief result to be achieved, namely,
increased efficiency of the service
through the equitable retirement of
superannuated and incapacitated en-
ployes, should be effected by the Gov
ernment's own resources and not by the
confiscation of the pay of employees wh0
are already flagrantly underpaid.
Certain provisions in the much dis
pernicious. Reference is made particu-
larly to the section which exappropri-
ates for six months, for the uses Of the
Government, 20 per cent of the salary
of new entrants in the service, and to
the section which confiscates for three
months all increased pay that comes as
a result of promotion. How can such
provisions be defended or justified, m
the face OF the generally recognised
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
For Is Per Cent Increase.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
Congress should pass the Cary joint
resolution increasing the pay Of every
one employed by the Government 25 per
cent, thereby doing just half as we'll by
every one, justly entitled. as they have
rightly done by themselves and others,
thereby following the example Of many
employers and creating a sentiment
that will finally readjust the general
scale Of wages nearer consistency with
the increased cost of living and the de-
creased purchasing power of gold.
A liberal contnbutory retirement bill
could be maintained by assessing those
in the service about per cent.
Such legislation would eliminate the
aged, MANNED, infirm, feeble, and dis
abled and leave only the young, vigor-
Gus, competent and efficient in the ser
vice. The employment of good service
at high price and the rejection of poor
service at any price is good, sound, logi-
cal, business-like economy.
TREASURY CLERK.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Courts Investigation.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
AS an old, but not superannuated.
Government clerk, who fought TO pre-
serve this city as the Capital of the
Nation, and who courts the investiga-
ton of the 10000 investigating commit
tee as to the character of work and SER
vices he is rendering for the meager
salary which, by the strictest economy,
pays only for board and clothing for
himself and family, of three, to thank
you for the effort in my behalf and in
behalf of those less literally compen-
sated than myself. ! can, If necessary,
live upon a crust of bread and a cup
of water, but God help the man, or
party. or Government that forces these
conditions upon me and those more de-
serving than myself.
May your subscription list increase,
your paper prosper, and the spirit Of
liberty. justice. and liberalIty, which
animates The Washington Times never
become "superannuatCd" or require a
pension" PROMETHUS.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Wants Pension.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
1t would be amusing, If it were not so
unfortunate to the $1,000 clerk, to wit
ness how our Uncle Sam is wriggling in
his seat at the cost of new seat to his
trousers, to avoid all pecunary respon-
sibility in caring for the old men and
old women who have given their whole
lives to his service. He jumps, in his
magnanimity, at the proposition to re-
tire each clerk at his own expense, and
swallows the bait is if he really thought
It a fine elimination of this question.
This is our Uncle who is willing to
thus beg the question; this is our Uncle
who claims to be the exponent of JUS
tice and fair dealing, and who has de-
nounced the corporations for their greed
and their grind of their employees. Now
let us see what this monstrous PROPOSE
ton will do for the $1,000 clerk. An
nual salary, $1,000, less 1h percent. $685..
So we have a $1,000 clerk nominally re-
ceiving $1,000, and carried and quoted on
the rolls at that figure, when in reality
he receives $685., and he is obliged to die
or leave the service before he can get
the differnCe.
Now this reduction, in effect, of salary
at this time, with prices bordering on
war times, is not what the clerk is ask
ing for. He is not asking to have his
salary reduced. 1t is already small
enough, and he needs every cent of it
for himself and family to actually live.
For Gods sake, let this man or woman
have the $1,000. If Uncle Sam wishes to
set aside for this clerk a certain sum
for a rainy day-for himself or his fam
fly, let him add III per cent to the $1,000
% be used by him or his family as is
proposed in the present scheme. Let
this ~ per cent be added to every
clerks salary from $1,000 to $1,000, or
from the lowest-paid messenger or en-
ploye under the Government. This heart
less grinding, etc, Steel Corporation last
year set aside over S2,OOO,OOO and this
year s., 100000 as bonuses for its en-
pIoyes. What did Uncle Sam do?
That grinding corporation has taken
care of its employees. who have been
broken down in its service. What has
our Uncle Sam done? The big men are
the only men who can look to our Uncle
with grateful respect. What the clerk
needs is more pay, not less pay, to meet
his daily requirements. Yours very
truly, INCOGNITO.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09

Why don't they pass a bill to get rid of
us old clerks, and give us a small sum.
l am seventy years old, and have
served faithfully for over twenty-one
years. My desk will be vacant ere long,
because they want young men. Now, l
would suggest that bill be passed CIV
ing all clerks who have served from
fifteen to twenty-five years 50 per cent
Of their salary for six months or one
year. # they would pay me so per
cent OF my salary for one year 1 could
buy place in some home and be cared
for. II turned out now I would be a
candidate for the almshouse. There are
hundreds of young men who would will
ingly take the places made vacant for
less salary than is now paid US, and in
this way the Government would not
lose a dollar, and we would be made
happy. I believe the original PROPOSE
tion should be advocated, namely, get
rid Of us old clerks-in a humane way,
give us this small amount. I believe
half loaf is better than no bread.
The matter of raising salaries should
not be advanced in connection with the
of old clerks. 1 surely do
think there should be raise in salaries.
but first do something to rid the de-
partments Of us old men, and on some
casn basis. feel sure that Congress
would pass a bill allowing us 80 per cent
OF our salaries for one year.
AN OLD CLERK.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Wall of a Biped.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
1 wish I were an animal,
A-bOarding at the Zoo;
great, ungainly polar bear.
Or graceful kangaroo;
For when prosperity abounds,
And prices upward soar,
To feed the beasts they promptly say,
Ten thousand dollars more"
But animals in human form
In Uncle Sans employ
Departmental clerks-are not in line
Such favors to enjoy.
Confined by rules instead of bars,
Red tape instead of chains,
They see that prices all advance
Except the price of brains.
For increase Of efficiency
The aged are retired;
But, since they've been 'Improvident,"
A pension is desired.
Who will provide the fund? Bright
thought!
The clerks the very one!
Deduct 1t from his salary;
How easily It's done!
A Congressman, or President,
A camel, or giraffe
They've increased their emoluments
BY 10 per cent, or half.
And here the clerks remembered, too,
BY those who are In power,
For while the gifts are going round
They give him-half an hour!
And thus it is the truth I state.
And pity it's, 'tis true;
I wish / were an animal,
Sojourning at the Zoo!
BIPED.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Now Two Propositions.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
All Government employees should feel
indebted to The Times for the interest
it has manifested in their behalf In re-
gard to the retirement of superannuated
Government employees.
have read with considerable interest
the many suggestions offered by the ad-
vocates of the various bills which have
been introduced in both houses Of Con-
gress for the improvement of the civil
service, by the retirement of super
animated employees. The subject has
narrowed down to two propositions.
namely: Shall the clerks provide for
their own retirement, or shall the Gov
ernment retire its employees who. by
reason of old age or disability incurred
while in the civil service, with an an
nuity sufficient to support them In the
declining years of their lives, to be paid
by the Government.
CIVIL WAR VETERAN.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Land Office for Fourth.

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
1t has just come to my attention.
from an employe in the General Land
Office, that with the possible exception
of a few employees in that office. the
great majority of the employees there
were not afforded an opportunity OF
expressing their views upon the ballots
provided by your paper, as no ballots
were left for general distribution in
that office.
I have positive knowledge of the fact
that more than 200 employees in that
office, and possibly 800, would have
been willing to have expressed as their
first choice the advocacy of the fourth
proposition on the ballot, which con-
templated an immediate increase Of sal
aries and a compulsory savings plan.
Therefore, If these employees could
have had an opportunity Of voting for
their preference, it would have had the
result of raising the number of those
advocating the fourth proposition in
the ballot, namely, an increase of sal
aries and a contributory plan of retire
ment LLEWELLYN JORDAN.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Hundreds Express Their Appreciation and
Gratitude for the Efforts of The Times
to Better Salary Conditions of
Government Employees.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
A great and impending danger over
hangs the Government service.
This danger has its origin in the
proneness of animals that are pampered
and too we'll fed to get unruly and kick
over the traces.
In order to fDrestall any such calami-
tous proceeding, and that the OVerpaid
and underworked civil servants of the
Government may be kept in proper sub
mission, there is now issued in one of
the departments at least, what has
been termed morning and evening edi-
tion of the orders. This is necessary for
the reason that the ever-watchful eye Of
the Secretary or that of his chief clerk
may at any hour of the day observe
tendency in those placed under his
beneficent control to feel that they are
human beings; and hence the evening
edition of the orders. Or perchance
after said civil employees, worn out by
ennui, have retired tc their LUXURIOUS
apartments and dropped TO sleep on
their downy beds, there may be brought
10 the ever alert authority information
showing danger, yea, imminent danger,
some employe the thought that he is
still an American citizen entitled to GER
tain inanenable rights. This should
neither be allowed to grow or expand as
the coming day advances, nor oppor-
tunfty be allowed for the thought to
contaminate others of his fellows; and
hence the morning edition of the orders
has become an imperative necessity.
edition nf January 2
in the year of grace 1911, appeared the
following:
You will further direct that leave
charged to the annual leave account for
a period longer than one-half day shall
be applied for at least five fun days be-
fore such period of leave is to begin to
run
Ta view of this order. and as occa-
sion warrants. petitions and excuses
cf the following tenor must frequent
ly be presented.
"Dcar Mr.. Chief Clerk:
"My mother has been sick for some
time and yesterday morning the doc
tor Informed us that she could hardly
last the day out She earnestly beg
ged me to stay with her to the end.
] consented, supposing that she would
soon pass away. 1t was late in the
day before she left us. I trust YOU
will excuse me for not rendering COM
plianCe with your order"
Another one may be as follows:
spear Mr. Chief Clerk:
MY little boy was taken with the
Group Yesterday morning and when
had succeeded in relieving him 1t was
too late to reach office. I hope you
will be so kind as to excuse infraction
OF your orders as the Child's mother
is in bed with the typhoid fever. and
though l told her about your order
she utterly refused to get up and
tend TO the child. Perhaps you may
be- married and know that women are
sometimes very unreasonable. It will
not happen again. however. as I have
distinctly warned the child that he
must give me five full days before
he has the Group again.
ONE OF THEM
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Thanks The Times.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
voice the sentiment of many clerks
in this department when l say that The
Times hit the nail on the head square
ly when 1t stated that either a straight
or a compulsory pension will kill any
action Of Congress in raising the clerks
salaries, which will be necessary before
the clerks can contribute, without hard
ship, toward a retirement. There are
a large number of clerks who will OBJ
ject to any retirement plan, either
straight or contributory, unless a corre-
spending increase in salary is made.
l am glad to see The Times fighting
for the betterment of the clerks, and a
continuation of the fight wilk meet with
the same success that was achieved In
the gas fight" Thanks to The Times
Very respectfully,
CIEPE
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Comments and Suggestions Regarding the
Poorest Paid Glass of Employees in the
Whole Country, and How the Sit
uation May Be Remedied.

are now doing most of the work that
he Is getting paid for, hence his snap.
Since our snap" invites those who
disagree with him to leave the Govern
ment service, it must be that he has
had a change of conscience and now
wants to do a little more of the work
that he has so far evaded.
Winter, you know, is the proper time
for revivals, weeks of prayer, and the
evangelists are then in perfect form
and training. Probably one Of them
handed out friend jolt on his solar
plexus that slightly awakened his giz-
zard to its proper functions.
We see the same thing every day when
some one sends in two-cent stamp to
the POstoffice Department in lieu Of
Cancelled one used many years ago. A
conscience is certainly a bad thing to
have around, especially when you are
suffering with a perennial crouch. Sin
cerely yours, ANOTHER.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Half Paw for Year.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
Many propositions are being advanced
relative to pensions, etc. Now, the great
question for the Government is how
to get rid of the superannuated clerks,
and this proposition has been almcst en-
tirely lost sight of. The Gilletr bill
seems to be- the one looked upon as
the most favorable, because it would
cost the Government nothing, but 1t
mYkes no provisions to retire the drift,
and it Is my opinion that Congress xill
not pass straight pension bill because
of the enormous expense. Now, where
does the original proposition come in7
The Washington times., 1911-01-09

paramount need that the Government
service be made more attractive for In
telligent and efficient employees.
would not willingly provide desk room
for a person with so little self-respect
as to accept employment under such
conditions.
The recent voting has shown how the
rank and file stand. If Congress Will
heed the matter of compensation and
render to a highly deserving class even
half the consideration It has accorded
to its own already well-paid members.
the question Of a retirement fund for
elderly employees may be dismissed
for the present.
A BUREAU OFFICER.
The Washington times., 1911-01-09
Praises The Times.

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
The writer desires to express her ap-
probation and thanks for the attitude
taken and consideration shown by The
Times on the subject of betterment of
the condition of departmental employees
Of the Government.
The question seems to have practically
narrowed to these alternatiyes-to
straight civil pensions provided by pub
lie funds, pensions provided by the en-
ployes, or the present system.
If a straight civil pension, as contem-
plated by the Goulden bill, will cost the
Government *SOOOO,OOO to $4O,OOOOOO a
year, and provides only for those who
have reached the period of retirement,