Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-08
Higher Salaries Campaign
Is Given Formal Launching

The meeting Of the full committee OF
twenty-one, held last evening at the New
Willard. not only gave new impetus to
the movement. but marked the beginning
of the real work of the bureau. with the
formal selection Of former Senator Dick
as director.
The speech Of acceptance by the ex-sen-
ator contained an eloquent plea for the
improvement of living conditions Of the
thousands of persons employed by the
government. at meager salaries. Mr..
Dick incidentally answered in detail the
criticism heard in certain quarters and
cited arguments to show that the cam
paign is to be public movement as
broad as the government itself.
Work Without Compensation.
He not only accepted the post as man
aging director of the bureau of promotion.
but volunteered his services without any
hope of compensation or reward.
Another feature which made the ses-
sion notable was the announcement OF
subscriptions amounting to $50. thus
bringing the totA donations pledged to
the cause up to $14.35O. The new sub
scribers were the South Pinehurst Com
pany, 500: Thompson's drug store, $3.50;
A. GUIDE & Brother. 500; Julius Car
finkle, 500. and Mrs. Catherine LOeff1er,
500.
Early in the meeting P. 8. Chase,
chairman. announced that unforeseen
circumstances prevented f. G.. Graham
and Corcoran Thorn from serving on the
committee of twenty-one. He proposed
the names of d. j. kaufman and Albert
p Madeira as nominees to fill the va
cAncies. The committee promptly rati-
| fed this suggestion.
Declaration of Principles.
Then the declaration of principles,
framed by William Knowles Cooper. sec
rotary Of the Y. NJ. G. A, was read. On
motion of Wilton j. Lambert the paper
was referred to the executive committee.
F. l. Siddons. Thomas Nelson Page and
John W. Yerkes discussed the proposed
declaration and suggested various changes
in its composition. The committee was in
structed to meet this morning with Thorn
as Nelson Page, F. L. Siddons and Theo-
dore w. Noyes as an advisory committee
and revise the document.
=. j. Ryan, representing the labor In
terestS of Washington, arose at this point
and suggested that the committee in its
new declaration make 1t clear that the
movement Is organized not only to aid
clerks. but to aid all persons in the classi-
fed civil service Of the government.
letter from the Retail Merchants
Association was read to the committee
| by Mr.. Chase. conveying the Endorsement
Preceding Mr.. Dicks address, various
members of the committee pledged them
selves to canvass the business houses OF
| Washington. and the prediction was made
lected within the next seventy-two hours
Handle Funds Carefully.
| The former senator from Ohio was tter
introduced. and In opening his address he
| emphasized the fact that the funds col
| lected will be handled by the bureau OF
| promotion to educate the national legis-
| lators. He also made it clear that the
funds will be handled judiciously, wisely
and honestly. He said, in part:
| 1T had been my hope to vote fol-
legislation providing increased salaries
for government employees. but poitica
| conditions over which l had no control
prevented this. However. these political
| conditions Will not prevent me from work
| ing for the cause now, and whatever
| service / can render is yours for the ask
ing. 1 could not be emf loyed to assist
| this cause. but whatever / can do will be
| done without pay or compensation. In
| my years in Congress, both In the Senate
and in the House. I have voted to in
crease the salaries Of the executive. mem
| bers OF the cabinet. justices Of the SUI
preme Court of the United States, sena-
tors and members of Congress and of Off
| GERS OF the army and navy. Now I de-
| not tDlnk congress will discriminate
| against the men and women in the classi-
| fed civil service who have not had an
increase In pay for more than fifty years
| Hopes for Favorable Action.
These government and District EN-.
ployes who are unable to speak and &C,
for themselves In their effort to obtain
improved conditions deserve the heart,
cooperation of all citizens. When We
marshal our facts and arguments AND
present the matter to Congress in :
concrete form / am sure no specicus cry
| OF economy will defeat the proposet
legislation which We will foster. AS 3
matter of fact, economy will result AZ
better pay for the clerks. l am hopefu
1 that We can present this matter to Con
gress without controversy.
| This committee can demonstrate Il
] Congress any TO the people Of the M