The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-04

Of the assistants, and the government
one-f1fth. which would mean an approx
innate increase paid by the printer to
the assistant of 20 cents, and the Gov
ornment Il cents. So it would seem there
is some money available. which could be
utilized TO pay this increased compensa-
tfon, and would, perhaps. appease the
rapidly developing public opinion that
BODIES no good for present bureau meth
DDS.
Mr.. Ralph has said he favors an in
crease for his employees but that there is
no fund out of which the increase could
be made. as the appropriation for the
bureau has been made up to and including
June. 1912. Continuing. he said this mat
ter had been taken up with him two years
ago, but he was unable to do anything
for them. Since he has seen fit to criti-
else in the public press those interested
IN the labor movement. we would be glad
to have the newspapers of Washington
ask Mr.. Ralph why. If this matter was
brought to his attention two years ago,
and why, if he really favors an increase
for his employees, did he not include in his
subsequent annual estimates a provision
that would enable him 10 follow his in
clinations and grant the increases he
favored
The attitude of the director docs not
harmonic with the present movement of
the newspapers and public-spirited citi-
Zens to increase the salary OF govern
ment employees. Neither does it comport
with his diligence in having his own sal
airy increased on two different occasions
The Central Labor Union as an organ
ization nor any of its delegates as in
dividuals, are concerned about the direc-
nrf Ill - III
they disposed to follow his advice as to
who should bear the burden OF any in
crease paid the girls. On the contrary,
and without equivocation, we say the
salaries of the women employed in the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing should
be increased, and the idea of the director
that such increase should be made by the
plate printers appears to US as an effort
on his part to destroy the efficiency and
spirit of the organizations. both of the
plate printers and their assistants. This
they cannot do.
Bound Closer Together.
I'VE apprehend that these two great
forces operating for higher standards of
living among any people will be bound
closer together by the tactics of those
that now seek to disrupt them, and with
united effort will completely uproot and
finally annihilate any attempt to disor-
ganize the workers, and with them every
authority that seeks to sustain or SUD-
port them.
I'VE declare our full sympathy with
employees of department stores and other
industries where conditions and wages
are not commensurate with the services
rendered, but We are not unmindful that
wages in the bureau are not set by COM
parison with those maintained in de-
partment stores, nor has il been the
custom to lessen the wages of govern
ment employees because their fathers
might, be in the same service, or, per
haps, sacrificed his life in defense of his
country, forcing his children into the
work shops that they might provide for
the wants of an old and widowed moth
er."
The Central Labor Union announced
its intention Of pushing the matter to a
conclusion. The members announced that
unless the desired salary increases are
granted to the women employees of the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, they
will bring the matter to the attention
Of Congress.
Director Ralph's Reply.
Director Ralph last night refused to
discuss the question of why he did not
include in his yearly estimates a pro-
vison for increased salaries for the
women employees. as suggested by the
above communication.
Il shall be very glad to receive any
committee of the Central Labor Union,
he said, "and give them any informa-
ton on this subject they may desire.
I will receive them courteously and an
swer their. questions. If they want any
In regard to the charge that he re-
turned $4,000 balance from the yearly
for the running expenses
Of the bureau to the Treasury Depart
ment at the end of the last fiscal year.
the director explained the money to run
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing |
Is appropriated in four different divi- |
sions. and that he could not apply the |
balance from any one Of these divisions |
to the salaries of the women employees. |