The Washington herald., 1911-01-16
HOLDS GILLETT BILL UNJUST.
Writer Contends Government Clerks
Are Underpaid.

Editor The Washington Herald
Much has been printed. of Il general
character. in the newspapers of Washing
ton. favorable to giving aid TO Tn" people
in the classified service of the government
who are now receiving the same compen-
sation per month and per annum for
which provision was made by Congress
in 1S:rS-:G While the salaries paid to all
other persons in the puulic service have
been. meantime. doubled and trebled. the
compensation of the classified force in
the departments has remained stationary,
despite the very considerable increase IN
he cost of living here.
1t is this important fact that has brought
TO public attention the now vital need for
an increase of the salaries paid in the
departmental service.
For some time there has been more or
less discussion of the notorious ''Gillctt
bill. now pending in the HouSe of Rep
reSentatives. which requires ''compul-
sorry contribution per month from the
salary of each person in the classified
service, for the purpose of creating a So
called retirement fund.- to be deposited
in banks and ultimately repaid to the re-
tfring clerks in a sort of compulsory
saving scheme. This bill is regarded
with great disfavor among the clerks
who know as all other persons should
know, that their salaries are now made
quate and could not bear the monthly
deductions which the Gillett bill con-
templates. II is presumed. therefore
that such a measure of injustice and op-
preston will not be enacted.
The clerks want not a theoretical, but
a practical measure of reIief-something
thai will really help. where help is chiefly
needed 1t is not believed that any pro-
vision Will be made by Congress for
civil pension. No such pension, however
desirable. wifi be granted. The only rea-
sonably well-grounded hope of relief lies
in the possibility of an increase in the
monthly salaries now paid in the active
classified service; and even that increase
will be moderate in its proportions. Let
this good work begin at once.
Let it begin at the vital starting point
of need. That starting point should be
in the departments here. 1t should re-
late TO those people in the service whose
meager compensation renders ii difficult,
il not Impossible. to maintain a livelihood
for their families in Washington, where
the high cost of living is so keenly felt.
With this object i'm view | venture to
urge that Mr.. Gillett abandon his un-
popular. unjust. and impracticable meas
ure. and devote himself hencefOrward to
the increase of those salaries which sorely
need TO be increased. Retirement will
come by and by. Let short bill be pre-
pared and promptly introduced in both
the House and Senate. providing for a
70 Per cent increase of the salaries of the
classified service. ranging from $40 to
and including 81 100 per year, and for
10 per cent increase of the salaries. rang
ing from sl.600 to and including s, 500.
If such conservative bill as this shall
be enacted. the emergency which now
confronts the poorly-compensated people
of the classified service here, will be sat
isfactorfly met. The people who are an
nualy paid from s. 900 upward really need
no aid. They are fairly. and, might add,
adequately paid: they are getting along
nicely. and they could not reasonably
demand any more *s*