Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-03
Do Something for the Clerks.

IL is obvious from the readiness with
which the House put through the tarlH
commission bill the other night that II
the disposition prevails In that branch
of Congress to accomplish results, not
even the. congestion Of the calendar ana
tho shortness of the session can prevent
action. This spectacle of an important
measure receiving approval Ill such cir
cumstanccs encourages the nope that
something may be done at this session
for the government clerks
II is not merely in the interest of the
clerks that measures have been put forth
in the House and Senate proposing re-
tiremcnt systems and providing for gen
cral salary increases. Legislators who
have examined into the question know
that the present condition of the work
ing force in the departments is inimical
10 tho best interests of the government.
\ spirit of warranted discomfort prevails
in most of the offices. Hours have been
enlightened without corresponding in
creases in compensation. Privileges have
been curtailed, a rigidlty of time &C
counting has been developed i'm some OF
the departments, and the clerks find
themselves worse off today than ever
before. They are still hoping for relief,
even though the houses of Congress are
crowded with work
For nearly fifty years the salary scale
in the government Offices has remained
unchanged. Meanwhile, every other line
of human labor has felt the effect of
wise generosity on the part of employers.
The clerks are worse off today than they
we're nearly two generations ago. Yet
their responsibilities have increased and
their tasks have grown heavier. A hori-
zontal advance in clerical pay is requisite
to bring the governments force up to
standard. a simple bill to this effect is
pending in each house. 1t can be put
through in few hours il Congress Is
Wiling to apply to the thousands of lie
public service the same consideration that
IT gave to itself few years ago, when
it added fifty per cent to the salaries of
senators and representatives.
Then there is the retirement question,
long debated. fully understood by all
members who have taken thought Of this
important device to clear the govern
rnent'S workrooms of the faithful super
animated, and raise the standards of
efficiency by making room for younger
and more vigorous clerks without throw
ing the elders out into the streets to
starye. 1t is said that many members
are afraid that if they vote or speak for
This measure they Will hear from home. =
That Is the bugaboo of tradition. 1t did
not prevent the passage of the paragraph
adding $500 to the yearly pittances of
the legislators themselves. 1t has not
deferred the House from passing the
general service pension bill, putting an
enormous burden upon the treasury. AS
a matter of fact the folks back home
probably do not care a button whether
the government pensions it's clerks or
not, with or without the contributions Of
the workers themselves. And those who
are concerned need only few facts and
figures to convince them that the legisla-
tor who votes for this proposition is work
ing in the direction of true governmental
economy.
If the House wants to put the public
service on the plane of practical efficiency
it will pass the Gillett BILL or some other
bill providing some form of clerks re-
tirement system, and thus give the Senate
d chance to follow suit Inis can be
done now, a month before adjournment,
even though the Calendars are crowned
with items. and scores of members have
speeches to deliver for home reading.