The Washington times., 1911-01-01
ALL EMPLOYEES
DESIRE INCREASE
More Pay First Considera-
ton, So Why Dodge Is
sue? Asks Mr.. Buck.
By JOSEPH W. BUCK,
Editor of the Washington Investigator

Down in his heart every single en-
ploye in the District would far rather
have his salary increased than be
granted some sort of a pension IL 1t
were choice of either.
| That is what the employe believes,
] and justice dictates the same choice, SO
| there should be no hesitancy in action
| toward that end. 1t is common sense
| to believe that in this instance "a bird
in the hand is worth two in the BUSH
| and there may not be a couple in the
bush.
Arguments presented by the respective
sides have been filed with logic, and
have clearly brought out the necessity
of some scheme for the retirement of
the superannuated employees, but the
urgency of a salary increase all along
the line has not been less emphasized
in all the articles. Between the lines
could be read what was not stated,
namely:
IF we could only get an increase in
salary, any plan of retirement would be
satisfactory"
Cart Before Horse.
Then why dodge the issue and be-
fuddle the minds of the members of
Congress with a mass of contradictory
arguments that should be of secondary
consideration? The cart is being put
before the horse, as IT were, with the
possibility of menacing and endanger-
ing the chances of obtaining satisfac-
tory action on the agitation for raises
in salary.
What would 1t profit an employe if
he were granted the uncertain chance
OF getting a pension without cost, but
at the same time be left with the pres
ent salary? 1t would cost him Just as
much to live as ever, and he would not
nave any more money. When he would
ask Congress for more he would be told
that the pension Is really an increase in
salary, and that would be about all
Uncle Sam could stand for a few years
Suppose the contributory plan were to
be imposed upon the emplOye without
an increase In salary. Where would he
be? Minus the deductions from his pay
envelope, he would be in hard straits
worse than ever. Why. then, take
chances of such a condition arising
when there is only evil in sight?
Increase, the Solution.
Raise the salaries, and it will pave
the way to retirement legislation, and
solve the problem of approximation.
VI tilt CltihSp us Expressed
by the letters in The Times, seems to
favor an increase in salary in preference |
to anything else. Employees have their |
ideas on the retirement propositions and |
have told them, but to my mind each
and every one would welcome more ,
money rather than the prospects of a |
pension. /
Not a line has been printed against a |
to increase the salaries first, |
and am glad to note that many of the !
departmental officers are of the opinion /!
that the salary question should precede |
all others just now.
All Of us recognize that the superan-
nuation problem is a big one, and full |
OF vital interest to the employe and the |
Government, and not for a moment do |
! intend to give the impression that |
Immediate provision should not be made |
for their aid. I would rather try to |
impress the fact that 1t should be ap-
preached in the right directicn-lncrease |
salaries first.