The Washington times., 1912-01-18
Wants Readjustment.

Wants Readjustment.
1--WE want salaries adjusted TO agree
with the service performed" ne said.
There are many salary inequalities I'm
the Government service today. For in
stance, the entrance salaries are low,
and. on the other hand. there are en,-
ployes receiving good salaries and prac-
tically performing no duties
Can you cite any concrete cases?'
asked Chairman Goodwin.
They have been generally referred
to-, said Goodwin. 'and think there
will he no trouble to find such ex-
Mr.. Gillett interposed. saying that one
equality existed in the fact that clerns
doing idcntcallv the same work re-
ceived varying salaries.
''Do YOU think the Government should
assume the nature Of guardianship for
employees who are not frugal enough to
SAVE asked Mr.. & Young of, Of Kansas; ,n;nsu >,
Goodwin The old man stands in the
way in present conditions
Dr. Liewellyn Jordan. secretary OF the
United states Civil Service Retirement
Association. disagreed with Mr.. Good
win about the Austin bill. He favored a
contributcry system hut was willing to
accept fat raise of Is per cent In con-
"Do you favor the Austin bill?" ask
ed the chairman.
Yes" replied DR.. Jordan,
But Mr.. Goodwin opposed It," COM
mented Chairman Goodwin.
Mr.. Goodwin was opposed to nat.
horizontal increase: He wants a RE re-
F, classification said DR.. Jordan. The
such a reclassification was needed, but
that meanwhile the 15 per cent increase
IN the Austin bill would help.
Redistribution Plan.
Asked how salaries should be reciass-
flied r. Jordan replied:
"They should be readjusted in strict
accordance with the work performed.
They are now all out of joint with the
times. There has been no reclassihca-
ton since 1858. when the lowest salary
= ting for salaries as low as s7sO. The
average salary paid PAID the Government
employees is about $sa. $s0; s,,a .r am
opposed to straight civil pension be.
cause the Government is not ready 70
embark on an old age pension system
IT should pay living wage to Its ,s,nr EN-,
system, which will compel these EN-
ployes to lay aside a portion OF the
money they receive under the guardian. n
ship Of the Government. this money tc
be returned to him when he Is retired
A straight pension has numhing ef:
feet. 1t does not encourage THRIFT; anc
the Inefficient. The whole problem /.
based on increased efficiency, and yol
should not hamper 1t by a system tina
might thwart the purposes sought e
be accomplished"
Jolt For Committee.
William E. Russell an employe of thu
customs service of New York, surprised
the committee by stating that service
in the Government was more hin
drance to one seeking employment latel
In other vocations than a term in the
penitentiary.
six years service in the Govern
ment," said Mr.. Russell, lis greater
handicap than six years in the peniten
tiary. When l went to New York bust
ness men shook their heads when l ap
seen service in the Government. They
told me that Government methods were
archaic and 200 years behind the times.
Mr.. Russell also was opposed to the
Austin bill for combined increase OF
salary and contributory pension. He
adjustment of salaries should not be
made on a fiat horizontal basis.
Oscar F. Nelson, president of the Ma.
tional Federation of Postoffice Clerks
favored the Austin bill He made a
plea for decent salaries
Alexander H. Schultz, of the Posta
Service in New York, presented a writ,
ten argument in favor of pension retire.
mcnt legislation. He was followed BY
George l.. Cain. of the Boston navy
yard, and the National League Of Gov.
ernment Employees. His organization
Mrs. Jennie l.. Monroe, an employe OF
the Interior Department declared that
no employe in the Government service
Ia receiving more than he deserved.