The Washington herald., 1912-06-13
MACHNIs1S FIGHT
FOR HIGHER WAGES
Employees at Bureau Of Engraving
and Printing Ask Raise Of
800 a Year.
APPEAL 10 DIRECTOR RALPH
MEETS WITH LITTLE SUCCESS
Indignant at Attitude of Chief, the
Matter VIII Be Presented
Through Central Body.

A vigorous night for higher wages
for the thirty machinists employed at
the Bureau OF Engraving and Printing
has been inaugurated by Columbia
Lodge, No. ia. International Assoeia-
tion Of Maehinists. The machinists
have appealed to Joseph Ralph, Di-
rector Of the Bureau. to increase the
wages, but have met with little sue
cess.
The machinists contend that the
wages paid at the Bureau are lower
than those In other branches Of the
| government and private printing es-
] tablishmsnts In Washington. They
ask an increase OF 800 per annum.
This would cost the Bureau $4,000 ad-
ditionai annually.
The machinists are indignant that
Director Ralph has not needed TO
their demands. A committee was ap-
pointed by the association some time
ago to confer with Mr.. Ralph. The
proposition was presented to the di-
rector OF the institution, and state
ments were made to the effect that
the wages paid machinists at the Bu-
reau were considered lower than those
paid similar artisans in other estab-
iishments in the city. Mr.. Ralph
EldNGAANAAH NAPAN1oAAe N-e
belief that the Bureau machinists
were the best paid In Washington. He
requested that the committee prepare
figures to back their statement, to-
gether with the names OF machinists
who received higher wages than those
paid Bureau employees.
Committee Complies Data.
The committee compiled data support
H. nd FTTananFnd IL fn
Mr.. Ralph at a second conference. The
figures showed that the mschInists in
the Government Printing once and in
all the local newspaper ohices were bet
ter paid than those employed at the
Bureau According to members Of the
committee, Director Ralph refused to
give the figures consideration, although
lie was compelled to admit that the con-
tentions Of the machinists had been cor
rect Mr. Ralph is said TO have told
the committee that II II could support
its arguments by figures. the chances Of
an increase in wages would be good.
The machinists are enraged that, after
supporting their arguments with figures
Director Ralph should refuse TO consider
the proposition OF an Increase. One
Of the leaders in the crusade for higher
wages said last night that plans are
being considered TO take the matter be-
fore higher authorities. The mode OF pro-
cedure has not been divulged, but II was
lntimated that an effort would be made
10 have an investigation conducted. so
as to ascertain the reasons Of Director
Ralph's refusal to respect the demands
OF the machinists-
The machinists contend that as result
OF. their experimental work with ma
chinery It has been made possible TO
save thousands OF dollars annually. In
1903 the cost Of producing 1,OO0 sheets
of money at the Bureau was S20.l4. Last
year the cost per 1000 sheets was only
1851. Approximately 2s2, 10000 sheets are
produced annually, so that the saving is
immense.
Labor May Take Hand.
The mAchinists contend that part Of
this saving should be used to increase
the salaries of the men who made II
possible. The thirty machinists at the
Bureau design, construct and experiment
with practically all the machinery used
at the establishment.
The question OF higher wages will be
brought before the Central Labor Union
next Monday night, and resolutions will
doubtless be adopted favOTing the in
crease. It is also probable that the sec
retary Of the central body will be d.
rected to circulate throughout the coun-
try by the medium OF the labor press
articles on conditions at the Bureau