The Washington times., 1912-08-15

Of employees that the 100000 Government
clerks. the largest working force in the
United States, should be governed by
the same rules that have proven profit
able to our best business and profess
our legislators to enact such laws that
would elevate this large force OF men
and women. which represents more than
half the total cost Of running our Gov
%ortsy Of our most sneere eonsderS
tion, SO that 1t would become the model
working force of the world thereby
making II a model for all employers to
copy after. Or, to make It palmer.
the house tops that they believe In
fair deal for the workingman, let them
prove their sincerity by giving our own
Government working force fair deal.
pass Congress that would allow our
legislators to bid, barter. or promise
Federal patronage In any manner what
soever in order to aid in electing them.
should be recognized In this case with
out protest, II would be equally right TO
permit politicians to check on our Fed
eral treasury without protest 70 pay
should paw their debts, according to
law. from their legitimate earnings.
Congressman Get Increase.
COnBTtSo anu CChdtc huNO heaoSN
their salaries from 5000 to 5000 and
recently from 5000 to $500 and TINS Is
the proper source from which to draw
their campaign expenses.
''It is significant that this bill does
not include the $4,000 Government en-
ployes outside of Washington. They
have a vote, which has acted as safe
guard in this case. Those who live here
-. ,Ata nd q thnrpf0re. select
ed to bear the whole burden. Why not,
IL the seven-year plan Is just, divide the
burden between all the clerks, including
those outside of washington as well as
'This law shows no appreciation for
faithful services. What could be more
disheartening to ambitious workers.
What business house has ever been run
with success by such methods? Even
our soulless corporations that are 30
much abused by public speakers, recog-
nize appreciation to their employees as
most valuable asset.
"Only one of the three civil service
commissioners favored this law, two,
the majority, dissenting.
when you consider the small sal
aries paid our Government employees,
what permanent arrangements, under
the seven-year clause, could they make
toward providing for themselves and
families in old age? Under this plan,
what high class young man or woman
would seek the service where Congress
sional influence was the sole promoting
power?
Only Inefficient Left.
"If enacted this law would mean the
beginning Of designations on q whole
sale scale, leaving only the inefficient
and the aged to carry on the largest
and most important work of our Gov
ernment. .a ... ..- ..
IF the seven-year plan is correct in
theory, why not apply 1t to the army,
the navy, Congress, the Senate. the
Cabinet and our President? That Is,
limit everybody to a seven-year term.
''Permanency. humane treatment, abb
solute fairness In promotion, efficient
service and reward for real merit, is
the foundation of civil service and this
Is the only plan that will be fair to the
employe and at the same time give the
taxpayers of our country value received
for the enormous cost of running this
branch of our Government-the most
important branch, and, strange to say,
the most neglected by our lawmakers.
"our legislators should enact such
a~s np to as ssme w o6 h Standard ss ir Of e
cheney that is now in vogue In the
army and navy. Why should there be
any Discrimination between these three
The former is the very heart Of the
Government; the latter two its police
department. which Is the most import
ant? - ..a.
Revive Spoils System.
II understand every government ir
the world has abandoned the spoils
system. They had to do so because II
was the root and foundation of con
tinued graft. Under that system, civi
service was constantly manipulated and
used by selfish and unpatriotic persons
for their personal gain.
Congress is setting the country 6
bad example, after having raised thei1
own salaries, to try to further theil
| interests and escape paying their cam
paign expenses by the enforcement o.
this law, and at the same time refusing
| to raise the pay Of the clerks who hav'
not had an increase for sixty years
| Notwithstanding the fact that the cos
| of living, according to statistics, has II
| the meantime more than doubled.
when I mediate and weigh tn
| facts pertaining to the seven-yea
clause, In an impartial manner, I fee
| that the founders of this bill. are gov
erned solely and soullessly for persona
gain and not for the best interests o.
our country and the welfare Of its EN-
pIoyes. The moral to be drawn, Il
| conclusion. is. IF you want to know
what manner of man he is, see hoy
| he treats his subordinates.'