Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-16
Always Has Been Policy.

Senator Sutherland of Utah replied that
such had been the policy of the govern
ment from its very beginning.
"Our laws provide that the ex-soldier
shall be preferred in appointments under
the civil service" Mr.. Sutherland added.
This provision simply carries the propo-
sition one step further and prevents an
being discharged. But the government
is amply protected because the provision
Is that he shall be rated good in the de-
partment. If he has fallen below the
standard, then. of course. he is amenable
to the provisions of law which would au-
thOrize his dismissal.
Senator Smith of Georgia maintained
that the provision would hold in the civil
service clerks who are rendering less eff
ficient service than other clerks at lower
salaries. and he was opposed to such an
arrangement.
The point of order against the provi-
sion was sustained and it went out.
Early in the consideration of the bill
Senator Swanson of Virginia sought to
raise the salary of the seventeen watch
men at the Library of Congress from $72O
to $500. This proposal met strenuous OBJ
jections from Senator Clarke of Ar
kansas.
Move to Raise Salaries.
1.-The Library is not a place where
VI SOHSIeSdte, 0tudtOT NldTk
commented. These watchmen simply di-
rect people where to go. and 1 think
their present salary is entirely adequate
for the services which they render Mr..
Clarke added that general move to
raise salaries seemed to be on foot, and
he was opposed to the increase unless
there Is some system about 1t recon-
mended by some committee of the Sem
ate.
Senator Swanson, in his effort to get
the amendment through, replied that the
library Is frequently crowded with Wis
itors, and that the work of the watchmen
is heavy and responsible. IN view of the
services which they perform, he said, he
thought they were the poorest-paid en-
ployes of the government.
Senator Clarke insisted upon his point
of order against the amendment. and 1t
was in the chair, sustained the point of
order.
Gallinger Successful.
Senator Gallinger Had more success
with his amendment, proposing to raise
the salary of the park watchmen-more
properly park policemen-in the District
from $72O to $500 per year. After reading
a recommendation Of Col. Spencer Cosby.
superintendent of public buildings and
grounds, that this increase be granted
by Congress Mr.. Gallinger remarked:
1.-The fact is that here are men perform
ing police duty and working long hours,
and they are paid the miserable pittance
of $50 per month. How on earth they
live is beyond my comprehension. sub
NIT that to ask men to go into our parks
to guard the parks and to arrest Of
tenders, to risk their lives and to work
long hours for $50 month at the present
cost of living is bordering on what
think Is inhuman.
Mr.. Gallinger's plea was needed and the
Senate adopted the amendment.
At the suggestion of Senator Reed OF
Missouri provision was made in the bill
for an appropriation of 5000 to pay the
expenses Of the commission recently ap-
pointed by the President to investigate
the necessity or desirability OF establish
ing a national aerodynamical laboratory.
Removal Prevented.
The Senate also adopted an amendment.
suggested by Senator Cummins of Iowa.
declaring that the photographic office
shall not be removed to the building and
grounds of the Naval Observatory. Urg-
Ing the amendment. Senator Cummins
said it is now in the power OF the Presi-
dent or some other officer of the govern
ment to make this change and that 1t
was under way. The removal. he said.
would greatly interfere with the value OF
the work done at the Naval Observatory.
and that there Is nothing in common be-
tween the work of the photographic Of
flee and that of the Naval Observatory.
1t was by a vote of 33 to 20 that the
Senate approved the recommendation or
the committee on appropriations that the
life of the Commerce Court be extended
from March to June 80.
The progressive senator's renewed their
fight on the court, and Its other Oppo-
nents were among both democratic and
republican senator's. In behalf Of the eX-
tension it was urged that the ending of
the court March without provision for
continuing its business in other courts
would result in chaotic condition OF al
fairs in the business world.
While watching wOrkmen cut timber