The Washington times., 1914-10-09
ASKS WHITE WINGS"
Be GIVEN BETTERPAY
Letter to. Commissioners Calls
Attention to Resolution of
BrightWood Citizens. -.

"A score of American cities suffering.
so We are told under corrupt political
rule pay their white wings % to so per
cent more than we pay under our model
non-elective commission form Of gov
ernment."
This is the statement of William Nc
X. Clayton, of the Brightwood Citi-
zens' Association, in a letter to the
Commissioners urging that Congress be
asked TO provide for an increase in the
wages of these employees of the street
cleaning department. Many cases could
be cited of privation and distress that
because of their Inadequate wages,
their yearly earnings amounting to less
than $685.
Endeavor was made by the Bright
wood Citizens Association last year to
obtain an increase in the wages of the
white wings" Following is Mr.. Clay
toms letter, in part. directing attention
20 resolution of the association adopt
ed September Is. 1918, requesting the
Commissioners to include in their annual
estimates an amount sufficient TO pay
them at least s46S a year, exclusive of
the cost and maintenance of their uni
form:
The white wings are reported to
average 80 working days in the year,
which. If true-and many assert they
work and are paid for less-at the rate
OF sl5o day would amount to siss-
Net Earnings Sses Year.
They pay for their own washing and
repair. The average annual cost per
man for these items will run about s37
Deducting this amount from the annual
gross wages received leaves a man net
f39s year. There are 365 days in the
year: during each one a man should eat
and must pay house rent The entire
output OF his labor realizes him $l.09 a
calendar day. Many of these men are
forced to live long distances from where
they must report for duty and car fare
is another depletion of their stack of
pennies. Often on stormy days they
are knocked off after reporting for
work and again allowed but half DAY
when rain or snowfall intervenes. How
close they sail to the wind is shown in
that they invariably pay their street
car fares with nickel, never getting
ahead Of the game far enough to have
a quarter at one time.
Mine States of the Union. including
MasSa chusetts, have enacted laws, after
careful Investigation of living condi-
lions. fixing a minimum rate of wages
TCr working women, and in each case
the amount upon which a single wom-
an can live properly and healthfully Is
fixed higher than the sum realized by
laborers working on the streets of the
'6p,IdI Oh lIie lsHlIeQ
n week is the least upon which a work
ing woman, sometimes a slip of a girl
living with her parents at home can
live. how about robust man. keeping
his wife and several children in the
District Of Columbia on less than IS a
week?
The state, above all others. should
pay A man wages sufficient to raise and
educate his children and to keep his
wife al home. where she is needed most.
Deny Lack of Funds.
1T is not a question. Mr.. Commits
sioners. of the District not having .:uf-
ficient funds TO pay these men just and
living wages. We will spend this wear
in rebuilding a bridge across Rock
creek ten times the amount needed TO
pay these men an additional % cents a
Gay during the coming year. Congress
was pleased last wear to create from
cur annual revenues surplus of some
thing above 10000. tax money That
We needed spent upon the welfare and
upkeep of our city.
Will you say to Congress this year.
speaking for some of the people that