The Washington times., 1914-05-26
Congressman AssaiIs Conditions
1 Among 10000 Skilled and
[ UnskiIIed Laborers, After In
! vestigation.
Charges Suppression of Efforts
of Men to Gain Recognition.
! Quotes Letters to Show
Hardships.

That Uncle Sam tolerdteS con-
ditions and wages among his en-
ployes that would be the subject
Of Government Investigation if a
private concern we're to treat its
employees in the same nay, is the
assertion of Congressman George
E. German of Illinois.
Fdporitism to employees Nth
political influence, in defiance Of
ctpa service, widely parying wages
for the same sort of work, and the
suppression of efforts of employees
TO organize to plead their cause,
also are conditions, he AYERS, that
now erist both among employees of
the Federal Government and of
the District of Columbia.
In some cases, he asserts, lobby
lists have preyed upon these poorly
paid employees and collected money
under promise of taking their cases
to Congress.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.
Uncle Sam is a harder taskmaster
than any private corporation, in his
treatment OF his 20. 600 employees list
ed as skilled and unskilled laborers."
That is the assertion of Congress
man George E. German of Illinois
following an extensive investigation
OF the wages paid both United States
Government and District employees in
Washington.
Statements from many of these en-
ployes. quoted by Mr.. German, fur
nish illuminating sidelights of the
hsrdships of service in these branches
OF the Government, and they disclose
individual cases Of struggles against
big odds. of poverty. OF actual want,
and of dependent relatives left des-
titute because of the poor pay OF
wage earners.
Why don't these men get out OF
the Government service? They were
Iured there when young" Mr.. Cor
man explained. by the fair initial
pay. They labored under the delusion
that efficiency meant advancement.
Now they find themselves with fam
lilies, without chance OF promotion
and with their noses so close to the
grindstone that they cannot go out
and hunt other employment.
Even when they do apply for other
work they must confess what Uncle
G. MAJ
prospective employer generally con-
cludes they are cheap men"
Charges Favoritism.
That employees doing similar work in
the same departments in Washington |
are paid widely varying salaries, and |
that this variation is the result of |
favoritism, not efficiency, is another |
charge made by Congressman German. |
That was the reason for the intro |
duction OF my bill recertIy. which !
would fix a minimum wage OF $50 a |
year for 'unskilled laboreIs' and of |
81 .OS0 for those classified as skilled |
IL sborers.' II is reasonable that depart |
ment heads should have a certain de- |
ployes under them. But the Govern |
ment should take some action which |!
would prevent those with political pull |
being paid Comparatively high salaries |
y nile those VINO nave no sutl Il influence !
must suffer.
besides United States Government |
and District employees in this city, ] es- |
innate that in each large city in which |
there is an internal revenue orfice !
about 100 men will be affected. And |
in the country at large about 10000 ,
Government employees will be affected ;
bv the passage Of such a bill
The former inhibition against organi- !
nation among Government employees, .
Mr. German said. precluded these en- !
poyes from demanding higher wages |
and better conditions. {
That prohibition was carried TO eX- |
cessive limits among District OF Co. |
lunIhia porkmen.' he said. And even !
yet find District employees who have I
come 20 me with grievances are in I
deadly fear lest their visits be known |
and that such efforts to improve Them |
sel~es result in the loss OF positions.
Many Pathetic Cases.
Some of the salaries raid employees !
or tic District, especially nt various !
institutions. are ridiruluusly low. And |
tho pay of men at many Government IN |
SIT gtions. such rs the Government Hos !
rltal for the Insane. is less than private !
CoErernE II like nature would pay .
Mary II the caE''s Of these men az /
pathetic. 7 have ono letter from wor- |
thy ani hard working Young man who |
IN -Et support wiIS. boy, and his pa !
rents. That young man has written me |
that ne expects to be compelled 10 send |
his aged parents TO SOM charitable in |