The Washington times., 1914-05-15
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.

ultimate loss they face for the slight
ly increased compensation they now
receive.
Now, to get an expert opinion OF
the physical effects of these ma
chimes, / got in touch with the Bu-
reau of Public Health. But after |
arranged to have an inquiry made
by that bureau. Mr.. kram baked,
saying that coordinate bureau un-
der the Treasury Department had no
authority to investigate his office.
Il found that Mrs. Archibald Hop
Eins, and a number IF other promi-
ncnt Washington women had made a
similar effort and had failed. SO l
let that part of the matter drop.
IF these machines are necessary
20 the audit they should be electri-
fed, or the hours should De short
ened to bring the daily task of these
workers within human physical iiIni-
tations- This Government is too big
10 need to save = few dollars at the
expense of the health and welfare
Of its employees.
Even at that, there is doubt
whether the present system effects
saving. / have had printed in the
Confessional Record figures of a
former employe in the auditors Of
fee. showing that there is an in
crease in the cost of the new sys-
ten over the old of s110,36
IT will not vouch for the correct
ness OF that statement but it at
least deserves consideration and
Comparison with the saving reported
by Mr.. Kram.''
Congressman Bryan also had in
serted in the Congressional Record
a series OF letters received by him
attacking Mr.. kram's methods and
accus ng the auditor of making a
record at the expense of the clerks
in his office.
Kram Defends System.
Mr.. Kram asserted that it was
recognized at the time the electrical
tabulation system was installed that
there were a number of employees
in the office not adapted or not
qualified to perform the work un-
der the new system.
That fact" he stated, sis not a
reflection on the individuals nor on
the devices.
There are persons who are not
adapted to the work OF typewriting,
but typewriting would not be con-
demned for that reason. The oper-
alton of q key-punching machine is
similar to the operation of a tyne
writing machine. and experience has
shown that there are a few employees
not adapted by tempera ment or
training 10 IIe OF lillS be-
vice. They are a small minority,
and their dissatisfaction or in"ffi-
cheney in this respect should not be
seized upon as an opportunity to
condemn a system which has demon
strated its superiority over the
method of audit formerly in use.
at is proper that quality as well
as quantity of work should be con-
sidercd in fixing the r"tc Of pay.
Experience has demonstrated that
the average operator makes about
three-tcnths of per cont OF errors.
The allowance of one-half of ] Ter
cent for errors results i'll the great
majority of operators receiving the
maximum rate. The few operatives
whose work falls below the standard
are rated in quality on a scale equal
to a deduction of cents for each
error. Notwithstanding this SLIGHT
deduction. the operatives now receiv"
an average annual compensation Cf
slOl4 ag compared with th' ir former
averate salary OF S'42.
Hours Shorter, Pay Larger.
.~The operatives are grouped into
five classes, according to the degree
of accuracy in their work, and the
maximum number OF cards per
mitted to be perforated is based upon
The, OIr.ty Of their work. OF the -
orer:tiy,. engaged on the work, np-
proXImatcly one-third complete the
maximum amount before the close of
the day, and are permitted TO syn
out after $50 r. III. AS there has
been an increase or approximately
one-thIrd in the compensation and
m average decrease in the working
time daily Of one hour, il will b"
seen that the new system puts
nrerniJm on efficiency. and II still
nerrnits oven the less efficient opc-
rators to earn as much rs before
Not exceeding half Il dozen of those
now .pga ged on the WORK. 10 my
knowI-dge. have suffered any III ef-
f,.cts ply ysically. From time 10 time
&c yacancies have occurred in other
bureaus Of the Treasury l~partfn"ht'
ernnloycs not physiCallv adapted to
oneratjnp the key punch have been
transferred where their trainin' on
~. ro-rrnr work in this office will be
Of eeryic. 10 III" Gov v'.rnr0"nt.
Tho Installation Of tho electrical
+orI-ra.ion c,.sten. NJ. kram stated.
enabled him to accomplish ~" same
result with 1t0 cnpi"Trs that was
formerly done with .ih, and hv r"a-
son of the transfers mentioned. the
reIuctIon WIS effected without the
Ioss of nositiOn to snv emplOve.
In view OF the alleged dissatisfac-
tom aroirst the piece work syst-m.
he said he had ballot prepared
reI.ir- each emploYH tn ""Dr"SS pr'''-
ernnre as to whether Sh" would
rather return to her former salary
or continue under tn" ri""c work
pavm~rt svstem. or q "Se VII"
yot.d 10 EXPRESSED !" preference for
piece work. and Is for salary.
NOT IN Lose Vacations.
complaint also has been made
that employees were to be deprived
Of leave" Mr.. Kram said. The
only basis for that ehar%. is that
We have asked employees I" wait
until after the end OF the present
fiscal wear. that is. until Iulv |. he
tore taking leave. That was done
because there has been nearly doU-
bic the per cent normal early in
credse in money orders during the
=