The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-26
WASHINGTON NEWS GOSSIP
tBy Charles Brooks Smith. !

q tby GRarleS BrookS Smllh.1'
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 20
Tile first book day at the Congress
sional club, since II has occupied the
new home on New Hampshire avenue,
was observed Wednesday with bur.
fet luncheon followed by the prescn-
tation OF hooks from the various state
delegations. The buffet luncheon.
which was served from flower
! decked table first occupied the atten'
ton Of the guests Later tho book
presentations were made for the II.
brarv. The advisory, board OF the
club has member from each state,
! and each OF these consults with other
women from her state IS to the So
lection OF the book that is to be pre-.
! senied. This year tho active mem.
beers from West Virginia, are Mrs.
Stephen B. Elkins and Mrs. fzetta
Jewell Brown. wife OF Congressman
brown. Mrs. Brown was chosen chair
man OF the committee from West Vir.
ginia. and the bookpresented In West
Virgtnia's name, in few. happily
chosen remarks by Mrs. Brown. was
the "Semi'Centennial History OF West
Virginia." by James Morgan Gala
han. The book was the gift OF Sena-
Tor Henry Gassaway Davis. who, when
consulted as to the choice Of tho book
for this year, not only expressed un.
qualified admiration OF Mr.. Galatians
work, but sent the book TO Mrs. Brown
as a gift to the club from am. Mrs.
Eikins is in Atlantic City for short
stay and was unable TO be present ut
the meeting. AS individual gifts sare
also welcomed OH these days. the
Club possesses quite an interesting
library. and II is doubtful u there IL
SO comprehensive collection OF
works from each state in any other
library in the country. A glimpse at
the library shelves shows just how In.
teresting book day has become.
Real speed, breaking all previous
records. was displayed by congress
Tuesday night, when, in a little less
than two hours, 1t put through the
postal appropriation bill. carrying
S317 1856 with the exception " two
small items, which went over for
further consideration. - The senate
simply adopted all Of the committee
amendments Of the house bill. except
two. one Of which reduced the amount
allowed for further experimentation
with village delivery service, and the
other affecting the pay Of rural de.
livery carriers. There has been gen.
eral protest from all over the country
against the biennial promotion
amendment to the postal appropria.
tons bill which, II enacted into law,
will amend the classification acts OF
postoffice clerks in first and second
class post offices and letter carriers
in the city delivery service and rail.
way mail clerks, and will provide
that promotions In these services will
be made bi-ennialIy, instead OF annual.
ly as at present. Under the proposed
amendment a city letter carrier would
work on an average OF three years
as a substitute at $25.00, a month, and, .
IL then appointed to the regular force
he would serve two years in the $500
grade and two years In cash Of the
Intervention grades. or total of 10
years before he could reach the 81 200
grade. It Is commended that under
the present laws the promotions OF
employees in these departments is
none TOD rapid considering the dutiey
they perform, and Il surely would not,
be incentive to competent and ETH.
cfent employees to continue in the ser
vice OF they have to look forward to
thirteen years Of service before thew
could reach the highest grade 1tnf