The Washington times., 1916-02-26
HINTS CONGRESSMEN
ARE NOT INFORMED
No One Can Tell How to Raise
Babies as Well as Unmar-
ried, She Says.

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Just n few words anent the possible
enactment OF the legislative. executive,
and judicial bill with its pestiferous
rider" which has fomented such indig-
nation IN the minds Of every fair-mind-
ed individual In this city. as well as IN
the consciousness Of every one OF the
desplsed Government clerks"' them
selves.
The intimate knowledge OF the work.
ings and needs of tho various depart
ments which may be gained by Con
gressman in passing through the corr
ridors or sitting for a few minutes in
the office OF an official. II not to De
gainsaid; II Is a.well known fact that
no one can give such expert advice
ON the proper bringing up OF children as
the people who never had any.
The. writer has been employed In the
capacity OF a temporary clerk In hve
different departments of this Govern
ment, and feels qualified to speak from
this rather diversified experience. In
ali OF these departments y have wit
messed the ''overmanned" condition
spoken of, but Il has been dead wood"
which composed the excess--superannu-
ated employees whose best years OF
service had been given TO the Govern
ment, and for whose proper retirement
no provision has ever been made.
Have Worked Overtime.
In all but two Of these departments
I, together with the rest, have worked
overtime" from one to four hours, even
longer. and have received therefor neith-
er remuneration nor any ether form OF
acknowledgment, and a minutes taroi-
ness counted as half an hour from ones
annual leave. II. indeed, such leave was
allowed a temporary clerk at all-if
not. It came out of the pay.
from Missouri to contend that an addi-
tional hour would work no hardship 10
those concerned that the plea or I'm
paired efficiency or fatigue H. ficu-
ttous and puerile one, but IT IL, l believe.
an undisputed fact that the climate Of
Washington is a peculiarly enervating
one and the sustained effort easily pos
sibls In other climates, becomes a physi-
cal endurance test In washington. Also,
the nature and kind OF much Of the
work In such as TO require very close APP
plication and infinite detail. and seven
hours OF this sort OF employment ts
surely "a days work for days pay.
For many, many years there has been
of the Government employees; while the
cost of living has climbed increasingly
the salaries have remained the same
and the result Is most unsalstactory
to the Individual ana anything Dut
credit to the Government, which, as 9
matter of justice as well as OF national
pride should be q model employer. Ths
gentlemen from Missouri says that II
the clerks do not like this new arrange
ment, they can express themselves al
yersely by reslgning; perhaps no one
would weep copiously II the gentlemen
in question would show his dissatisfac G
ton with the present conditions by simi
lar action. It would be emphatic ou'
perhaps inconVenient. in either case
Economy Is Vital
The question of economy Is vita
one, and properly administered.
worthy one. but there are other ave
nues of retrenchment that would b
practicable and productive Of concret'
results, yet work no hardship to any one
can vision certain expensive furnish
| ings In some of the Offices, wtthou
which, can quite believe, the admin
istration of the Government would no
| be seriously impaired. We have al
heard of the Irishman who cut the to-
OF his blanket and sewed Il to the bot
| tom because his feet were cold, Their
are certain Democratic so-called econo
mics with are equally futile.
| A GOVERNMENT CLERK.
Washington, February B.