The Washington herald., 1916-02-25

majority Of Federal employees when ex-
press the opinion that the Borland
amendment will be of no benefit to the
Government. The mere addition of an
hour or so day would be more of
det-iment to the service
MY experience OF twenty-five years in
tEe Government service leads me % be-
Lleve that man who dsvotes himself
faithfully to his work for seven hours
accomplishes all that could be expected
of him.
7 hardly believe that the extension of
service to eight hours will decrease the
working force"
Hard on suburbanites.
James L. Wilmeth, chief clerk of the
Treasury Department:
The Borland amendment, II carried.
VIII work a considerable hardship on
government clerks here, particularly SO
In the winter, as they now work during
practically all OF the daylight Those
who live in the suburbs especially would
suner, from the amendment, as they
would have to leave and return to their
homes in darkness.
My experience has shown me that
government clerks turn out about as
much work In seven hours as in a longer
period. This is shown during the sum
mer, when they work but a half day on
Saturday.
Though under the amendment the
clerks would work longer, l do not think
II VIII mean reduction in the number
of clerks"
Might Cut Down Force.
Charles Z. Stewart, chief clerk of the
Department Of Justice: II cannot say
whether the BorlsHd amendment will
Work the saving that II Is supposed IL
will 1 think that the clerks in my de-
partment do all the work that ia re-
quired OF them.
1T is possible the enforcing of the
amendment II passed. may cut down the
number OF employees"
r. NJ. Reese, chief clerk OF the Depart-
ment Of Agriculture.
i don't see how the saving spoken of
in the amendment will be worked out,
AS to whether it would cut down the
number OF employes-I do not think the
department could get along with fewer
clerks than are now employed"
Expects No Decrease in War Office
high official Of the War Department,
who did not wish his name mentioned in
connection with his statement said he
thought 1t doubtful II the government
would be benefited by the passing of the
Borland amendment He did not think
1
employees OF the War Department. num-
bering about 400.
William |. Denning. chief clerk Of the
Postofrice Department:
Il have not had sufficient time to con-
slider all phases of the Borland amend
ment 1t is possible the amendment
would result in a reduction OF the force.
though 1t would not be material, l be-
| lieve."
hx
John B. Colpoys. secretary of the Cen
trail Labor Union, last night denounced
Representative Borland's eight-hour
amendment for government clerks as "a
step of retrogression in an age of
progression" Mr.. Colpoys said that
while there are practically no govern
ment members of the Central Labor I'm
lon who do not already work eight hours,
ne believes the amendment Is wrong In
principle.
officials Of the District government ex-
pressed the opinion last night that the
District service would not be materially
affected by the amendme emit which Rep
resentatiVe Borland unexpectedly saddled
onto the legislative, executive and ju-
dicial appropriation bill yesterday.
,, VIII Apply to 10000.
Representative Borland's amendment
was proposed without consultation with
the subcommittee headed BY Represent
alive Byrns, who framed the bill, and
was adopted over the protests of Mr..
! Byrns and Representative Mondell, OF
| wyoming, another member of the sub
committee. The present law requires not
| less than seven hours work a day.
Following the adoption Of the amend
ment, the legislative bill, CARRYING a to-
tai Of $3.50, $50 Is. was reported to the
| House.
| The Borland amendment will apply yir-
tually to all government clerks and Dis
trict employees in Washington, some 30 =
600 in all. and is advanced by Mr.. Ror-
land with the slogan IAN honest DAYS
work for an honest days wage"
Public Printer Little Affected.
| Public Printer Cornelius Ford. head of
the Government Printing ONCE. said last
night that only about 400 of his 1000 odd
employees would be affected by Represen.
tattve Borland's amendment requiring all
Government clerks to work at least eight
hours a day.
'Onhand, would say that l don't be-
lieVe any material reduction could be
made In that force by adding one hour to
one clerk and discharging another" said
Mr.. Ford I'VE are now running the
Government Printing Office with the
smallest force with which the work can
properly be done.