The Washington herald., 1916-11-27

ing considered, to be held after Congress
convenes. Should the plans work out as
tentatively arranged. members of the
House and Senate will be asked to ad-
dress the meeting and all government
employees, regardless Of whether they are
affiliated with the union, will be invited
to attend. The meeting would be held at
Convention Hall
Statistics are now being prepared by the
municipal authorities Of Portland, Greg.
showing how the $3-a-day minimum wage
bill has worked out in that city.
Representative Rodenberg, of Illinois.
one Of the strongest opponents Of the ad-
ministration. has come out squarely for a
straight increase of 80 1-3 per cent for all
government employees and his statement
makes 1t plain that the movement to rais-
the pay OF Federal employees will not be
party measure. Committees have been
appointed to wait upon Representative
Mann of Illinois, the minority leader, and
enlist his support for the Nolan S3-a-day
minimum wage bill and other legislation
Of this kind.
His statement follows:
The action of the United States Steel
Corporation in voluntarily increasing the
wages Of its vast army of employees 80 1-3
per cent during the year 1916 in order to
enable these employees to meet the in
creased cost of living should have the
effect of causing the present Congress TO
consider favorably and without delay
the just and reasonable demands of gov
ernment employees for an increase In their
compensation. The most poorly paid in
dividuals in this country are the school
teacher and the government clerk. Mil.
factory and mine operatives, artisans in
the building trades, railroad employes-in
fact. the workmen in practically every
industry, have secured substantial ad-
vances in wages during the last few
years, but the salary Of the teacher and
the government clerk remains stationary.
There has been no readJustment OF
Uncle Sans salary scale in fifty years.
That scale Is milldewed with injustice
and inequality. and Is a monument to
penury and parsimony. No government
employe is ever overpaid and 30 per cent
Of them are always underpaid.
TN the past every attempt to increase
the compensation Of government employees
in any legislative appropriation bill has
invariably been prevented by some cheese
pairing demagogue, posing as the guardian
Of the Treasury, making a point Of order
against the proposed increase. 1t Is time,
therefore, that Congress should deal with
this important question in a serious and
systematic manner, animated only by
desire to DO even-handed justice to all
government employees.
Says U. 8. Can Afford Ii.
80 far as am personally concerned
have no hesitancy in saying that be-
lieve that the rich and powerful govern
ment Of the United States can afford to
be as just and generous as the United
States Steel Corporation. I would not
hesitate to vote for a bill granting a
general increase of 80 Ia per cent in the
salaries paid to all government employees,
and I would apply the same rate of in
crease to the salaries Of the school teach
ers OF the District.
Statistics show that the cost of liv-
ing has increased SO per cent during the
last two years and there Is no indica-
ton of relief in sight. On the contrary,
everything points to still further ad-
vances in the cost Of the necessaries OF
life. II Congress is disposed to be fair
to the faithful employees Of the govern
ment these changed conditions should be
taken into consideration and a law
granting substantial relief should be
speedily enacted.
ASIDE from the admitted EQUITIES of
the movement for an increase of COM
pensation of government employees I be-
Iieve such increase can be fully justi-
fed from the standpoint of practical
economics. maintain that an en-
ploye is incapable OF performing the best
and most efficient service If constantly
harassed by thoughts Of his inability to
meet the ordinary living expenses of him
self and family. I have always believed
that the laborer is worthy of his hire
and I shall welcome an opportunity to
give my unqualified support to any meas
ure providing for fair and equitable
treatment Of the employees Of the Federal
government.