The Washington herald., 1916-12-02
SENATORS NDORSE
SALARY INCREASES
Dillingham;, of Vermont, and Works, of
California. Join Campaign.

Senators Dillingham;, of Vermont, and
Works, OF California, yesterday offered
unreserved support to the movement for
bettering the condition OF government
employees by increasing salaries
Below are Interviews from members OF
the Senate asked to give their opinion on
the subject.
Senator Dillingham;, Of Vermont, chair
man Of the committee on the University
Of the United States, said:
within the last ten census years, 1900
1910, the prices of foodstuffs, and of near
ly everything else. have been steadily
increasing. This is due in some measure
to the enormous migration from the ru-
raj districts to the cities, o situation
which has resulted In a larger demand
for articles Of food, and a very much
smaller supply. The war in Europe has
increased the demand, but not the supply.
Notwithstanding this, some of the prices
are out Of all reason. Some of the deal
ers appear to be boosting the prices for
their own benefit"
II am assuredly in favor of increasing
the salaries Of the government employees
in order to meet the advanced cost of
living. especially those under s., 800 and
5000 realize that some Of the smaller
salaried employees must be having a des-
Nerate time to make ends meet I am
also in favor of giving the employees q
half holiday on Saturday the year round.
Then some Of them would not have to
take time on Sunday to do their sewing
and mendins, their dentistry work, and
number Of other things which I have
been told Is necessary under the present
arrangement"
Works Favors Raise.
Senator Works. of California, went ON
record as being earnestly In favor of
increasing the salaries Of government
employees
Il earnestly favor increasing the
salaries Of government employees" he
said. "A person receiving under 81 800
or $1,000 can barely exist In these days
Of high prices. and these small salaries
should be increased by all means"
Senator Ollie James, of Kentucky, said
that he had not looked into the matter
of increasing salaries of government en-
ployes, but that he believed In fair treat
ment for employees at all times.
Il am always on the side of the work.
ing man when he has a Just means of
grievance" Senator James continued,
but not having looked into the matter
I should not care to give an opinion on
horseback. as we say in Kentucky.
will say that I do believe in giving the
government employees a half holiday on
Saturdays the year round
hlknt TO organise.
Senator Clapp. Of Minnesota, stated that
he did not care to discuss pending legisla-
don, since 1t was possible to declare in
favor Of a principle and then have 1t
presented in a bill in such a form that 1t
would be impossible to vote for It,
The right Of people to organize into
unions If they so desire Is a funda mental
one. so. OF course. I am not unfavorable
to the organization Of a union of the gov
ernment employees" the Senator declared.
Senator Shields. OF Tennessee, chairman
Of the Committee on Canadian Relations
also stated that he had not as yet looked
into the matter OF the necessity for In
creasng the salaries of government EN-.
ployes to meet the advanced cost Of liv
ing.
Il do not favor the organization Of gov.
eminent employees into unions" he said
but believe that every person should
be materially compensated for the work
that he does"