The Washington herald., 1916-12-06

ported by the committee. Representative
Fitzgerald at previous sessions has been
the leader In the movement to retrench
by cutting down salary increases.
Looking to President.
Proponents OF higher salaries have
not given up hope that the President
Will recognize the high cost OF liy-
ing and incidentally help the cause
Of better wages In . special message.
There are four separate Investigations
now being made upon this subject and
the results win be given to the Presi-
dent. Upon these II IL expected that
he may recommend special Legislation
to meet the situation.
A member Of the Committee on Appropri-
atoms declared that the blanket increase
now being considered for employees re-
ceiving less than 5000 a year would be
graded so that clerks, Office assistants
and other employees would get the maxi
mum Of SO a month, while charwomen,
boys and others in this class would be
given an increase Of $50 a year, or IS a
month. Five thousand eight hundred
! residents of the District will profit by
the proposed increase.
Another bill that has a direct bearing
upon the movement for higher salaries
was the passage by Congress Of the Keat-
ing bill, providing for an investigation
into the cost of living in the District.
The bill, awaiting the Presidents sig
nature, authorizes the Department of
Labor to make the investigation and ap-
propriates 5000 for the expenses of the
inquiry. Upon its findings, the Colora-
DO Representative hopes to get informa-
ton and statistics upon which he can
base a minimum wage law for the Dis
trict.
Feeling I'm the House of Represen-
tntives II strong for some Legislation
to help the government employees. A
large number of members who favor
such legislation, however, regard the
Nolan bill as too drastic. They are
opposed to $S as q minimum wage on
the ground that many employees who
will beneht through such q law do
not give that value to the govern
ment.
Conference on Salaries.
A conference was held by three Of the
members who are opposed to the Nolan
bill, but who favor higher salaries, al
the Capitol yesterday and a tentative
draft Of a compromise measure was out.
lined, which, when perfected, will be in
troduced. The minimum in this bill is
fixed at S23S and there would be graded
increases up to g a day.
Representative Carter, OF Massachu.
sets, thinks that the entire matter Of the
cost Of living and some scientific re-
vision of government salaries upward
could be made If a Congressional investi
cation were held at once.
IT would have this a committee Of
members Of the House." he said,
with power to subpoena witnesses and
books, and the testimony of the pack
ers, and the spectators in the Chi
cago grain and provision markets
would be only few of those who
would be forced to make startling
revelations"
Mr.. Carter introduced a bill to thi.
effect.
Meantime the Federal Employees Union
with H. NJ. McIarin as its Legislative
agent, is preparing to push a legislative
program that features the Nolan bill
the A. F. Of L $2Oo-a-year blanket in
crease for all employees receiving less thar
s., 600, and retirement legislation.
On the latter subject, the Legislative
committee of the union will meet tonigh
and ratify the draft of the pension bill
that has been drawn up by q subcommit
tee This will then be finally acted upol
by the board Of representatives and pre-
sented to Congress before the recess.