The Washington times., 1916-03-02
Tells of Hardship Of Working in An.
tiquated Government Buildings.


To the Editor Of THE TIMES: t
In all this discussion and criticism
OF the Borland rider" little has been
said about conditions under which the
Governmcnt clerk does his work I
think can safely say that the United
States Government owns but one SCI
ehtihcaily lighted and ventilated work
shop in Washington. and that 10 the
new Bureau OF Engraving and Printing.
Buildings rented are more sanitary and
Nd TO date than those the Government
owns. winder building, home OF the
Auditor for the War Department, is flvo
stories high. end for ffty years the
charwomen cleaned with water in win.
ter ICY cold, no hot water available
nearer than tho boiler-room. In base
ment. Last year hot water was piped
q centuryi
Now about the book stacks In Con-
gressioaal Library. The books must
be preserved at all hazards and 10 the
windows are Theoretically sealed. and
air for the attendants pumped In from
below, with the stacks artihcially light
ed. Sun light IL 10 beneficial to man,
but IL bad for BOOKS. II Is needless to
refer to the Pension Office, that Gave
OF the Winds" for only veterans In
nurcd to outdoor life survive II.
In the Treasury building room js 30
scarce that on many floors the ends OF
corridors. built for light and .ventila-
tiCn. are boarded up and used for cler-
ical purposes. Look at the prison bar
rcd front, with its port-holC doorways
facing street. no guttering overhead !,
In q stern rain trickles down one'S
neck before you can pass In or out, and
get an umbrella raised. Ono looks with
envy at the Willard with ita glass roof
extending to curb edge. mindful OF the
comfort cf It's patrons: The big stores
provide similar protection. where their
customers can comfortably wait for
auto or street car.
wcnder II the honorable gentlemen
from my State or any member OF that
committee have visited the basement OF
the Treasury, where women count and
sift out counterfeits from mutillated
money! Working below the level of
the streets, instead of high up. where
Gods sunshine and fresh air would pro.
long life and eye sight And around Mt
the National Bank Agency. nn immense
room built on what was formerly an
inner court, rooted over with glass, 80
hot in summer time that hose is turned
on II to save the women from sun
stroke. II docs not look NJ II the clerk
vas an asset Of much value Ia the
Government and yet In n majority OF
cases his place could net be filled
easily knowledge comes with expert
ence. and the old-time clerk has H.
Fifty wears ago General Spinner.
United States Tren s,ire- IN his rnnual
reports. alwayE asked Congress for IN
increase OF nav for the women OF the
redemption division. They were getting
n uniform salary OF se0o PEE annum
ard quit work at ! o'clock. He would
jokinEly remark: 'If I get you moro
paw am afraid the men wilt c:-wd you
out" which tennis me to paraphrase:
Mans inhumanitv TO woman
Makes countless thousands suffraglsts." "
If Mr.. Borland OF Missouri In willing
TO ''be shown" PoTne OF these working
conditions or Government clerks. he
nere he VIII not only strike that oh
Htitute another. decreasing the working
hours and recomme nding an increase OF
pay. f.. r. KEELEY.
Washineton. March /.