New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-27
RAISE GOVERNMENT SALARIES
II Should Be the Model Employer, but Lays
Far Behind

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. Relative to the discussion regarding
the question Of increases in salary for gov
eminent employees. the only solution to re-
.leve the present burdensoms conditions I'M
posed upon the government employe IS 10
give him a substantial increase IN salary.
Du. to abnormal worldwide conditions, the
cost Of living hsi steadily increased during
The last two years This fact has been rec
oRniIed by Congress, rs evidenced ny inc
proposed measures to lower the cost OF com
modities. and il is matter OF daily discus
sion in the public press. In New York City,
in particular due 10 local congestion OF
population and tho peculiar conditions OF
commerce which prevail here, the increase IN
the living expenses OF the people has been
exceedingly marked and burdcnsome, and
weighs more heavily on the employe than at
any other place in the country. As each
dollar OF salary at present has decreased
purchasing power. this increase in tho cost OF
living virtually amounts to decrease IN the
employees salaries.
Tho government hs, not increased salaries
Substantially 20 meet this emergency; prl-
vsts concerns have. The only feasible method
70 meet these conditions and 10 prevent un-
due hardship on employees IL TO increase
their salaries a. measured by dollars 10 such
an extent that the purchasing power OF their
salaries will not BIO decreased By increased
cost OF commodities. This fact has been gen
orally recognized by the large industrial con
earns Of the country. The steel industry has
granted several 10 per cent general increases
in wages since January I, 1916; the textile IN
dustry electric light and gas companies, rail-
road and other public utility corporations
have usually granted substantial general
increases as have also the Standard OIL Com
pany. the sugar industry, the metal industry
and various banking and financial houses and
he CITY or New York, II is understood, -
providing for n substantial increase IN the
salaries or its employees. This movement y
not local or sporadic in character, but IS
nationwide and has been under way Tor
some time past.
In the matter Of labor conditions mat
ter which affects all citizens generally, since
the mass of tho population Of this country
are wage oarners the government should set
an enlightened example to private concerns
10 should be the model employer and should
show the way. In the present crisls, how
ever, the government, winch prosecutes pr
vate concerns which are held to be IN re
straint of trade and hence detrimental TO the
public welfare. does not hesitate 70 jeopar-
die the welfare OF the American citizen by
forcing its employees 70 lower their standards
OF living through its failure to provide for
abnormal increased costs of living as they
arise. Further, IL Is of vital importance TO
the direct machinery Of the government that
fair attitude be assumed by it. since, by its
failure 20 take proper action in this emer-
gency, the government is making employment
in its service hardship and is discouraging
the employment Of able men. During the
past year il has lost the services OF many
excellent men for this very reason.
Either the government must raise salaries
proportionately with the increase In living
expenses or It must stand by and see its
EMPLOYEES salaries decrease Gin value), with
the consequent lowering Of standards OF Nv
ing and loss OF higher-grade men.
In order that the standards OF living OF the
government employees may be maintained, and
IN adjust their salaries on a basi. with the
present extraordinary conditions, and to af-
ford relief from the present burdensome
state of affairs, Congress should grant a
horizontal increase OF at least 10 to 90 per
cent n their salaries.
EMANUEL I. JAPHE,
National Association OF Civil Service En-
ployes
no1 1915