davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
ID. c. RULERS NOT
FOR LONGER HOURS
But Commissioners Will Not
Discuss BorIand Measure
Publicly Unless Asked.

Unless called upon by Congress for
n report. the Commissioners win make
no public utterances regarding the
Borland amendment to the executive.
Legislative. and judicial bill increas sing
the hours OF labor In the executive de-
partments and the District government.
Their decision was made known fol-
lowing a conference today.
II 10 understood, however. that the
board is in sympathy with the heads
OF departments. among whom there Is
practical unaminity OF opinion that
an additional hours work would not be
conducive to efficiency and would re-
suit In no benefit to the general public.
While the Boriand amendment direct
ly affects approximately $50 employees
of the District government, Il IL UNI
likely the Commissioners win be ask
ed for an expression OF their views
concerning st.
1t is not the custom. Il was stated in
the office of the secretary to the board.
to call upon the Commissioners for their
opinion on legislation affecting the Dis
trict government. when It is attached
as rider TO appropriations bills.
This meanS that while the executive
hNouh aiC u HcI IOTln IulIy 10
Congress their views on all manner of
bills relating to the District. It r. un-
likely they will be asked for a report
on a measure which affects not only the
personnel OF the District government.
but the welfare of a large majority Of
the residents of the District as well.
In many OF the District departments
the employees now work more than
eight. and frequently nine and ten
hours.
Especially is this so in the engineer
department, where the work of the in
spectors and outside force is limited not
by time but by the demands made upon
them.
TO a large extent. the same situation
exists In the other departments. The
hours of the clerical forces are the
same as those in the executive depart
ments, from Q until 4:3D.
frequently, however, according TO de-
partment heads. they are required tc
work overtime. For this additional
work they receive no additional COM
pensation nor credit on their annual
leaves
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Washington, Feb. "a.
How About Employees at Government
Insane Hospital?

70 the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Isn't II strange that just as soon as
some member of Congress introduces a
bill to require the poor. overworked
clerks to work eight weary hours that a
universal howl is raised against such an
inhuman proposition, and yet when SO
much has been written In the newspapers
about the long hours the employees
of the Government Hospital for the In
sane are compelled to work, very little
attention IL given to them?
Just think of a girl or man going on
duty M follows:
one day reports at a. m. and off
at s p. m. Next day reports at a. m.
and off at p. M, except when their
8 o'clock days fall on Tuesday or Fri
days. when they are compelled to re-
port back for duty at y. m, so as to
take patients to the chapel" which
usually lasts until 0 p. M, but. some
times lasts until II p. m: and then
on Monday and Wednesday nights
those who are off at p. m. must work
attendants that are in training to at
tend class"
II the poor clerks are overworked now
what do YOU think OF these poor en-
ploycs who are compelled to work like
this, and on a salary from SIG to S45 per
month, and II they should happen to be
few minutes late In reporting to their
room at night for rest they are sub
jcct to a penalty2
These are the poor Government clerks
that need the attention of our legisla-
tors. ONE WHO KNOWS.
Washington, Feb. %.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Declares Bill Would Mean Actual
Decrease In Salary.

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Congress has established salaries for
the workers on basis of a six-and-one-
half-hour day. 1t must be assumed that
this was done after mature considera-
ton and on an equitable basis. as this
august assembly can act upon no other.
Now. after half a century in which
cost OF living has doubled. and after
Congress has increased their own Fala-
ries by 50 per cent. without increasing
the wages of the other Government:
workers. a Mr.. Borland arises to actually
decrease the salaries by the equivalent
of requiring more for the same pay
than originally contemplated by Com
gress. He proposes to take from SIS
a month messenger (who pays S25
a month for board and ROOM the equiv
aient OF sI.H; from the $50 a month
bookkeeper. 1872. All told, when gath
cred from the crossways and Eyways,
the huge amount of 100000 will have
been saved. And this Is called pa
triOtlsm. l have Eeen a Democrat all
my life. but II that is the caliber OF
Democratic statesmen, hope become
a mugwump. JOE JACKSON.
Washington, Feb. "a.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Says Government Clerks Have to
Work Overtime Without Getting
Any Extra Paw.

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
In connection with the Borland bill to
increase the hours of the Government
clerks to eight hours per day. II might
be apropos to. state the conditions that
existed in the quartermaster generals
office, In the war Department. during
part OF 1898 and 1899.
During most OF the year 1898 the
writer was a clerk at $1,000 per annum
in the office of the quartermaster gen.
eral of the army, holding a position of
trust and responsibility, having re-
signed from a large corporation TO ac-.
cept the same. At that time the regular
office hours were Increased to o'clock.
From July, 1898. to the end of that year.
the writer. with large number of
others, was required to be at the office
nearly every evening until 10 o'clock,
and every Sunday morning, without a
single minute of leave, either annual or
sick.
The Secretary of War. General Alger,
recommended that record be kept
of the overtime work done. and that
Congress would, undoubtedly pay the
employees for It. But, unfortunately
for those interested, Congress has con-
sistently refused to appropriate one
cent for the extra work: and a number
OF the employees have had a very little
Increase In compensation since that
time, and some have even been reduced.
II any one calls that justice, fail to
see II In that light.
While the Government hours are from
to '4:3O o'clock. one may find many,
many persons at the office long before
8: in fact know of cases where some
arrive at 1880. and are found there
At o'clock, and many nights during
the week. without a cent of extra COM
pensation.
CLERK IN WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Feb. a.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Washington, February n.
Wants Clerks TO Join Organization
To Aid Themselves.

To tho Editor OF THE TIMES:
In The Times of Saturday was a let
ter signed by "a Union Man." con-
corning the Borland rider. He calls
attention to the fact that Mr.. Bor-
lands eight-hour constituents have
behind them the power which pre-
vents any monkeying with the buzz
saw In attempting to manipulate their
working conditions---strong trade or
ganizations.
1t is also to be hoped that Mr.. Bor-
lands constituents are sufficiently in
telllgent to appreciate the fact that
such an arbitrary addition to work.
ing hours by the employer. who
should rightly be pointed out, as the
advance guard In civilization, must
have decided psychological effect on
working conditions the country over.
That civilization, even its advance
guard, Is not SO far along the Yoad
but what the rule OF might makes
The only might for an individual
without money Is organization.
The answer is: There Is a struggling
union of about 200 members in WASH
ington. one of twelve similar organi-
cations scattered throughout the
country, known as the Stenographers.
Typewriters. Bookkeepers. and AS
homer. as the Jurisdiction of the
union covers practically all office
workers, and all Government clerks
not bureau chiefs are eligible.
Any one interested may communi-
cate with J. f. Giles, president, 4O2
Ouray building. or Estelle NJ. Stewart.
chairman OF the organization commit
tee, s33 Southern building.
MEMBER OF STB&AA.
Washington, Feb. rs.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28

TO the Editor OF THE TINES.
II, as seems probable, the Borland
rider is the result of overzealous ad-
herence to the Administrations re-
trenchment policy, 1t Is as unanswer-
able as 1t is indefensible and abhsrrent
to the sense of justice of the more en-
lightened thinkers of the country.
With a seeming unanimity. Congress
is about to commit itself to drastic
bit of legislation. either without
thought to or with an almost criminal
disregard of a subtle but nevertheless
fundamental injustice.
Congressman Borland alleges another
reason: a challenge TO The credulty
OF his audience. He says the severn
hour day was originally accidental, ana
II other Government workers ana IN
dustrial workers have had an eight
hour day without much protest or revo-
lutionary results, there can be no good
reason why the Government CLERK IN
Washington should not be governed 81
equivalent rules. Granting, which Is
not quite true. that the facts are as
he states them, has the Government or
any body OF citizens successfully ue-
tended the eight-hour day as being
best or most in accord with known
principles OF economies, efficiency. ana
ethics?
Here Is another argument for the
seven-hour day which has not had the
discussion which 1t has merited; The
value OF a Government clerks time Is
not measured entirely by the amount
of work he can accomplish, but 10 a
large extent by the breadth Off vision,
mental poise, and alertness of mind
qualities which insure good Judgment.
From that standpoint a clerks hours
OF work should be so regulated that he
should not be exhausted at the end OF
the day, and should have the time
after work to cultivate these qualities,
which are utilized but not appreciated.
1t Is thought that an eight-hour day
is inimical to such results. G. 4. Nj.
WaahInninn- Eeh 26
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28

work requiring skill. brains. and dis
erection.
Legislation looking to more pay and
half-holidays on Saturday should be en-
acted instead OF making life harder by
lengthening hours merely because Con-
gres5 has the power to do so.
IA II cannot conceive OF how anybody
having intimate knowledge OF the work,
iron rule and inadequate pay OF Gov
eminent clerks, could be In favor OF
creating greater hardships for them as
this amendment would do"
Il. III. Tamplet, State agent for the
Mutual Beneft' Life Insurance Com
pany. said:
think the proposed legislation is bad.
Longer hours means dissatisfied en-
pioyes. Dissatisfied employees mean a
lower degree OF efficiency. II the Gov
eminent Is going to add extra hours to
the Government clerks day. II should
IF any change is going to be made
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Suggests Better Work For Con-
RreSsmen

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
/ have read carefully in your COL
umns the mass of argument and OBJ
and while the ground has been pretty
we'll covered there is one point which
has not as yet received the attention
i believe II deserves.
1t is a well-known fact that the
American statesman Is not, among
the older countries of Europe, held in
very high esteem, either as a states
man proper or as diplomat Our
policy toward Mexico, our treatment
OF the Lusitania question, and our
apparent intention to throw over the
Philippines with our work there only
half done-to mention few of the
more recent happenings-have all
been closely watched and animad-
verted upon by our brothers across
the water.
What will these same "brothers"
think, even those Ga constantly
diminishing number), who still hold
us In kindly tolerance, at the spec
tacle of one OF our Legislative bodies
turning Its almost entire attention, at
a world-critical time like the present.
to such a piece of business as the Bor-
land "riderY
Throughout practically the whole
civilized world these are times that
try mems souls; that demand the
closest study by statesmen of the
tremendous issues involved.
And all that Congress. (our thanks
to Mr.. Borland), can find to do Is TO
spend days In debate over proposed
leEisla ton: iniquitous. IL passed. in
it's crushing effect upon a class hope
lessly unable to defend itself. un-
asked BY department officials who
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Declares Six Hours Enough For Day
of Mental Effort.

To the Editor OF THE TIMES.
The writer is serious in stating II as
his belief. founded on experience ana
observation, that a limit OF six hours
for days work of employees in the
various departments would proye OF
greater advantage to the Government
itself, as we'll as to all others con-
cerned, than even the present seven
hour system.
Overwork and poor pay fail to pro-
duce the best results.
The advocates OF longer hours fail
to discriminate between mental ana
manual labor. The Government DEPART
ments are not run primarily TO give
employment to its messengers, elevator
boys, scrubwomen, and other laborers,
all ciassed as Government clerks" ana
whose services, though necessary and
honorable. are purely subsidiary.
Eight hours may not be too long Tor
such manual labor, but even seven
hours OF continuous application to mem
tai work. even IL possible, cannot pc
other. in the long run, than detri-
mental The quality OF the work ana
the well-being of the worker. one or
both. wilt. suffer.
Take the Treasury as an example
of a department which calls for con-
contratet; ana cxhausting mental work
on the part of Its higher-classed en-
ployes. This Is the largest banking
institution In the world. Much OF the
work is of the most strenuous order,
calling for the closest mental appllca-
ton, which could not be kent up con-
tlnuously ana daily for even Ave hours,
the World ovcr.-.-il''a :. - -,
Outside OF the Treasury Gnd Its
branches, as we'll as included therein,
a large amount of work is carried on.
of a special and semi-judicial cnarac-
ter. for which long hours are uncalled
for. The same reasons for shorter.
rather than longer. hours of work APP
ply to departments engaged in scien-
tific work. w. r. r..
Washington February -.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Calls BOrland Rider "a Steal"

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
When II alleges that Government
clerks are and have been getting salary
for which they have given no equal re-
turn, It lies and insults every clerk.
The vast work of the Government Is
dops and well done by comparatively
smalB body OF employees. II would be a
steal to take one-seventh OF the earn
ings OF the clerks without giving equal
benefits therefor In the way OF IN
crease of salary. 1t would not be so
barefaced a steal II II pretended to give
some return for the increased service
required in the way OF a pension for
the superannuated. as other large en-
ployers of labor do.
GOVERNMENT CLERK.
Va ahIn nLnn Lnh
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Home for Colored Girls
To Be Established Here

Plans are being made for the estab-
lishment OF a home for colored girls.
especially for those coming under the at
tention of the Juvenile Court
The matter was considered at a mass
meeting yesterday at the Howard Thea
ter. William Washington presided. and
addresses were made by B. II. Clark,
clerk of the Juvenile Court; Prof.
George w. Cook and Prof. Kelly Miller.
of Howard University.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Commuter Says Economy Should Be
Started ut Capitol.

To the Editor OF The Times:
II is stated by Mr.. Borland. II he Is
quoted correctly. that Government en-
ployes everywhere else except WASH
ington work eight hours a day. IL II is
true that he makes any such state
ment. 1t shows that he has not taken
the trouble to inform himself on the
subject.
In some branches OF the Federal
service the employees work eight hours,
as Mr.. Borland states, but he Is careful
to neglect to state that they are also
paid for eight hours. But leaving out
OF the argument the question of
whether they do or do not work more
for that matter In every other place
except Washington. the fact remains
that these employees In Washington OBJ
tanned their positions on the assump-
ton and understanding based on the
present law and past experience that
seven hours constituted a days work.
Is IL fair or honorable to add on an
other hour to the working uay Qeaving
out the question OF increasing the
hours without increasing the compen-
sationD. and by so doing disarrange the
AFFAIRS and work unnecessary hardships
on thousands who have to use the rail-
roads In coming to and going from their
work? The writer is taking the COM
muters viewpoint, although the resi-
dent Of Washington will also be Just as
seriously inconvenienced, no doubt.
When these gentlemen like Mr.. Bor-
land ana other Congressman support
ing him, leave on trying TO economize
for the Government at the Government
clerks expense. until after they have
done some retrenchment on their own
accounts both in matter OF restoring
their salaries to the figures OF a few
years ago. and have cut out their al.
lowance Tor at least reduced to an ac-
curate basisl for mileage, and at the
same time cut out the perennial farce
comedy with relation thereto. we shall
begin to have some faith In their sin.
certify BALTIMOREAN
Baltimore February a7
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Washingtonians' Attacks on "Rider'" Adding Hour
to Day of Government Clerk-Many Contradict
Statements Made by Author of Measure in
Defending His Plan

should. and would be the FIRST to
sense its necessity. II necessity there
were. and founded solely upon fan
tastic theory of economy based on
insufficient knowledge, or an even
more indefensible desire for personal
notoriety.
There is very real work at hand for
our statesmen. We are facing daily
a crisis that may lead. possibly, even
to war itself; a crisis in which. at
the best, we shall do we'll to preserve
the respect of our world-brothers
and our national dignity.
This Is our time of danger and of
travail, and, verify, II would seem
for us, Indeed, that the mountain Is
to bring forth mousel II. @. b.
Washington, Feb. 81.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Letters To The Times Protesting against Boand Amendment

pendent upon the newspapers, the Fed
Grafton of Labor. and citizens outside
of the Government service Interested
In social betterment and uplift.
Our business men can have little
weight. as they seem to be held In the
same contempt as We are by Mr.. Bor-
land. from whom, after reading his
biographical sketch In the Congressional
Directory, the charge of self-interest
seems to me to come with poor grace,
inasmuch as II appears that his life
the personal interests OF William Pat
terson Borland. II he has performed
any services for his fellow man he has
either been too modest to mention the
fact or he considers II OF no import
ance.
JERE CONNOLLY.
Waahlnnfnn EnhriInr,r %
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
Would Unset CapitaL

Walter ii. Klopfer. special representa-
tive OF the Mutual Life Insurance. Com
pany OF New York. and who is treaslr-
err OF the Washington Board OF Trade.
said:
An extension of one hour In the de-
partments would mean complete dis
arrangement OF the business and private
life OF the majority OF the citizens OF
the District. The railroads, stores,
schools. suburban residents, students,
and many other lines OF endeavor would
receive a serious setback.
What corporation ever has been
known to undertake such radical In
justice? Employers in all branches OF
business. when hours OF work are
heightened. also increase pay. Is the
Government to become a monopoly
seeking more work from the clerks
without Just and adequate compensa-
ton? The Government clerks as a
whole are industrious. conscientious
and intelligent. performing importan,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28

in the status of the Government clerk.
II should be in the other dir9ction,I
said ID. Fulton Harris, of the New Eng
land Mutual Life Insurance Company.
as II is, and hours should be Shortened
rather than heightened"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28
A Comment on Borland's Charge Of
Self-interest Against Government
CIarka

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
Responding to your generous invita-
ton to Government clerks to express
their views ON the Rorland rider"
can think Of nothing better than to
state that OF ourselves We Government
clerks are utterly helpless and de-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-28

years when living expenses everywhere
have increased so tremendously and
when Congress has raised the salaries
of Its own members. II does seem as IL
the time had come for some recognition
of the Government workers, officials,
chiefs. scientific, and professional men,
clerks. and messengers. most OF whom
are working for Uncle Sam at an actual
sacrifice of income
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-03-08

WHO'LL DESIGN MRS. CT
GIRLS! A CONTES'
Girls!
Do you wish you knew the sort OF
gown Mrs. Vernon Castle, THE
BEST-DRESSED WOMAN IN
AMERICA, will bedeck herself in
Easter Sunday?
And do YOU wish YOU could have
one like it?
Well, you can have both wishes
granted if you want to.
Some American girl-PERHAPS
YOURSELF going to design Mrs.
Castles Easter gown, and, as a re-
ward, she is going to be given a gown
EXACTLY LIKE IT TO WEAR EAS-
TER SUNDAY!
Mrs. Castle has created more
modes for American women than any
other person ever born this side of
Paris. The present wide skirt is her
innovation. This Easter she wants
something different.
so SHE HAS DECIDED TO ASK
THE GIRLS OF ALL AMERICA TO
DESIGN IT!
Each big city in the country is to
be represented in this contest. The
Day Book will conduct the contest
for Chicago. Our winning design will
be selected by a jury of expert de-
signers and then entered in the ma
tionaI contest, the judge of which will
be the Fashion Art League of Amer
lea, which now furnishes the fashions
appearing in The Day Book.
There will be but one national win
ner to receive the Easter gown, but
To each of the two local people
submitting the best designs to The
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-03-08

+! JUST FOR YOU!
Day Book we will give an Easter bon
net, which must not cost more than
$40.
THIS is REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER THE DESIGN WINS
THE NATIONAL PRIZE.
Herewith is a dummy figure of Mrs.
Castle, on which to draw your de-
sign. We will print three more of
these figures on the three succeeding
days of this week, presenting various
poses.
You may choose any one of these
figures upon which to draw your
mOdel-OT all of them. There is no
limit to the number of designs you
may submit, so long as you use the
dummies printed in The Day Book.
Get this: Taste and ideas count
more than mechanical drawing abiI-
ity.
Send in your sketch with the ac-
cOmpanying coupon properly filled in,
and add your telephone number if
you have one.
CONTEST CLOSES MARCH 25.
The winning gown will be chosen
and made up in time for Mrs. Castle
and the winner both to appear in
them Easter Sunday.
Say, girls, isn't this a bigger and
better stunt than our Easter Bonnet
Contest last spring? And wasn't that
lot of fun? Well, get busy and send
in your designs. And, remember,
Mrs. Castle wears mighty fine and
expensive gowns.
Send all designs to The Fashion
Editor, The Day Book, 500 South
Peoria Street, Chicago, Ill.