The Washington herald., 1916-12-16
SENATORS Line UP IN
fight FOR EMPLOYEES
Members of Upper House of Congress
See Imperative Need of Increases.

While the Senate these days Is concen-
trating most Of its energies to considera-
tion Of prohibition and suffrage, a large
percentage OF the members are anticipat-
ing the receipt Of legislation from the
House for increasing the salaries Of gov
eminent employees. Senators~Who knew
little or nothing Of conditions among the
Federal employees and the steps proposed
for their aid a month ago, today are
not only conversant with the facts
brought out In the campaign Of The
Washington Herald by the House COM
mittee, but are making a deep study of
the problem with a view to taking intel
hgent action when the upper chamber
tackles the problem.
Senators are almost a unit in believing
revision Of the salaries paid govern
ment employees Is necessary, but there is
some difference of opinion as to the best
means Of accomplishing this end. The
Nolan bill. providing for . minimum
wage OF % a day for all employees or pay
nent on a S-a-day-scale for those en-
ployes working only part OF each day, Is
the measure which so Tar seems to have
commended itself most strongly to Sem
ators who have investigated the matter.
The Byrns proposal also meets with the
CaA Rely on Shields.
Senator Shields, Of Tennessee, Is one Of
the members In the Upper House upon
whom advocates of increased pay for gov
srnment employees can rely to the utmost
when the Senate reaches consideration
OF the matter. While Senator Shields has
as yet reached no decision as to just what
should be done, he indicated yesterday
that any measure calling for q fair and
equitable adjustment Of salaries would
have his support
Il am firmly convinced that the
majority of government employees are
not Investigated the matter fully and am
net conversant with all the remedial
legislation offered, but am led to believe
that the Nolan bill or a similar measure
will have my hearty support.
The recent disclosures anent the
higher cost of living make 1t apparent
that wages based on the exigencies of
another period cannot be fair or just and
that the example set by big corporations
must be followed by the United States
government
What I am told about the wages paid
charwomen and other workers who get
paid by the hour convinces me that some
thing is radically wrong with the system
and that some steps must be taken at
once to remedy it."
Senator Weeks Friendly.
Senator Weeks will be found on the
side OF increased salaries when the ques-
tiOn is threshed out. While declining to
go inSo details. Senator Weeks said
yesterday that he was convinced many
of the government employees were under
paid.
You will find me in favor Of a COM
pTehensive revision of government
salaries declared Senator Weeks. ~
I'M not sufficiently familiar with the
natter at the present time to say just
what steps 1 would advocate, but feel
certain some steps should be taken to ,
meet the increased cost of living"
Senator LaFollette already has e1-
pressed himself in vigorous terms regard
ing the matter OF increased pay for gov
eminent clerks and Senator Underwood
is firmly convinced that some revision of
salaries is necessary in the near future.
Senator Underwood indicated that he
would study the matter extensively be-
fore making any recommendations.
But you may say that l favor in
creased salaries for many OF the govern
ment employees" he added.
Senator Pomerene. Of Ohio. is sure that
some action should be taken to alleviate
the struggle of the government clerks.
He says the revision of salaries should
be taken up.
Senator Chamberlain and Senator
Smith. of Maryland, are in favor of in
creased salaries. and when the matter Is
taken up in the Senate, it is believed
likely the former will be instrumental in
getting consideration for one of the
remedial measures