The Washington times., 1916-03-22
DIGGER or GRAVES
TELLS OF STRUGGLES
Continued from First Pase.)

Continued from First Page)
strength left for gardening after dig
sink In that lard clay"
AS he glanced alphabetically at his
shoes and muddy clothes. he added:
Those Arlington graves are hard
graves. In winter they are es-
pecially hard. Ihave heen up TO my
knees In mud and water MANY a
time. We had Ave graves to Civ over
there today and look how It Is rain
God knows. IL II were not for the
wife taking in a little sewing how
we would live.
II have been there eight years, and
whenever / ask for a raise ] am told,
Well. you know what YOU can do II
you don't like IT.
Lump Appropriation.
An examination OF the estimete for
Arlington and other national ceme-
teries for the ensuing fiscal year
shows that there Is a lump sum ap-
preparation for the laborers and caro-
takers, These same estimates show
that in these institutions there are
employed lahorcrs who get as little
az sac month.
The estimates call for laborers at So
a month: 30 Mt SIS; is at $40; at ti6;
The highest paid iaborer. II appears, re-
ceives $3.50 per day, and there are only
two OF this class. Two more get 81 q
day.
ed under the direction OF the War De-
partment, which has supervision over
all national cemeteries.
The sundry civil appropriation bill
which VIII carry this appropriation. also
is expected to carry 100000 for continu-
ms the work on a $4,000 ampitheater
at Arlington.
Asks Sum of 5000.
The sum of $50. 900 Is asked to con-
tinue the work of getting headstoneA
for the graves OF soldiers and $4,000
is asked for the repair OF roads In
the cemeteries.
After the hearing today Congress
man Nolan said he marveled at the
fact that a nation which spends one
billion dollars year should have
men on its payrolls that are support
ing a family OF four on $40 n month.
The grave-digger who. came before
under-paid employees of the Airing
ton Cemetery. A committee had pre-
viously hled petition with the labor
subcommittee. but the testimony OF
easily the most affecting incident OF
the present series of hearings.
The Labor subcommittee heard briefly
several other witnesses today. All OF
tnem supported the Nolhn Dill, wnlCn
would provide a minimum wage In all
Government departments and indus
tries.
a. w. Dawson. a Waterman In the
Treasury Department, told how lmpos-
sible II IL for him TO live on $40 a year
His expenses. he said, averaged about
$1,000, and he had received assistance
from friends In West Virginia. He said
he had spent for pleasure" only Slo3:
last year.
Lives on $720 a Year.
Stanton W.. Algate. employed at $40 In
the Government Printing Office. said h.
could barely subsist on such a salary
and Martin w. Gansberg. a watchmar
of the Smithsonian Institution, and
Fenwick Bush, OF the Government Print
ing Office. related the difficulties Of
underpaid employees.
1t Is probable that before the hearings
close the chief clerks of various Gov,
eminent departments will be asked L
testify and information will be sought
particularly concerning the number Of
Government employees who work for les,
than 50 a day.
What II Cost One.
George w. Dawson. who appeared
before the committee for the sub
clerical force of the Treasury. MADE
q statement as to the high cost oil
living in Washington,
He presents the following table
showing what II cost him to live IN
NVaahinuton laat veur.