The Washington herald., 1916-12-19
SENATORS STUDYING
PAY RAISE PROBLEM
Wadsworth, Smith and Kirby Sympa-
thetic- Williams for Readiustment.

Increasing attention Is being giyen the
subject of higher salaries for employees of
the Federal government by members OF
the Senate and 1t was apparent yesterday
that some measure of relief will be grant
ed when the matter Is formally brought
up.
Practically all the Senators agree thar
some revision Of salaries is necessary but
there Is a wide divergence Of opinion as
to the best means of adjusting the scale,
While minimum standard for the work.
ers In lower grades seems to find CON-
siderable favor, the majority Of Senators
who have given the matter consideration
are in favor Of q complete revision of
the government payrolls
Senator Wadsworth, of New York IA
vors increased salaries, but believes it
best to distribute them to benefit the
whole body Of workers; Senator Kirby. of
Arkansas, has cast his lot with the sd.
vocates Of a better wage; Senator Hoke
Smith, Of Georgia. favors an increase
under certain conditions, and Senator
John Sharpe Williams believes a complete
revision Of the payrolls necessary.
Wadsworth Reserves judgement.
'Ts believe the government employes
SHOULD receive more compensation for
their services" said Senator wadswortn
yesterday, but I am not prepared Just
at this moment to advocate any of the
bills which have been introduced in the
House or to say just how far I would
go in the matter. The question of the
amount needed for the increases will be
a big consideration with me, for there
are so many drains on the national treas
ury at this time that the availability of
funds must be a guiding factor In deter
mining the action Of Congress.
while the provisions Of the Nolan bill,
as explained to me, appear to I'LL one of
the needs, I would not go ON uptrecord as
establishing minimum wage, for, while
believe the employees in the lower
grades are insufiiciently paid to cope with
the higher cost Of living, I know there
are others receiving larger pay who arc
just as deserving Of increases. And. be-
sides, once establish a minimum wage
and It will stand for all time; no matter
how much the cost Of living may de-
crease In the next few years, the mini
mum wage still would be in force.
"Unquestionably the increase In the
cost of living has reached a point where
it vitality affects the man working on a
salary, and I understand that MANY of
the salaries received by government en-
ployes today were fixed to meet condi-
tions as they were years ago. Some rem
edy Is necessary, but In applying it do
should be discriFinated against, because
existing conditions affect the 800 a wear
man just as much as the $500 year man.
when the matter Is brought up in the
Senate I will have better Opportunity
of studying the question and will be able
to say definitely just what stand 7 will
take. For the present will declare NV
self in favor Of increased salaries in a
form that will grant relief to those who
are now greatly underpaid."
Senator Kirby, while thoroughly in.
sympathy with the movement for in
creased pay. declared he was not SUM
GENTLY familiar with conditions to sug-
gest a remedy. v
Being more or less new to conditions
here" said Senator Kirby. 'I am not in
a position to 20 too far In discussing the
matter. But 1 am certain that a great
many government employees are not re-
eeiying compensation commensurate with
their duties. believe that some meas
ure Of relief should be afforded them, ana
am willing to do my share TO see that
every government empIoye gets paid
adequately for the work he performs,
My present plan Is to do a deal, of, OBJ
serving and ind out exactly what condi-
tons are, before committing myself to
any particular measure of relief. When
I am completely informed on the CUB