The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-04-14

Consequent Economic Loss - Con-
gress Has Too Long Neglected the
Interest of Government Employees.
After brief and Ill advised existence
the Borland amendment has been f1t-
tingly inferred At the last minute,
when the legislative and judicial ap-
preparations bill for 1917 was under
consideration by the house committee
on appropriations, Congressman VIII
liam 2. Borland of Missouri offered an
amendment the purpose OF which was
to increase the minimum number of
hours of work of government employ
ees in the District OF Columbia from
seven to eight hours.
Mr. Borland offered the amendment
purely upon his own responsibility and
avowed that his purpose was in the In
terest of economy and efficiency. But
the congressman who proposes to pro-
mote either economy or efficiency by
increasing the hours for clerical work
is In complete variance with the results
of experience In all lines of work. Con-
centration of thought, sustained effort,
accuracy and all the other qualities
that are necessary for clerical work
are secured In the best degree when
the hours of work are short. These
qualities require tension Of nervous
and physical energy. Fatigue resulting
in decreasing efficiency invariably ac-
companies lengthening of hours of
work
greater quantity and better quality
OF work can be accomplished by brain
workers in short hours that permit am
pie time for recuperation. rest. recrea-
ton, leisure and other diversions In
proposing TO lengthen the hours of
work for government employees Mr.
Borland represented spirit OF retro
gression, the spirit Of the old task driv-
ing employer who is willing to grind
his employees lest any particle Of en-
ergy should not be exhausted in the
days work.
Mr.. Borland's proposal runs counter
to u movement whose members have
evolved out Of their own struggles and
experiences the philosophy of shorter
workday. These workers have learned
that shortening the hours of work is
the fundamental step in protection and
betterment.
If Mr.. Borland really desired to fur
ther efficiency and economy In govern
ment work he ought to have recon-
mended a very different policy. He
should have recommended ways and
means for developing initiative for
bringing out the best ability OF all EN-
ployees and for enabling each to do
the work best adapted to his ability
and training. He ought TO have recon-
mended retirement system with pen
sions for those no longer able to render
adequate service to the government
There ought also to be agencies for
adjusting difficulties that arise In the
course of work between clerks and
their chiefs, to provide for discussion Of
conflicting claims and conflicting pur-
poses and to furnish a permanent
means whereby those who are working
can express their ideas and their de-
mands In regard to things that con
cern themselves as well as the service
Efficiency and economy in govern
ment service, as IN all other kinds Of
work, Will result only from organiza
ton organization of the work, organi-
zation of employees, 50 as to bring out
the best that is in them and for the de-
velopment of spirit OF humanity. CO.
operation and democracy. The tend
ency in all government work has been
toward the establishment of q bureau
cratic system and all of the evils and
pernicious effects of d bureaucratic
system. Sooner or later the spirit Of
autocracy that is inherent In such "a
system crusheS out the ambition, the
individuality the spontaneous spirit of
work, that ought to be fostered In all
employees as invaluable for the attain
ment Of highest efficiency.
The attack upon their best interests
and their rights aroused the govern
ment clerks TO protest. When they
manifested q desire. TO do something
for their own protection a mass meet
ing was called and formal protest made
against the Borland amendment. In
this meeting the way for securing per-
manent betterment and protection of
government employees was discussed.
Government employees present mani
tested their desire and determination
to organize and to affiliate themselves
to the American Federation of Labor.
Their action was in recognition of their
need and in recognition Of the fact that
there had been but one agency to
which they could turn in time Of dan
ger, an agency that proved Itself an
effective source Of help.
1t was the power and the influence of
the American Federation of Labor that
defeated the Borland amendment. To
prevent recurrence OF future Borland
amendments and of similar dangers
the course indicated by common sense
Is the promotion of such organization
by government employees as to afford
them protection.
The government. particularly a re-
publican government. ought to estab-
lish relations with It's employees that
are in accord with the best concepts Of
human welfare and that assure justice
and human rights. The government OF
the United States oughtt to be the model
employer American Federationist.