davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26

eminent clerk who Is familiar with the
conditions under which many govern
ment employees live in Washington, 1t
gress has failed to provide for in
creases in pay to Keep pace with the
Increase in the cost of living, many
employees are obliged to do extra work
in order to make ends meet
In connection with the discussion of
the Borland rider to the legislative
executive and judicial appropriation
bill now pending in Congress, which
seeks to add an hours work each day TO
the hours of the employees. this govern
ment clerk points out that the hour
the rider seeks to take from the en-
ployes is, in many cases. badly needed
for homework by those who cannot
afford to employ servants. Other points
of interest are brought oGt in the
statement. which is in part as follows:
The effect of such legislation would
be to deprive the clerks of the time
many require to supplement their slim
salaries by making efforts outside the
office to attend school after office hours
to fit themselves for better paying po-
sitions or to do homework to keep up
their homes. Because of neglect to
raise salaries of clerks to meet in
creased cost of living many of them
are compelled to work during leisure
hours to come out even. The writer
knows of women in the government
service who find it necessary to run
boarding houses and do other kinds of
work to make ends meet: of young men
who work in stores and serve as DIS
pensers at soda fountains. on account
of high rentals in Washington many
single women and men without fam
lilies who find living in boarding houses
Objectionable are compelled to 60 their
own housework, requiring from two TO
three hours a day of their spare time.
The injustice of increasing the hours
could be no greater than II the SAL
aries were reduced.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26

appropriations bill was mot a progress
sive step, but step in retrogressfon,'
Representative Hamill of New Jersey,
author Of the only civil service retire
ment bill that has received serious con-
sideration in the last three years, yes
terday in the House attacked the rider
to the bill which would increase the
working hours of government clerks
from seven to eight. In ten
minute speech Representative Hamill
called attention to the fact that while
private employees and large corpora
lions are working toward shorter hours
Borland rider contemplates longer
hours than those provided by the pres
ent law. with compensation stationary
at the rate fixed fifty nine years ago.
Representative Hamlls opportunity
arose from the fact that the post office
sidetracked and the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial bill was called up
for consideration. In his speech the
New Jersey representative said:
Holds Rider Is Unwise.
Mr. Chairman. ] did not think this
bill would be brought into the House
so unexpectedly. The consideration of
it was to have been deferred until after
the post Office bill had been disposed of.
There is, however. a provision In it
which should be carefully considered
and discussed in the general debate in
order that the members Of the House
may understand it thoroughly before
the whole measure is taken up section
by section. l refer to the clause which
extends the hours of labor for clerks
in the departments in Washington. 1
think a little consideration of the mat
ter will bring US irresistibly to the con-
cluson that the provision making the
working day eight hours instead Of
seven as ed by present law, is I'M
wise and should not have been included
in the bill. Since it has been included.
the next best thing to do is to eliminate
it by adverse vote when the bill is be-
ing considered section by section.
1T is true that the clerks of the de-
partments in Washington work seven
hours and that other classes of govern
ment employees work eight hours day.
We must, however, remember that these
men who work seven hours are en-
gagged in performing duties which are
confirming and which require intense
application Consider that these men
are continually under the eyes of Con-
gress. They are alert and industrious
and are constantly at the call of the
members of the House and Senate.
They put in seven hours of solid, faith
full and conscientious labor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
Often Work Overtime.

Moreover, the clerks have certain
amount of work to do and they con-
tinue at it until it is finished. Some
times they work more than seven hours
a day. 1 have heard that during the
Mexican trouble the clerks in the War
and Navy departments were engaged
day and night in discharging each days
duties, and they worked cheerfully and
effectively.
This provision is not progressive
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
Experience in One Department.

Again. it is a question whether ex-
ira work could be obtained by stretch
ing the hours of labor, in view Of the
fact that most of the clerks are work
ed at full capacity. In one bureau
where the work has been advancing
by leaps and bounds. and that has
been earning the government for many
years handsome profit of more than
a hundred thousand dollars annually,
the Office force has not been increased
to cope with the work or to serve the
public satisfactorily.
THE public clamors in vain for
quicker service, and court cases must
be adjourned and other inconvenience
and loss endured because of the large
amount of work on hand and the short
ness of the office force. Many in this
office are compelled to take advantage
of the sick leave allowed because of
the exhausting nature of the work and
the efforts to cope with it. There are
no dull seasons which afford opportu-
nifty for Stacking speed and resting up
Forces working seven hours a day
where continual close attention and
persistent effort must be put forth to
cope with the work accomplish more
than forces working eight or nine
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
bORLAND RIDER
HAS0PPOS|T|ON
Of LABOR BODY
CONTINUED from First Page.)
the best interests of our people and
our republic.
by order Of the executive council OF
the American Federation of Labor
Mr.. BorIand States Fully
His Position Regarding
8-Hour Day for Clerks

Representative Borland, author of
the eight provision in the pend
ing legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation BILL today sent to Pres
ident Samuel Gompers of the American
Federation of Labor a letter asking
that the executive committee of the
labor body reconsider it's action in OPP
position to the Borland proviso.
The letter states Mr.. Borlands posi-
ton in full, and is as follows:
Il have your letter of the 18th m
slant in regard to the amendment to
the legislative. executive and judicial
appropriation bill of 1917. equalizing
the hours of labor of government en-
ployes, and am naturally surprised
that any formal action was taken by
your executive committee. AS | see it,
the proviSio'. does not affect the rights
of labor generally except so far as the
rights of labor are identical with the
rights of all other taxpayers of the
nation.
The statements in your letter are
SO general that i and all other friends
of labor can heartily concur in most, if
not all, of them without being led to
a conclusion that a discrimination
should be made between federal en-
ployes in respect to their hours of la
Dor. The facts of the situation are
these:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
Eight-Hour Provision Held
a "Step in Retrogression''
by Representative HamilI

Declaring that the proposition in
Representative Borland's provision in
the legislative, executive and judicial
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
Government Clerks CIassed
as Real American Patriots
by Assistant Treasury Chief

The real patriots of the country are
the federal employees in the executive
departments" in the opinion Of Byron
r. Newton, assistant secretary of the
Treasury. They are the bulwarks of
honest government" is another express
sion of his appreciation of their serv-
ices
In commenting on the conditions of
public service, which the Borland
amendment for a minimum eight hour
day for government employees proposes
to make more onerous, Assistant Secre-
tary Newton points out the inequalities
of public service. He refers to federal
employees in the legislative service, who
receive big pay and do little work. The
present legislative, executive and judi
ciary appropriation bill, to which the
Borland amendment is tackled, in
enumerating the salaries paid to en-
ment makes a showing greatly to the
advantage of the man who serves Con-
gress in similar capacities.
Blocks Way of CRATER
The government clerk in the ex-
ecutive branch Of the service, in the
opinion of Assistant Secretary Newton,
performs the limit Of work asked of
the government in every possible way,
and is check on waste of public
money in national expenditure He
stands between the federal Treasury
and the CRATER and those who would
milk the national cow
Il don't care to express any opinion"
he said. 'as to the proposition to make
a minimum eight-hour day for all gov
eminent employees. But, saying what
L think of the government clerk, my
observation has been that the real pa
triots of the country are the federal
employees in the executive departments.
Those of them who are carrying real
responsibilities are working more than
eight hours all the year round. These
men ana women are working consci-
entously and faithfully, year In and
year out. for the best interest of the
government, and always striving to
prevent waste and extravaganza.
There are. of course, inequities in
the public service. There are, for in
stance. many clerks of congressional
committees who receive very large sal
aries for very little work"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
Difference in Hours of Clerks.

CLERKS in certain government depart
ments in the city of Washington are
required to work but seven hours a day.
while the employees of other depart
ments in Washington are required to
work on a schedule OF eight hours a
day. When l first came to Congress in
1909 the employees in the government
service in the great post offices
throughout the country and in other
government institut ions We're working
nine ten and eleven hours a day in
many instances. After much agitation
and a spirited fight we secured an
eight-hour day for employees in the
postal service throughout the country.
This was considered a notable victory
and an acknowledgment of the principle
of organized labor that eight hours was
q normal days work.
AT this time men in the classified
service in certain departments in Wash
ington were working on the seven hour
schedule, which was the lingering
remnant of the old days before the
civil service came into existence when
the employees in Washington were po-
litical appointees governed largely by
favoritism. Years ago the employees in
Washington worked only six hours
day. Gradually this was extended at
various times and in various depart
ments to six and half, seven, seven
and half and eight hours.
Thus. while the tendency throughout
II
of labor to the normal day of eight
hours, the tendency in Washington was
to increase the hours of service to the
same normal standard schedule-upon
the principle of equality and justice
among men in the same grade of en-
ployment. The fight for an eight-hour
day was a glorious fight. and greatly
to the credit of organized labor. 1t
was made upon a high principle. that
principle being that eight hours is the
normal schedule for productive labor,
and that every man is entitled to eight
hours for rest and eight hours for So
clal Improvement, ana having these he
is in fit condition for eight hours of
efficient service.
arguments and opinions could be
quoted at length by me from labor
leaders and economists to the effect
that eight hours is the proper and nor
NAL schedule. and i have no doubt
that l could quote opinions of your
own in many instances to the same
effect. There is no intention, there
fore. to increase the hours of labor of
government employees beyond the rec
teriorate in any way their health or
social condition,
THE whole tendency of legislation has
been in the direction of the protection of
the life, health and social opportunities
OF the average citizen. and l could point
10 a number of instances during my own
service in Congress where the humanita-
r1an principle was advanced, | am happy
to say. always with my vote a.iti support
For this purpose. however, it is only nee
essary to point out the law Of .Juna 49,
1912. limiting to eight hours the work of
laborers and mechanics employed in work
done for the United States, and the act
OF March 3, 1913, providing an eight hour
day for laborers and mechanics on tn.
public work of the District Of Columbia
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26

reaus, divisions and offices Of the gov
eminent the average work dav of every
clerk will be more than eight hours.
Especially is this true of man clerks.
Any change in the existing conditions
would affect the unpensioned aged en-
p1Oye.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26
Some Clerks Are Obliged
to Do Extra Work During
Hours Away From Office
In statement made TODAY by gov

In a statement made today, by a gov
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
CRITICS OF EAST PRAISE ORCHES.
IRA

1t is interesting to note the unanim-
ity with which the leading critics and
musicians of the east have accorded
to the Minneapolis Symphony orches-
ira it's position as one of the two or
three greatest orchestra in the Coun-
try. In speaking Of this orchestra
which comes for the May festival. May
II and u. at the Davenport coliseum
under the auspices of the Tri-City
Musical association, Charles H. MeltZer,
considered by many the most able
critic in New York, wrote as follows:
at is safe to say that with the ex-
ception of the great Bostonian organ
ization founded by Colonel Higginson,
no body of musicians in this country
which devotes itself to symphony, has
eXcelled the Minneapolis society But
for local pride I might be tempted to
add-none has equaled it" The Musi-
cal Courier said editorially, Let it be
said at once that the visit of the Min
neapOlis symphony orchestra has full
filled the Musical Couriers prophecy,
for We have today in New York no
playing body and no leader on a par
with the Northwestern organization
and its conductor.
During the past five years no Or
chestra in the country has Travelled
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
UNDER FLAG SUPPER BIG
Success.

The ladies of the Memorial Chris
tan church conducted very success
full Under the Flag" supper last even
ing in the church social rooms. Six
booths representing America, Eng
land, France, Sweden. Germany and
Japan were decorated with emblems
and flags of the respective countries,
the ladies serving in each being
dressed in the costumes Of the coun-
tries and they served a national dish
characteristic of the country repre-
sented. During the evening many
guests were entertained and close to
$50 will be realized. An informal pro-
gram was given with readings by Mrs.
Nelson, Miss Margaret Underhill, and
music by Miss Edith Fricke, Miss
Marie Smith and Miss Cora Graves.
The regular meeting of the Ladies
Aid society will be held next Thursday
in the home of Mrs. Ira Smith, 915
Fourth avenue.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01

inounced to be played by Signor Crate
forio proved to be piano number by
Richard Tabor; recitation by Little
Edith Jones was a reading by MILFORD
Hoffman, all six feet tall; patriotic
address by General Wynhart was a
song, a Cunning Papoose," by the
primary class; latest reports
from the Mexican border, by one who
knows was lullaby sung to her doll
by three year-old Katherine Swallow
with Leona Gavin at the piano The
closing number by chorus of so
trained voices was a selection by
Charles Motz, John kittilsen, Ethel
bert Rush, Lloyd McDermott, Robert
Hoffman, Edward Caulpetzer and Will
ford Hoffman. Mr.. Caulpetzer gave
the few fitting welcoming words
Ice cream and cake were served after
the program.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
SOCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The Ladies' Aid society of the Rock
Island County Humane society will
meet Monday afternoon with Mrs. Belle
Jones, 1901 Seventeenth avenue. La
dies interested in humane work are
invited to attend.
The study department of the Rock
Island Woman's club will meet at 2::3O
Monday afternoon in the parlors of
the Masonic temple Mrs. E. o. Vale,
Jr., and Mrs. n. p Tucker will be in
charge OF the program which is study
of George Bernard Shaw, the former
telling of his work as a dramatist and
the latter his biography.
A meeting of the executive commit
tee of the Missionary Union of the city
will be held at 2:;3O Tuesday after
noon in the Y. M. c. A. The committee
is composed of officers of the society
and presidents of the various mis-
sionary societies affiliated with the
organization.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
PRESBYTERIAL CONFERENCE AT
ALEDO.

One hundred or more ministers and
prominent lay men and women church
workers will be in Aledo April 10 and
II to attend the semi-annual confer
ence of the Rock River Presbytery of
the Presbyterian church, and the Wom-
ems Presbyterial society for home and
foreign missions.
An unusual feature of the meeting
will be the reception into the ministry
of three young men who have been or
are residents of Mercer county. They
are Clyde Heflin of Viola, Harry Lee
Smith. formerly of William and Vashti,
and Roger Sillers of Keithsburg. All
three have studied at Mccormick The
illogical seminary. Chicago. The young
men will be examined as 10 their fit
ness TO enter the ministry ON the first
day of the Presbytery, and will be pub
icly ordained that evening.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01

husband and try to be as lOvable as
you were before he married you. Make
yourself as interesting and attractive
as you can and he will lose interest
in other women.
% Marriage is not the thing to be
trifed with that you seem to think it
is. If you divorce your husband stay
single until you are old enough to
realize what true love is and until
you can do your share and more if
needs be to make marriage a success
go No. You do not love him very
seriously or you would not have given
him up in the first place.
"a 1t would not be all right. If
you deserve the respect of your child
when she is older you must be abso-
lutely true to your husband whether
or not he is true to you. Have an
understanding with him; let him know
that you are dissatisfied and find out
why he seems dissatisfied with you.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: % How can
| get acquainted with nice boys and
girls?
90 | met a handsome fellow and
love him dearly. How can l get &C
quainted with him?
(3l If l walk along the street and
strange fellow calls after me to
wait for him should | wait?
UNHAPPY.
u Go to church and ask the min
lister TO introduce you
~ There is nothing you can do TO
get acquainted, If he cares for you,
however, he will find someone to in
troduce you.
49, No. Ignore him.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: Please tell
me whether 1t is necessary to have
individual salt and pepper shakers
and individual sugar and creamers for
each cover at an informal dinner. II
not, how many should there be at a
table laid for six or eight? f. G.
Two salts, two peppers, one or two
sugar bowls and one or two creamers
would be enough.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
CENTRAL MISSION SOCIETY.

Mrs W n Phillips at her home,
100 Fourteenth-a nda-half street, yes
terdav afternoon acted as the hostess
at the monthly session of the Woman 8
Missionary society of Central Presby-
terrain church Mrs Edward Ziegler,
the president, conducted the devotion
al services and was in charge of the
lesson and program, which was a
study of Japan as the foreign topic
and the immigrant as the home topic.
Mrs. Ziegler and Mrs. James Dickson
were chosen delegates to the Presby-
terial Mission society conference at
Aledo April Ill. Refreshments were
served at the close of the afternoon.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
SOCIABLE EIGHT WITH MRS. HAN.
SEN

The Sociable Eight 500 club was en-
tertained in the home of Mrs. John
Hansen, 102715 Thirtieth street, yes
terday afternoon The two prizes in
the games of 500 were given to Mrs.
Skinner and Mrs Mary Hall. Refresh
ments were served at the conclusion Of
the games. The club will be enter
tanned by Mrs. Fannie Larson in Milan
in two weeks from yesterday.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
BROADWAY MISSION SOCIETY.

Broadway Woman's Missionary soci-
ETY. was entertained at the monthly
session yesterday afternoon in the
home of Mrs. c. 0. Woodruff, SIS
Twenty-third street. Mrs. H. f. Cur
It's conducted the devotional service
and Mrs. B. E. Robb and the foreign
mission topic, Japan" Mrs. Ella
Read gave the current events review.
The outline of the years work was
submitted and adopted and will be is
sued through the year book.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
SOCIAL EVENTS

more extensively and the success OF
the orchestra and its remarkable con-
ductor, Emil Oberhoffer has been lit
tie less than sensational" Tickets to
the three concerts will be handled in
Rock Island by Miss Catherine Helm
beck. Miss Katherine Gest, A. J. Bur-
ton, Mrs f. NJ. Sala, j. Victor Berg
quist, Miss Lille Cervin and E. W.
Olson and at the Ramser jewelry store.
The course tickets for $3.50 for the
three concerts are the only ones being
sold now, no tickets for individual con-
certs being offered until after GER
tain number of course tickets have
been sold. The season ticket is put
at so low figure that it will be cheap
er to buy in this way.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
WEISE.BENNETT,

A wedding that will come as a sur
prise to the friends of the bride in this
city is announced in the marriage of
Miss Gertrude Bennett. daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs Robert Bennett OF S34
Twenty-third street. this city. and Will
liam Wiese, Jr.. son of Mr.. and Mrs.
William Wiese of 921 West Fourth
street, Davenport. The ceremony was
performed at 1880 this morning in the
parsonage of the ST. Johns Methodist
church, Davenport, the pastor, Rev.
Frank Cole, officiating
The bride is a member of one of
we'll known families of the city. She
attended the Villa de Chantal and Au-
gustana college and is we'll known in
the city. Mr.. Wiese is a travelling
salesman.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01
MISS KAISER IN RECITAL,

Miss Marie Kaiser, oratorio soprano,
will be heard in private recital Of
her favorite songs at the Moline high
school auditorium Wednesday evening,
April at Sis. Miss Kaiser will also
sing with an Edison machine as &C
companist, in a recreation of her
voice.