Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-19
2,0O0OND. c. ROLL
GET HALF HOLIDAY
Per Diem Employees Entitled to
It All Year, Controller
Warwick Rules.

All per diem employees and laborers OF
the District Of Columbia who have been
employed for fifteen working days
prior to next preceding Saturday noon
are entitled to Saturday half holiday
with pay throughout the year, according
to decision Of W. W. Warwick, con.
troller Of the Treasury. About 1000
employees are affected by the decision.
The decision of the controller ap.
plies only to per diem employees. and
Commissioner Brownlow stated today
that these employees will get the holi-
day with pay. Mr.. Warwick says the
Commissioners have authority to pre-
scribe the working days for the en-
ployes of the District on Saturday dur
ing the summer or throughout the
year. When asked II tho annual en-.
ployes would get the Saturday half
holiday Mr.. Brownlow said. ASK me
something easy" He said further there
would have to be a conference Of the
board Of Commissioners to decide that
matter.
Commissioners Asked for Decision.
The Commissioners last week asked
the controller OF the Treasury for a
decision as to whether a paragraph in
the last District appropriation act, "All
per diem employees and day laborers OF
the District of Columbia who have been
regularly employed for fifteen working
days next preceding such days as are
legal holidays in the District OF Co
lumbia, and whose employment con-
tinues through and beyond said legal
holiday. shall be granted leave Of abb
yry3th 70 a..
days." was meant to include such en-
ployes for the Saturday half holiday.
In communication to tho Commission
ers today Mr.. Warwick says the pro-
other than per diem employees and day
laborers of the District Of Columbia. The
Commissioners arc advised, further. that
the order Of President Wilson Of June 3
18th of each year. until further notice
four hours exclusive Of time for luncheon
shall constitute a days work on SATURDAYS
for all clerks and other employees Of the
District Of Columbia. wherever employed
subject to such proviso as they may desire
to make with regard to the exception OF
such employees as may be required, FOL
special public reasons, to perform sery;
applies to employees Of the federal govern
ment, but that the board Of Commission
ers has authority to prescribe the number
Of hours that shall constitute days
mer months or throughout the entire year.
provided said action is not in violation
Of and does not conflict with any statutory
provision.
Cannot Be Deprived Of Pay.
In this competition Mr.. Warwick
stated that tho provisions in tho act OF
March 3. 1917, to the effect that GER
tain employees shall be granted leave OF
absence with pay ION all Saturdays
after IL. o'clock noon would preclude
the board Of Commissioners from max
ing any regulations with respect to
hours Of labor which would deprive said
employees Of the right to leave Of ab-
sence with pay on such Saturdays.
II know Of no law that will pre-
clude the board Of Commissioners from
prescribing that four hours shall con-
stitute days work on Saturdays for all
other employees of the District of Colum-
bia who are not affected by the law above
quoted" says Mr.. Warwick.