The Washington times., 1917-09-15
Saturday Half-HOlidays
The Principle AYear Round Holiday Should Be Accepted
Cabinet OaReers With Arrangements for Emergeney
Work-Emeeney Requires II.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

At first glance the petition Of the Federal Employees Union
for Saturday hat-holday ayear around seems great
deal to ask while the but the request is really in the
direction of efficiency close study of the question win
show.
The movement indeed originated long before the war be-
gan the United States Government being urged to follow the
example of many big corporations and employers who have
found that the enthusiasm and interest of their employees
the work in hand influenced greatly by the complete rest
which possible from Saturday until Monday morning
To put such plan into operation during the war; Of
course involves limitation in the interest Of the employer for
just the responsibility all branches Of the Govern
ment engaged in prosecuting the the gavest kind Of
duty that the nation has ever imposed There ought be
way however by which 1t would be possible keep at their
the isnatch of urgent business No doubt system of extra
pay could be devised which would stimulate those who
selected for overtime work But cases like these would be the
departments of bureaus well afford to give their
employees hahhoday Saturday all the around with
out the slightest disarrangement Of office work 1t isn't
very encouraging thing for Government clerk to the
chief Of his bureau take Saturday afternoon for himself prac
calH at w leaving behind dozens Of assistants to while
away the afternoon routine that could be disposed the
following Monday earlier Saturday work sped
up somewhat The fact is that during the entire summer
while the has been the Government departments
released the majority Of their employees Saturday afternoon
employees naturally feel that the same can be done during
the Cabinet officers fear that the months ahead will
bring much harder tasks than the months that have passed
they could at least express themselves in favor Of the principle
Of Saturday hakholday all year around the limitations
Enove Union = The o for the Govsumsn u urs
viii not hesitate to enter into any arrangement which viii
safeguard the interests Of the Government in time like the
present but it must not be forgotten that the
ayearround holiday Saturdays began in time Of peace
and the argument that has heretofore made
the greater efficiency to be obtained applies in greater
degree during such emergency If the Federal EN-
py Union could be assured of acceptance the principle
involved they would be earning something well deserved for
limitations imposed during the the rules
could be made flexible that the Government would lose
by the arrangement Thousands of clerks could then look
forward with deniteness to Saturday hahoday, not
merely in the summer but in the winter months when there
be not much opportunity for outdoor sports but when
it is equally important that those who apply themselves
energecaly during the previous days Of the week win find
time for mental recreation and physical the weekend
And unfortunately the request is not granted it would
of be dsconcerng to thousands Of clerks
kept at their work Saturday afternoons while Cabinet Of
bureau chiefs attended matnes No high
official ought to ask any subordinate to do what he himself
would not do Clerks very often concentrate upon their work
with much energy and zeal their superior oicers-and
they get just tired and fagued Let the principle of Saur
hahodays all year around be accepted by the Govern
men and may its application during the present emergency
Justly reconcile the equities Of employer and employe