The Washington herald., 1917-01-04
PROSPECTS BRIGHTER
FOR INCREASED PAY
Head of Federal Employees Union Ad-
dresses Senate Committee.

More substantial increases for govern
ment employees and those in the Dis
trict service appeared brighter last night
following an effective plea by H N.
McLarin, president Of the Federal En-
ployes' Union, before the subcommittee
of the Senate Committee on Approprta-
lions considering the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial bill.
McLarin made the following statement
to The Herald last night. Il have heard
that some of the employees are not en-
tirely satisfied, because the graded-in-
crease schedule from to Is per cent
which / advocated. ought to have been
larger. in their opinion.
Let me say that my entire purpose
was to secure Justice for all. The House
has already turned down a plan to make
the and 10 per cent increases which
they granted, larger. There is no reason
to believe that when this measure comes
to conference the House conferees will
do other than support the action Of that
branch.
Under the circumstances / worked
for what felt was for the best interest
of the majority of the employees and at
the same time was In harmony with the
attitude of Congress as already ex-
pressed.
Members of the House and Senate
have been exceedingly fair and courteous
in their treatment of our cause. 1 had no
desire to ask what Congress. or one
branch OF It, has already turned down.
Ny case was based on a compromise that
seemed equitable to all. I am confident
that the Senate will see the justice Of the
employees claim and add materially to
the increases granted by the House"
Increases urged by McLarin were: 10
per cent in the pay Of employees from $500
down; 10 per cent between 800 and 1900
inclusive, and 5 per cent from $500 to
and including employees in the s., 800 grade.
In his statement to the committee, Nc
Larin said:
ut is our contention that the increases
fixed by the House are not sufficient to
meet the needs and that greater in
creases are justified by the existing con-
ditions. Many legislators believe that
there should be an increase, but think
that It should be In the nature of a re-
classification We submit that a reclassi-
fication is necessary. but that the in
crease in wages is of such vital and i'm
mediate Importance that It should not
await the formulation OF an entire scheme
of reclassifcation.
Those employees who are receiving less
than $1,000 a year are suffering great
hardship right now. One on this salary
must devote his whole income to merely
the necessities of life. Since the cost of
living has advanced so greatly. he is in
many cases unable to purchase sufficient
food and clothing.
"The daily papers are replete with ac-
counts of wage increases and bonuses
granted by corporations to their en-
ployes. All OF these increases granted by
corporations are in addition to numerous
other advances in wages which have been
granted to meet the needs of employees in
the industrial and commercial world
Sentiment for a greater increase was
overthrown and the increase defeated by
talk about the great deficit in the Treas
ury. This deficit is due entirely to the
preparedness program, which the people
of the United States have approved and
which they are willing to pay for In in
creased taxes
1T is a condition which the gov
ernment employe faces, not a theory.
He is now required to live upon the
same wages paid sixty years ago, not
withstanding the fact that the cost
of living has advanced more than 100
per cent. In that time, according to
the Secretary of Commerce. the total
prices of food have increased in 1915
10 per cent and since 1915. 16 per cent.
Some members of Congress are so
unthoughtful as to suggest that If
the employees of the government do
should leave the service. Most gov
ernment employees have assumed OBJ
legations and cannot afford to take
the risk incident to a change in oc-
cupation. Most of them believe that
the government is going to do the
just thing by them at some time and
they keep on living in this hope.