Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-17
such chance for increased compensation
through participation in strikes.
Asked as to Workers.


one instance in, which postal workers
had gone on strike at Fairmont. w. Va.
c an and when hen a Statement u was ras
made that they had been inundated
By government officials to plead guilty.
subcommittee giving the hearing.
pressed for the. names and facts re-
gardine this intimidation. saying that
he proposes to sift the matter to the
bottom.
Secretary Morrison said he could
furnish plenty of evidence showing
that intimidation was practiced against
the men who proposed to join the
organization of railway mail clerks.
Mr. Morrison also placed before the
committe a table of comparative prices
on foodstuffs, showing a so per cent
increase in cost of living. These fig
ures are the same as those presented
in the House last Friday by Repre-
sentative Watkins of Indiana.
He said he thought the clerks should
have the opportunity to prove their
case. and that. the increase should be
now receiving low salaries. under
$1,000. He said the increase should be
all that was promised in the declaration
of the Council of National Defense that
duced. and he pointed out that The gov=,
eminent workers, particularly IN the
postal service. are now below a. living
wage on account of the increasing prices
Should Get Increase.
Representative Cox said: 81 quito
agree with you that very many of low
salaries should get a substantial in
crease, but do you not think that those
of high salaries. say from $1,000 up to
$4,000, ought to be content" Mr.. Nor
rison replied that he was advised that
if all those up to $1,000 were increased
it would take care of all the big
classes of postal workers for the relief
of whom the hearings are being con-
Quoted
Representative Treadway of Massachu-
sets. new member of the ways and
means committee, made strong appeal
in favor of increased pay for all postal
employees. He quoted from the speech of
Representative Madden on the floor of the
House in regret at the departure of Rep
resentative John J. Fitzgerald and said
the same words apply in the business con-
duct Of the government. He declared the
business organization of the United States
government is the only concern that feels
it can afford to lose the service of valu-
able, trained employees for the matter of a
small increase in salary.
Wants Living Level Reached.
Representative Montague of Virginia
said he was deeply concerned that sal
aries and wages of the government
workers should be brought up to such
level that the people would have de-
cent living He said he felt that the
disposition of the committee sand of
Congress was to grant just and fair
increase, especially to those who are
now receiving small salary.
Many other members of Congress
made speeches emphasizing the need
of the government to give substantial
raises in salary. in order to meet the
increasing cost of living, and to keep
efficient men and women in the govern
ment service.
Representatives, Were present to speak
for workers in all the branches of the
postal service. Mrs. Mary V. Hallas of
Chicago, president of the Woman's
Auxiliary of the National Federation
Of Postal Employees, told human inter-
est stories from the lives of wives of
postal workers, showing their hard
struggles to keep sufficient food in the
house, to ciothe their children. and show
ing how the necessary night work of
the service DERIVES the families of the
pleasures of companicnship with the
husband and father
James II. Waters of Boston. president
of the Boston Post Office Clerks Asso-
citation. showed how the low wages and
high cost of necessities is causing dis
tress among the members of that