The Washington herald., 1917-01-24
Praise Herald for Fight
Which Results in Increase
For Uncle Sans Employees

In all sections Of the District last night
the successful elimination OF the move
ment for a general increase in salary for
government employees was commended.
The enactment OF the Smoot amendment
means that employees living In the Dis
trict will receive more than 81 600 900 an
nually and the and 10 per cent graded
increase of the House, which may ulti-
mately be enacted into law, means more
than 100000 annually for Federal and
District employees residing in Washing
ton.
The Washington Herald, which started
the campaign to bring about the in
creases. was generally commended. Some
OF the comments on the action of the
Senate follow:
p. T. MORAN, DIRECTOR OF THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCEi
"Of course, I am pleased with the ac-
ton of the Senate. l would have been
glad il they had Incorporated the House
provision or and 10 per cent graded
increases, but the concession granted
means that the Senate recognized the
claim for better wages as just. It shows
what a progressive press. fighting for a
just cause, can accomplish. I congratu-
late the emuloyes upon their victory and
l congratulate the press upon the sue
honest fght.'
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES A. GALL
VAN, OF MASsACHUsETTsi
'As a member of the Committee on Ap-
propriations. I supported the legislation
designed to give the employees an in
crease. I thought they needed it then.
think they need 1t now. The Senate, In
its best Judgment. feels we have been too
N Conference this
matter will be adjusted to the mutual
satisfaction of both branches, and l am
confident that the clerks will not suffer.
In no small part is the victory due to the
cordial support given the movement by
The Washington Herald and the press Of
the city generally"
REPREsENTATIvE JOHN i. NOLAN,
OF CALIFORNIA;
The adoption of the Smoot amendment
by the Senate recognizes the principle for
which l have long been striving, and
which is Incorporated in my bill fixing
81 a day as the minimum wage for gov
ernment employees. Il is the employe be-
low 5000 year who most feels the
pinch of poverty, the high cost of living,
the struggle to make both ends meet.
The Senate recognizes this by giving the
advance to this class OF employees. 1 am
pleased at the outcome. It only makes
me feel, even more strongly, that the 50
a day minimum wage is Just and that its
enactment into law Is only a question of
a short time
THE WASHINGTON Herald has helped the
cause immensely. I hope 1t will con-
tinue the fight until 100 per cent justice
has been secured for the underpaid gov
ernment employees
WILLIAM NICK. CLAYTON, OF THE
FEDERATION OF CITIZENS AssO-
CIATIoNSI
II hope that these increases may be ex
tended to the employees of the District
and I am delighted at the fact that the
members of Congress have officially
recognized the increased cost of living
by granting the employees an Increase.
In my humble way. 1 have tried my
best to convince the members of Con-
gress that many of the District en-
ployes are grossly underpaid. l spoke
for those employees who are without
money and influence to have their con-
dttton brought directly to the members
of Congress. The Smoot amendment
helps them materially. 1t Is a distinct
start in the right direction and the press
should feel gratifed at the material as
ststance it has rendered such a COM
mendable movement"
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER LOUIS
BROwNLOwI
II am confident that Congress will grant
District employees the same increases IN
salary that will be written into the legis-
lattve bill For that reason. moro than
anything else. l am gratified at the vote
in the Senate.
The cost OF living has advanced to the
point where it is exceedingly difficult for
an emplOye on q salary of less than s, 900
a year to keep his head above the sea Of
debt that engulfs him..
The present Congress has been fair
with the District. 1t has been fair with
the employees. When the history of the
s4th Congress is written. it will be the
story of legislators who have been truly
epresentatives-men who have had a fin
ger on the pulse OF public opinion, regI-
lated by justice, and guided by the great
est executive in the history Of the nation.
I congratulate the employees and l con-
gratulate Congress.
WILLIAM T. GALLIHER, PRESIDENT
OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL
BANK,
II am delighted to hear that the de-
partment clerks will get an increase 1t
is wholly justified. Living has greatly
increased in cost ! have often wondered
how many OF them were able to meet
the Increased expenses. 1t has been too
long delayed The Herald deserves great
praise for its support of the bill
THOMAS GRANT, SECRETARY OF
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
An army Of clerks will appreciate the