The Washington times., 1917-01-12
Federal Employees Union Far
From Discouraged Over Pros
poets of Immediate Relief.
READY TO PUT UP FIGHT
Economy Program Expected to
Make Rough Shedding for
Friends of Measure.

Undismayed by bear reports from
Congress on the possibilities OF put
ting through legislation this session
granting increases in pay to- Govern
ment clerks, representatives OF the
Federal Employees Union are increas-
ing their campaign activity today.
1--WE realize that we have a tough
fight before us now" declared H.
NJ. McLarin, head Of the Federal EN-
ployes' nionetoday. tsThis economy
program of the majority, forced upon
them by unusual fiscal demands,
means that we will not have all plain
sailing in getting increases in sal
aries.
But we are not at all discouraged.
The Government clerks have a lot
OF good friends in Congress, and the
general sentiment of the country Is
FOR US. Congressman are now receiv-
ing in their mail every day appeals
from all over the country urging them
to help the underpaid Federal en-
pIoyes.
Aid for Poorest Paid.
The possibility of a recommended
tion for an increase in pay of the
poorest paid Federal employees was
indicated today in the subcommittee
of the Senate Appropriations Commit
tee in charge of the legislative bill
The subcommittee worked on the
bill this morning and convened again
at 2:30. 1t was given out after the
morning session that it had not taken
mai action on the pay for the clerks
and employees.
Must Recognize Need.
congressman who possess a sin.
cere desire to represent the people
OF their districts cannot fail to recog-
nize the sentiment that prompts these
persons, with no individual axes to
grind, to take up the cause of the
Government clerk"
Representatives of the clerks are
daily keeping their cause In the fore
ground by appearing in the offices
OF members of Congress to argue their
cases. Members who are known to be
opposed to the increase in pay are
being subjected to an extensive cam
paign Of education. Members who are
known to favor better pay for the
clerks are being exhorted to do
everything in their power to keep the
issue warm
Yesterday Mr.. McLarin ana E. N.
Hurley, president Of the District
branch of the Federal Employees
Union, accompanied delegation from
the Federal Employees Union of BaIti-
more to the Capitol. where visits
were made to the offices of the Mary
land delegation in Congress.
Assured Of Cooperation.
At the offices of Senators Smith and
Lee the visitors were assured the Co
operation OF the Senatorial contingent.
The House members from Baltimore
pledged their support to the move
ment, while majority of the rest OF
the Maryland delegation in the House
gave their unconditional Endorsement
to the increase In salary plan
Mr.. Hurley has devoted all his time
for several days to the cause of OBJ
tanning better salaries for the District
employees, and believes that he is now
getting tangible results.
: Decision Expected Any Time.
The Senate appropriations subcom-
mittee is still at work on the legisla-
tive bill, and may reach a decision at
any time respecting the increases.
with the clamor for economy be-
cause of the huge deficit which is
threatened. the prospects for higher
pay cannot be considered bright It |
Is deemed possible the Appropriations |
Committee will consent to go as far |
as the House went in the 10 and 8 per |
cent increases.
Word continued to come from the |
subcommittee in charge of the legis- |
latfve bill today that the business of |
slashing increases contained in the
bill was going ahead.