Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-13
FOR BILL TORA|SE
D. C. EMPLOYEES PAY
Local Branch of Federal Union
Votes to Support Keat-
ing Measure.
REASONS FOR INCREASES

With the adoption of lengthy resolu-
ton setting forth that the average sal
airy Of the employees of the District gov
eminent is $3.50 year, or little more
than So day, the District branch of the
Federal Employees Union. at meeting in
the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce
last night, voted to support the Heating
bill, which provides for increases for both
federal and District employees.
resolution also was adopted instruct
ing the secretary to ask the Central La
Dor Union, the three local trade bodies
and all of the citizen associations to sup
port the bill.
Other projects which the union will
endeavor to procure for the employees of
the District at the present session are:
Workmen's compensation act which pro-
vides that an employe receive two thirds
of his salary while absent from work as
result of injuries received in line of
duty; extension of the Saturday half-holi-
day to annual as well as per diem en-
ployes OF the District: placing of District
mechanics on an equal footing with me-
chanics in the federal service, and fifteen
days annual leave for District employees.
May Get Separate Charter.
Joseph n. Hurley, president OF the
ably would be received tonight from
the American Federation of Labor on
the request of the union for separate
charter from that organization. If the
charter is granted the District en-
ployes will sever their connections
with the Federal Employees Union, of
which they have been a part.
Mr.. Hurley also announced that a
national union of city government en-
p1oyes was being considered. The
president
communication with the city employees
of Pittsburgh, Boston. Baltimore and
San Francisco, all of whom have or
ganized locals.
The statement of President Hurley
setting forth reasons why District en-
ployes should share in wage increases.
which was adopted as a resolution by
the union. follows
I'VE have heard great deal during
the past two weeks of the poorly paid
federal clerk and every statement made
concerning him is borne out by the
facts. Their wage scale has mt been re-
vised for fifty years, although the stan
dard of ability has kept steady pace
with the growth and expansion of the
governmental department.
THE men and women employed in
executive departments. by their inte1li-
gent performance of their duties have
earned all the encomiums heaped upon
them and have richly deserved perma-
nent revision of the salary table to
meet the increased cost of living. But
nc one has seen fit to take up the cud-
gel for the employees of the city govern
ment: no one seems to care whether
this army of 5000 souls shares in the
increase or not Yet there is no more
deserving case that can be presented to
Congress and the people of the city.
Seven hundred and eighty dollars per
annum is the average salary or wage
paid them; it is therefore little better
than 81 day, almost 81 "A day less
than the Department of Labor report
states that a family can be expected to
exist upon. Two-thirds of these peo-
pie must work every day. rain or shine.
sick or we'll, to maintain that average,
as they are not carried on statutory
rolls. but are paid from lump sum APP
preparations and known as per diem
employees. therefore not entitled to sick
or annual leave.
II can cite some narrowing stories of
the Drivations and suffering caused by
these conditions; of men sick almost
unto death who continued to work be-
cause they feared to deprive their loved