The Washington times., 1917-12-27
LOCAL j. S. CLERKS
UNION TOCAMPA|GN
FOR NEW MEMBERS

campaign to double the member
ship Of the Washington branch OF the
National Federation Of Federal En-
ployes was announced today by John
s. Beach. president Of Federal EN-
ployos' Union. No. 2. That they may
hght twice as hard for increases in
salary for Government clerks is the
object.
This action Of the local union Is
regarded by leaders Of the campaign
with approval They are confident
cards In the deck has been put in
the already good betting hand Of the
clerks. Twice a. many persons can
make twice a. much noise-so. there
you are" they say.
s,ooo Members Here.
The local clerks organization is
the largest union In the National
Federation Of Federal Employees. 1t
has more than 5000 members in
Washington, almost ons-half the
membership Of the entire national or
ganization. Besides speaking for his
own organization. Mr.. Beach gives the
sentiments Of other large organiza-
tions In Warrington In which Govern
msnt employees are numbered. There
are many Government employees here
whose trade makes them Ineligible to
the employer union. These mem
bers OF the various trade unions, 1t
Is carefully pointed out by Mr..
Beach, are In entire sympathy with
Federal Employer Union, No. ..
Mr.. Beach points to the fact that
the whole Federal employees organi-
zation sprang into being almost over
night, during March, 1916, as a power
-ful protest against the Borland rider,
which proposed 70 increase the hours
Of labor of Government clerks from
seven to eight. The rider was de-
feated. Now that the clerks are fight |
Ing for far more than mere hours of
labor, the organization has taken a
new swell In membership. Mr.. Beach |
declares his belief that the increase |
IN membership 10 attributable in a
great measure to the desire OF clerks |
to get In and fight"
Formal Statement.
The formal statement Of John s. |
Beach, president OF Federal Employ IS |
Union, No. 2, with a membership of
over 5000 Washington clerks, follows:
I'VE are determined to double the
membership Of our organization for
the primary purpose Of supporting |
the proposed increases for Govern
ment clerks. There is every indica-
tion that we will be able to accom-
plIsh this.
I'VE, like the national organization,
indorse the Heating bill, which pro-
vides for increases ranging from
to 30 per cent This is the least that
could be given to Government en-
ployes at this time. Even the high
est percentage increase offered in
the bill is hardly adequate when we
consider that the cost OF living has
increased almost three times as
much a. the highest percentage in
crease provided in the bill.
Figures published not long ago by
the Old Dutch Market struck me very
forcibly. These figures published In
an advertisement. showed that during
the last three years food prices had
Increased over SO per cent. For fifty |
years there has been u crying need |
for an increase in the wages OF Fed !
eral employees. Now the need is mag
nified TO such an extent that 1 cannot
see how any one could fail to heed.
Keating BiII Gives Basis.
The Keatihg bill gives us a basis
upon which to work. Our principal
reason for supporting the Keating
bill, besides the reason that It will \
afford temporary relief, Is that II Is
q blanket measure. Congressman are
Jealous OF the power they have. Many
Of them owe aid to certain groups OF
Government employees, such as the
postoffice clerks, the printers, or ma
chinists. For this reason, especially,
IL Is hard to pass such . blanket
measure as the Heating bill. II this
bill passes, the removal OF this diff !
Guilty will be our greatest triumph. !
OF course the increases In salary will !