The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-13
BIG FOREIGN TRADE
NOW VITAL TOU. S,
REDFIELDDECLARES

Provision for adequate salaries and
for promotion in the Census Bureau.
civil service retirement, for a new
Governments owned Commerce build
'ng, and for an aquarium for the Blu
reau OF Fisheries, are presented to
Congress as the most urgent needs
OF the Department of Commerce by
Secretary Redfeld in his annual re-
port
Officials and other workers are I'M
derpaid. the Secretary declares. He
says the Government Is far behind
private practice in regard to retire
ment. A policy OF equal opportunity
for women and of promotion in the
department is announced.
Extend Foreign Trade. Plea.
The Secretary urges passage OF the
Webb bill for combination in foreign
trade, and declares the great store OF
gold held by this country. the great
est ever held by any country in the
worlds history, Is a great economic
prize. He calls attention to the huge
balance OF trade in favor of this
country during the last fiscal year.
With respect-to women employees,
the Secretary said:
at is the policy OF the department
to afford women seeking Government
employment as many opportunities
rs possible, particularly in clerical
positions. They are appointed upon
the same conditions and with the
same compensation as are prescribed
for men.
Great difficulty has been expert
enced in obtaining qualified male ell
gibles, and an, unusual opportunity
has therefore arisen for the appoint
ment OF women who pass the civil
service examinations. During the past
four months women were given 40
out OF a total OF 2l7 probatlonal APP
pointments in clerical positions.
Merit Quickly Recognized.
at continues to be the definite
policy OF the department to afford
its own employees, every possible
means OF advancement within its own
services. 1t is the practice not to
fill vacancies in higher grades by
transfers from other departments SO
long as there are employees eligible
and capable OF performing well the
duties of the higher positions.
The Department desires that In each
OF its services a knowledge OF the
operations OF the various Offices be
extended as broadly as possible among
the stan so as to encourage the Junior
employees 20 learn the work in all its
forms that they may be ready for the
duties OF higher grade positions which
may become vacant. The result OF
this policy appears in the fact that
In the last fiscal year the Department
anfhnrFTRd k00 l..
creases in pay, as compared to 1876 In
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915,
and SIS in the fiscal year ended June
30. 1915.
There were only ten transfers made
from other departments or independ-
ent Offices at more than the usual en-
trance salary during the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1917. In each case
II was specifically shown that the
vacancies could not adequately be |
filled by promotions or transfers with |
I'm the department.
The Secretary recommends the es-
adjustment OF free ports, and declares |
we must push our foreign trade to. hold |
our gold reserve. and present economic |
power. Increased foreign trade after |
the war. he said, means employment, |
activity. occupation"
New Commerce Building.
Building OF a new department Of com
merce building on the land in the nve |
squares purchased seven years ago for |
the purpose is urged by the Secretary.
The present structure is inadequate. he |
declares. He cites the grave need Of ad-
ditIonal building for the Bureau OF
Standards and concentration OF its work |
In Washington. The Pittsburgh build
ings are inadequate. he says, and a new
laboratory building for testing equip
ment for civil and military use Is ur-
gently needed. He calls attention to the |
lnsanitary and insufficient housing OF |
the Coast and Geodetic Survey In a |
group OF buildings not worth the paint |
put upon them, and recommends that this |
bureau be provided for in the proposed |
new commerce building.
With respect to the Census Office, |
the Secretary calls attention to the !
fact that it will soon need a vast |
amount OF additional space because |
OF the approaching census period. He |
points to the fact that during the last !
census the bureau was scattered in |
four insufficient buildings and great |
waste resulted