Evening star., 1918-07-01
A Wise and Just Veto.

A Wise and Just Veto.
By his veto Of the postal appropria-
ton bill because Of a clause obnoxious
to his administration, the President
opened the way to the correction of a
very grave injustice to the employees
Of the government. The legislative ap-
preparation bill, which he has today dis
approved, carried an item that if put
into effect, would most seriously have
injured the government itself through
the imposition of needless and in
equitable burden upon its workers.
Already the fiscal year has lapsed
and the government has passed to a
new period Of appropriations and ex-
penditures. This days costs are un-
provided for at the Treasury. The
veto Of the legislative bill, followed
quickly by the enactment Of substi-
tnte emitting the eight-hour provision,
will not gravely affect the admins
trstive processes.
Every consideration Of Justice to the
employees Of the government demanded
that the extension Of the working
hours with no increase Of pay should
be prevented. As it stood the propo-
sition forced upon the bill by a preju
dice that is deaf to reason was a stroke
Of profteering Of which the United
States should be heartily ashamed, even
though its consummation has been
prevented by the Presidents act. 1t
was not asked by any administrative
official. It was recognized by all Of
those responsible for the daily trans
action of the governments business as
unwise as well as unfair. Yet it was
persisted in, despite protests arising
not merely from those directly affected
but from those who would have to
struggle with the problem Of de-
pleted force under the harsh conditions
it would impose.
The grant Of bonus Of $120 q year
to all the employees Of the government
receiving $2500 a year and less was
! no more than a recognition in small
measure Of the greatly increased cost
Of living. It was a continuation in
slightly more generous proportion
very slight and not adequate-of the
bonus granted year ago in lieu Of
the permanent scale increase asked by
the employees in view Of the half CEN
tury Of unamended government pay
rates. There was no addition to the
working hours last year. Thus the Inn
position Of an extra hour-nearly 1415
per cent-this year could not by any
stretch Of logic be regarded as q bal
ance Of account. It was an imposition,
an effort to reduce the pay scale while
pretending to increase it.
No private employer would dare to
do such a thing. The government could
not afford to do to its workers what
through its ,mediatory efforts in labor
troubles it is seeking to prevent COM
panies and corporations from doing.
Setting up standard Of treatment for
the workers in private employ, it was
by this act proposing to establish a
contrary standard for itself.
This is not a question Of whether or
not the government needs moro work
from its employees. It can and does
get more work from them now when
ever emergencies require, and for no
additional pay. There is not depart
ment in which overtime is not worked
frequently, without extra compensa-
tion. The effect Of the proposed law
would be to lengthen the minimum day
and then to permit overtime beyond
that, still without any addition to the
semi-monthly envclop.
By vetoing the legislative bill in its
present form the President has rejected
the proposition that the government
can do what no private employer can
do. He has prevented an injustice af-
fecting thousands of faithful, poorly
paid, efficient workers. He has kept
them from discomfort and resentment
at . grievous wrong. He has insured
their continuance in service at a time
when the government is seriously
pressed for competent workers.