The Washington times., 1918-01-02
KNIGHT URGES
INCREASE FOR
D. c. AS WELL.
ASU.S. CLERKS.
~ BILL PRICE.

~ BILL PRICE.
Gen. John @. D. Knight, Engineer
Commissioner of the District, wants
TO make sure that Congress will not
overlook the poorly paid District en-
pIoyes in whatever increases Of
salaries may be granted at this ses-
sion. He urges Washington newspa-
psrs and all other agencies working
for financial betterment for Govern.
meut employees to keep the status of
District employees in mind.
''The tendency In some of the news
papers," he said today, has been to
present the necessities of Federal EN-
ployes and overlook those of District
employees That, OF course. is not in
tended, and may be due to the fact
that ConEressmen VIII express them
selves upon this question are more
IN touch with Federal Ehsn District
questions
Urgent Need.
Those OF MS put here in an execu-
tive capacity cannot fail to note daily
the sinEularly urgent need for &C
ton that will give District employees
substantial increases In their salaries.
We know intimately how deficient
are these salaries IN the face Of rising
prices in every direction. The truth
Is the salaries paid by the District
government are comparatively so far
below those in the Federal Govern
msnt that our employees are seeking
and obtaining better wages in all di-
rsetions. When they do not go to the
Federal Government they find better
salaries In business houses 1t is not
because Of this movement that make
appeal. It Is that a square deal may
be granted our people, as 1 am sure
II will II their situation is constantly
borne In mind"
District employees have some fear
that they may be overlooked in sal
airy raising unless Congress should
pass the Heating bill, in which they
ara included on an equal footing with
Government employees.
Poorly paid school teachers and
school employees OF the District are
in the same boat with District work
SH.
who'll Handle Question.
The question CT increasing the pay
OF Federal employees will be handled
by one subcommittee of the House
Appropriations Committee and that of
District and school employees by an
other, making it possible that the
greater and stronger influence that
can be exefted by Federal employees /
will bear better fruit.
This will not be so, however, IL the /
District Commissioners are in posi- /
ton to make their appeals to Con !
gress fully appreciated. These city /
fathers are earnestly and honestly for |
better pay for their employees. They |
are being given the assistance of the /
District branch OF the Federal En- 1
ployIE Union, OF which Joseph II. /
felt sure today that Samuel Gompers. |
both before President Wilson and /
Congress, will present the claims of |
the District people with equal force
fulness.
Mr.. HurIey's case is in itself an ex-
emple OF the poor pay of District EN-
pIoyes. He holds a responsible posi- 1
ton in the disbursing office. He per
sonally pays out of District funds 1
each year 81. 5000 He is required |
TO furnish q bond to make good any |
losses. His salary is 81 a day for |
each week day and he gets no annual !
or sick leave, losing his pay for any /
day he may be absent from work
Hurley Tells of situation.
There are 1000 employees of the !
District government, not including |
the Police and Fire Departments" |
said Mr.. Hurley. THE average year /
iy pay Of these employees is $3.50,
against an average OF S94S in the .
Federal Government. This serious /
difference has existed since 1874, wnen /
Congress found the District govern
ment burdened with a huge bonded |
debt and other obligations. Congress
ut that time cut all District salaries
20 per cent. The reduction has never
been restored.
What we hope for all believe Con
Grsss will give is, first, permanent I.
restoration Of the cut then made, and J
second, our inclusion IN whatever
emergency increase Congress may
give to Federal employees. Commits
aioner Brownlow favors this plan,
and we have great faith in his OBJ
tanning fair treatment for US. The
Heating tiIi, which our branch Of the
Employees Union strongly fayors, pro-
vides emergency increases proper
higher for low paid en-
ployes, which will greatly benefit Dis
trict workers, generally. II
SHOULD the Heating bill become
law and the Commissioners should
be able to induce Congress to perm
Anently restore the 20 per cent re-
duction of years ago we would then
be on an equal footing as TO pay
with Federal employees. 4
II have asked Representative Sis
a.. nf the Hnnga
on the District appro-
priation bill, TO give us a hearing,
and I am sure he will do so.
Tho District government has lost
rs per cent of it's employees in the last
seven months because these men and
women have been able to obtain much
better pay from business establish
Inents than from the District
RIrchell'a