The Washington times., 1918-06-26

any other time than this the pro-
posed legislation might have been
imposed with less possibility of hurt
full consequences. Observers OF the
spirit among Government clerks
have officially reported that work
ing conditions in this city, where all
sorts of unsuitable buildings are
used by the government, are any
thing but satisfactory and not to
be compared with surroundings pro-
vided by large mercantile and indus
trial concerns of the country.
Some OF these buildings can not
be half heated in winter, and in sum
mer are sitting from lack OF proper
ventilation. Rest rooms for sick wo-
men are not available except in a
few departments.
The result is that clerks. who came
here under alluring promises, are re-
signing by thousands and returning
to private employment in the States.
now easily competing with the Gov
eminent in salaries paid. Moreover.
these clerks came here with the dis
tinct understanding that seven hours
constituted a days work.
From an executive standpoint the
proposed legislation today threatened
serious interruption to efforts to
bring employees here and to holding
those already here.
Hope Lies in President.
The great hope of the clerks now
lies in the President, for the reason,
as they we'll know, that his whole
official record is an undertaking
straight course OF fair and square
thought for humanity and its uplift;
OF insistence that contentment in
mankind makes for the bringing out
OF the best and most efficient that
man has to give.
Any legislation, TO be effective and
receive approval, must be undis-
criminatory. The laws of the country
now provide that employees OF Gov
eminent contractors who are required
to work more than eight hours shall
be paid time and a half time for
overwork.
In the navy yards, gun factories.
arsenals,- and all Industrial concerns
doing work for the Government this
law is uniformly and unswervingly
recognized. Mans industry past the
recognized hours of labor means
more money for himself and his
family, and he has no kick.
Is the Government employe less a
human being? Should he not be given
the same inspiration, the same treat
| ment, as others, the same measure
The President. II may be safely pre-
dicted today, will see these points.
Might Veto the Bill.
It may be we'll for Senate and
House leaders to consult him before
going ahead.
Nobody is authorized to say he will
- hoN f1 rnndAd 40
get a pointer as to his possible ac-
ton is to study his speeches, his ad-
dresses, his general attitude on all
labor problems that have come before
him. His sympathies are likely to
be strongly with the clerks, simply
because they are unsupported by a
thoroughly organized union, although
backed by one that is making sub
stantial Roadway toward becoming
power able to look out for itself.
II the President should come TO the
conclusion that the intustices done
the clerks in the Borland amendment
are as glaring as seems evident to
others, he would not hesitate TO veto
IL, although in doing so he would have
to veto the greatest appropriationibil
OF the year. II whacked on the head
with a veto, Congress would quickly
re-enact the bill without Mr.. Borland's
proposition.
GOmpers to Take Hand.
The situation was today put before
Samuel Gompers, president. OF the
American Federation of Labor, and
Mr.. Gompers was expected to Join
with others who will lay the matter
before President Wilson. H NJ. Ale
Larin, president of the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees, who Is
hard at work to check the proposed
legislation. has no doubt Mr.. Gompers
will at once take up the cudgel for the
clerks.
The Federation of Labor. in its an
nual convention just closed, strongly
opposed the Borland scheme and its
resolutions on the subject will go to
the White House along with Mr..
Gompers' ideas as to the harm that
may be worked in many directions.
The viewpoint OF Government
clerks will be brought out at big
mass meeting to be held in Masonic
Temple, New York avenue and Thir-
teenth street. next Sunday afternoon