The Washington herald., 1918-06-26
U. S. MAY LOSE
MANY CLERKS
BY S-HOUR DAY
Head of Union Points Out
Effect If Borland
Idea Prevails.

That many government employees
will resign IL the Borland amend
ment. providing an eight-hour day
for all Federal workers who are tc
share in the so pay increase effect.
i've July !, becomes q law was the
prediction last night Of II. L. Nc,
Larin, president OF the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees.
Serious interference with the gov.
ernment's war work. he said. would
result from the enactment of tbs
amendment, which was adopted yes
terday by the Senate and House con
ferees Mr.. McLarin declared tn,
clerks are willing to do oyerttms
work now when the war needs re
auire It. and the Borland arnendmen
Ii unnecessary.
He stated that more than 50 pc
cent OF applicants for government 20
sitions had refused them when ten
dered by the Civil Service Commits
sion and that 100 OF 1.5oc new EN-
ployes Of tie War Department re
signed a few weeks ago.
violates Agreement.
-An employees now in the gov
eminent service. including those re
Gently appointed. accepted their po
sitions on the understanding tina
seven hours work was to constitut
q day" said Mr.. McLarin last night
Congress now proposes TO VIC
late this agreement and in addition
gives very small increase in pa.
to the old employees and no increas
to the new employees. This actiol
will. II Is feared. cause a great dea
larger percentage OF both new an
old employees to resign, thus Grip
pling the administration of the gov
ernment's affairs in the time OF wal
The heads OF departments alread,
! had authority to increase hour
whenever necessary without thi
proposed additional legislation. tn
! employees were entirely willing fror
patriotic motives to do every bi
of overtime work required by tn
departments without pay therefor
( They are not, however, willing {
have their normal hours made eigh
! hours a day unless provision is mad
for overtime pay
Letter to Congressmen.
The National Federation of Fed
eral Employees last night sent tn
following letter to every Sepatu
and Representative:
vote with organized labar aa
for justice-fair play.
please be present and vot
against the conference report o
the Legislative appropriation bill
providing a minimum S-hour da
and no pay for overtime (Borlan
amendment).
The American Federation of La
Dor convention at St Paul last wee
condemned this legislation
THE Council OF National Defens
has recommended that no change b
made in hours of work.
The President and executive OF
ficers have not asked for this leg
islation.
TIE President has approved In
standards set by the National Wa
LaHCr Board providing :oT a basI
S-hou- day with time ana a hal
J for overtime.
"All employees should be treate
alike and fairly. Those in navy yard
arsenals. shipyards and other indus
trial plants now receive, by act {
Congress, and through executive of
cials, time and a half for overtin
in excess, of eight'hours. We have II
normal seven-hour day with no pa
for overtime. great deal of owe
time work is required and Depar
ment heads have authority to exten
hours as they see fit. but there exis
no authority for overtime pay Il
these employees.
THE government now gets the owe
time work without paying for IL. tt
employes are willing and ready TO giN
all necessary overtime work durir
the war under present law. The Bo
land amendment is unnecessary.
I'VE appeal to you TO defeat the pr,
posed legislation or 10 provide pa
for overtime. We ask that there
no discrimination against us and tn
il eight hours are to be the minimu
wording hours in a day, that pay
provided for work in excess OF eigl
hours"
Resolutions by Federation.
Mr.. McLarin called attention
resolutions adopted by the Amer
can Federation OF Labor at the al
, nuaI convention in st. Paul CO,
demning the proposed legislatio
The resolutions were, in, part:
. whereas. under the provision
Of the Act of Congress OF Mar
, Is, 1898. employees of the FEEDER
government are required to woi
: not less than seven hours per da