The Washington times., 1918-05-31
WAR WORKERS QUIT
D. c. BY HUNDREDS;
CAUSES ARE MANY
Continued from First Page.)

20 there were 1918 arrivals and o2S
departures, a net gain Of IS5.
E. S. Hege, Of the room registration
bureau Of the District Council Of DE-
fense, and Major 2. l. Potter, who has
done much to stop prOiteering IN
Washington and TO improve working
conditions OF Government employees,
both agreed today that the main fac
tors in the departure OF Government
employees are not rooming troubles
here. They go far deeper.
Have Kept Records,
The working forces OF both these
men have been coming in daily con-
tact with large numbers Of the en-
ployes returning TO their homes. and
nave been keeping records OF the
reasons given. Mr. Hege said today
that stories OF dissatisfaction with
rooming and living conditions in this
city being responsible are largely
erroneous.
Many thousands Of Government
clerks have come here, the facts re-
veal, from great industrial and bust
ness Establishments OF the country
that have worked out plans for pro-
noting efficiency Of employees. These
methods include free medical exami-
nations, advice, and emergency treat
ments; well-equipped rest rooms for
women employees, with nurses; vista
tion OF the sick by nurses: experts to
watch ventilation, temperature, and
overcrowding; lunch rooms for whole
some lunches at reasonable rates:
provisions for recreation under proper
conditions.
Certain branches Of the Government
have developed parts. OF these meth
DDS, but many have done little.
Bad Working Conditions.
Clerks are complaining OF the fall
ure OF the Government to give
thought to their personal welfare, OF
the lack OF executive ability and
tact in hundreds Of bureaus in hand
ling Of human beings: OF aimless
methods OF work, clerks often sitting
for hours doing nothing, and then
being called on late in the afternoon
for dictation and rush work that car
ries them far into the night
Much OF this dissatisfaction can
be overcome, it was today pointed
out II some board OF the Govern
ment could be constituted that would
look closely after the personnel OF
the Government and seek TO inspire
the thousands OF new workers with
ing by Uncle Sam to the limit ana
depending upon him to stick by them.
Because of the competition of priv
ate employers all through the coun-
try with the Government in the mat
ter OF wages the clerk does not fear
getting employment back home. There
he or she finds satisfactory work and
social conditions, home surroundings,
and possibly cheaper living. Cheese
pairing Of wages for Government en-
ployes by Congress is not helping to
keep Government workers in Wash
ington.
Rooms VIII Hold Ont.
Mr.. Hege was today fairly con
fdent that he will ind sufficient
rooms in Washington to care for in
coming Government clerks until the
new Government dormitories are
erected, II their completion is not
delayed. President Wilson has not
given word to go ahead with the
plans for these buildings, nor has he
approved the sites selected. He is
expected to act pretty soon. 1t is
declared that several OF these build
ings-money having been provided
for four large ones-can be COM
pleted within three months from the
time work is started. That means
that Washington people will have to
care for new arrivals at least that
much longer.
Mr.. Hege has completed a room can
Vass OF employees Of all departments
and has added many rooms to his list
The number has been increased by the
removal OF the shipping board and
emergency fleet corporation to Phila-
delphia. This moving Is now going on.
1t will leave about 300 apartments and
houses and about ], 100 rooms vacant
Fully 1000 employees OF these estaD-
lishments are being taken to Philadel-
phia. where there is also a scarcity
Of housing accommodations. Mr.. Hege
does not think the vacant houses and
apartments will help him much in
room matters. The tenants OF many
OF these have sublet TO other tenants,
and where the owners have refused to
permit this and agreed to cancel
leases the rents have been raised and
new leases made. Practically all I-.e
l, 100 rooms will be available, though.
and Mr.. Hege is holding down room
rents as far as possible. :
Fight On PrOHteerinE.
Mr.. Hege has had some stifr fights
over room and house profiteering. A
young man recently called into the
military service presented an order
from the landlord to move out OF a
small fiat The notice Of eviction was
written upon stationery of the POST
office Department by a clerk in that
department who owned the property.
The clerk refused to pay any atten-
tiOn to threats OF the law, but Mr..
Hege went to the Postmaster General
The wife or the soldier will remain
where she is.
Major Hottcr's office has handled 5000
eviction cases. The bulk Of them were
settled satisfaCt OTily. but Capt Julius
Ieyser. OF that office. took 800 of the
cases to the local courts. He has lost
only two or three OF those thata hive been
heard. and the majority OF the tenants
will stay where they are. now given ad-
ditional protection by the Salisbury
resolution. to become law so soon as
signed by the President. The resolution
Is expected at the White House this aft
ernOOn and the President will sign Il
promptly. The District Commissioners.