The Washington herald., 1918-06-30
GUARDS SALARIES.
These Important Men Receive Only
$50 a Month.

D $50 a Month.
To the Editor Of The Washington
Herald:
/ have noticed several communities
tons in the Washington newspapers
relative to the salaries OF the police.
fireman, also a reference to the small
pay of the Chicago stockyard's en-
ployes, the latter appeared recently
in The Washington Herald. 1t has
occurred to me that It Is about time
that someone in the official circle
should take an interest in q class OF
men who are now employed in the
government service, who, at the pres
ent writing, are merely existing on
measly salary allowed them to main
tain themselves and families, and who
are expected to carry themselves In
a dignified and impressive manner
whilst on duty. This all must be done
on SO a month
I refer to the guards Of the State,
War and Navy Department. l am
wondering how all this can be ex-
pected from men who at times have
to curtail their meals in order 70
carry themselves from one pay day
TO another. These men also have to
pay for their uniform-cash IL they
have it-instalments of they have not
the cash.
An application Is filled out when ap-
plying for the position as watchman
or guard, and on the back Of apli-
cation states that the uniform will
cost SIS or thereabouts. II appointed
you will find that the price has gone
up to between so and SEQ. The uni
form part of the business Is handled
by a government employe. We are
wondering II It is permissible to do
Ibusiness outside Of government work
Iduring government time, by an en-
ploye Of the United States Govern
ment and with government employees.
have noticed that many of the men
wear service badges on their manly
bosoms. They have been over the
top. They have marched out Of their
respective homes amidst the cheers Of
the multitude. bands playing. flags
flying, Just exactly as the boys of to-
day. They were proclaimed heroes by
the nation. These men like the boys
of today offered all that any patriotic
American could offer.
Is he not entitled to q little more
consideration from the country he de-
Tended? Can We expect these men to
raise their families on $50 a month.
especially in this city OF profteerins
and high prices? 1t cannot be done.
The entire service for the past three
months has been a continuous round
Of appointments and designations.
The reason is apparent and can be
written in big letteres: INSUFFI-
GENT PAY.
Strong and efficient men will not re-
tain a position which will not permit
them to furnish the ordinary neces-
stiles of life for themselves and loved
ones. They must live. they must eat.
ctothe themselves and families and IL
there is any person in the city OF
Washington who can prove that this
can be done on $50 a month we would
like to know IL. Men are coming to
Washington from all parts of the
country to accept the position as
guards at the government buildings.
They stay awhile and as a rule soon
seek other employment to enable them
to get sufficient money to carry them
back to their home States.
So you government employees who
look so sour at the guards sometimes,
Just think for a moment that the man
probably has troubles of his own and
is not worrying about your affairs.
Perhaps the Washington landlords are
after him for his rent and he is trying
TO figure how he is going to pull
through the month, feed a family of
healthy American youngsters and him.
self, and carry himself in a dignified
manner all on $50 per.
Verly truly yours
AN EX-GUARD.