The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-02
s. MINIMUM PAY
BILL HEARING SET
FOR NEXT FRIDAY

Public hearings on the Nolan So
minimum wage bill will be held by
the House Labor Committee on Fri
day, it was announced by Congress
man Nolan OF California. father OF the
bill. today.
Under the terms OF this measure
the minimum annual salary of Fed
eral employees will be 81 $50, while
those on the per diem roll will re-
ceive q minimum Of SO per day, or
37lZ cents per hour.
The Nolan bill represents one phase
OF the night for adequate pay for
Government employees. and is aimed TO
reach the lower paid clerks and other
employees. who have been On the Gov
eminent rolls for not less than two
years and have attained the age Of
twenty years.
Merits Of Bills.
While approaching the salary ques-
ton from a different angle from the
Kssting bill for graded increases OF
from to 30 per cenS and not con-
dieting in its effect If 10th are en-
acted into law, the wisdom OF press
ing the bill for passage at this SEES
sion is being questioned by many
members of Congress who are earn
sstly working in the interests Of the
clerks
The reason for this attitude on the
part of some is that the Nolan bill
provides for permanent increase for
the lower paid clerks, while the keat-
ing bill, greater in scope, provides
only for a temporary emergency in
crease for the next fiscal year.
There is a marked reluctance on
the part of House leaders to attempt
q permanent readjustment OF salaries
under present conditions While many
are in favor of Heating bill which
81 acceptable to organized labor. and
itH chances for adoption practically
in its present form or atf least
changed but little, are considered
bright, a fear is expressed that it
may be sidetracked by too many
"herrings" crossing its trail.
In other words, warning has been
sounded by Congressman Byrns Of
Tennessee, chairman of the House
legislative subcommittee that will
consider. the Heating bill, concern
ing attempts to force through any
permanent change in the base pay
go slowly" is the word sent the
clerks.
FOresee Complications.
1t is pointed out that while the
Justice Of the demands OF the clerks
81 well recognized by many Congress
men and Senators, who consider the
present high cost OF living has to
be met by the Government, the mat
ter OF going into the question OF a |
permanent re-arrangemtnt of salary
80 49, Ew
should not be pressed with Congress |
taken up with providing the funds
for the sinews necessary for the
prosecution of the war, and other
wise engaged in matters vital enough
to take up all their time.
Although the Nolan bill does not
attempt to run the Eamut OF the
scale, and merely provides for thu
least that shall be paid Government
workers, the permanency of its pro-
visions is the chief objection to its
favorable consideration by the friends
of the employees who really want to
see immediate relief given.
ReRdJuEtmsnt Imperative.
There is no doubt in Congress that
eventually there will have to be a
permanent readjustment OF the Gov
EdldAg HGLtuules Out II Is Il
question so important to the Cow
eminent and the clerks affected that
hssty action is considered out of the
Q question. To cover the present emer-
gency, and give Congress breathing
space, and an opportunity to rear
range salaries on a proper permanent
basis at more Opportune time =
when the situation is cleared up a
are generally credited
with favoring the Heating bill. or
one along Its lines possibly not so
far reaching At least the Heating
bill is considered by many as a prop
er basis to work on-if results are
TO be expected this session.
Chairman SherIey OF the House APP
preparations Committee. and other in
iuential members OF this committee
Ire known to hold to these views.
Nolan Is Confident.
Despite arguments as to the wis !
iom OF pressing his bill at this time. |
Nolan is confident, as {
re readers among the employees or l
saniZatiOn. that the Nolan bill will
PASS the House II it reaches the floor I
There y ere enough written pledges
n favor OF the 81 min iInum wage bill {
n the SlNty-foUrth Congress to in :
ure its passage. but unfortunately [
he parllam" ntary situation VAS such ]
hat vote would not be had. We
re tr3 ing to prevent a like situation |
n this Congress bS getting the bill
'efOre the House IN ample time to in
Ure its mature consideration" Mr.
olan said.
Every argument advanced for
assaEe or the bin 81 tho hearings
elG two years ago is doubly true to
ay. The plight or the poorer paid r
PmpIoye. the men and II
omen receiving less than ST. 10 ;,
ear and there are thousands Of
hem--is depIorable. with the basic
ecessities soaring skyward these
.orkerS can scarcely keep body and II
Oul together. For the Congress TO a
snorc their pleas would be inhumane d
nd unjust The Government is ask IL
* private employers having war Il
Ontracts 20 take into consideration "a
lcreased living costs in fixing wage A
-sndards. j. IAN do no lees itself G.
. its capacity a. an employer.
Congress Us The agency TO which c.
Iese pOUrer-paii Government work
s must appeal Tles are doing so {
. an orderly fashion. ~ We fail to II
'spond "" stamp ourselves as will >
~ 1" puj the Government in The m
osiiion OF ~ eating its employ Is
practice We have denounced In n