The Washington herald., 1918-03-14
CAPITOLCOPS
YEARNING FOR
BOOST IN PAY
Sponsor of Guardians D
clares They Have Been De
MED Adequate Wages.

Ever since Noah landed in Rock
Creek Park the Capitol police force
has been getting the same made
quate salary. Notwithstanding the
fact that the high cost Of living has
cut considerable OF q swath since
Noah's days.
Profiteers have gotten in their
deadly work all along the line with
government employees, but nowhere
have their ravages been any more
pronounced than among the faith
full and loyal men who take their
lives in their hands every day OF
the year to see that the National
Capitol Is protected properly. Most
of them get 81 q month now. and
s5 per cent receive less than 800
montA
Now like the worm they have
turned. and In a modest way have
asked The Herald to take up their
cause and explain their reasons for
wanting living fiat salaries ranging
from s1.44O to $500 . year. instead
of the small increase embodied in
the graduated scale system.
Explains Case.
Last night w. NJ. Hairston, one
of these guards. sent forth a mes
sage to the outside world that tells
its own story as to why the relief
sought should be granted.
Mr.. Hairston is actuated by un-
selfish motives in his explanation.
because he contemplates quitting
his job some day and engaging in
other pursuits. Consideration for
his associates was his sole object in
making the statement that follows:
"Nlnety-five per cent Of the Cap
itol police force Is drawing less
than 800 per month" said Mr..
Hairston. The force is divided in
to three divisions: one known as
the plain clothes men, who get ST
a. month; the second grade, known
as men in uniform, receive $96.25.
and three or four others who get
$l05 a month each.
Now all these men do absolutely
the same work, and they are on
duty from Christmas eve to Christ
mas eve, and never cease their vigi-
lance at the adjournment or recess
ing of Congress-it is all the same
to them.
I'VE claim that the logical thing
to do is to equalize their salaries
before applying the graduated scale
OF raise, and that this Is imperative
for the reason that the men per-
form ldentically the same character
OF work.
7 claim that the Capitol police
force is OF such Importance that 1t
is entitled to a distinct individual
ity. headed with a captain and
lieutenants as other metropolitan
police forces are, the policing of the
Capitol being imperative and there
fore indispensable, its members are
entitled to a reasonable stipend
one sufficient to maintain the prac-
tical necessities Of life.
at is amazing to me how such
glaring discrimination in the sal
aries of the Capitol police was ever
permitted by Congress, ranging as
It does from SIT to $1O5 per month.
Il claim further that the Capitol po-
lice is the most important branch of
the service in connection with the
Capitol; is the poorest paid and hard
est worked excepting those engaged
at common labor.
without an equalization OF salaries,
the graduated scale will not reach the
malady, and the low rate OF increase
proposed will still leave the man who
Is not getting enough in the ditch, and
will give the man who is getting bare
ly enough to live on little to lay by.
whereas, his colabofer. engaged in the
same work. will not be given enough
to meet his absolute and indispen-
able necessities.
I'VE claim moreover that the Capt.
tol police are entitled to as much
pay as the messengers and door
keepers of both the Senate and
House
I'VE stand for a fiat salary of 81, 40
per year for the men of the force; 81
$50 for the three lieutenants of the
force, and 81, 800 for the captain. which
amount he is getting now"
According to Mr.. Hairston, Senator
Hoke Smith, of Georgia, and Repre-
sentative William Schley Howard. OF
the Congressional district of Georgia
in which the city of Atlanta is situat-
ed, are both strongly in favor of the
movement for an increase of pay
along the lines suggested.
1t is thought active steps In the di-
rection of securing the relief demand
ed by the Capitol police force will be
taken before Congress within the next