Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-07
FIFTY YEARS. AGO IN THE STAR


Nobody pretends that the spring bal
ances weigh anything with more
than approximate accuracy. We DO
not say that the weight given VIII
always be under weight, but IT will
rarely be accurate. as any one knows
them by the Fairbanks scales. the
old. fashioned steelyards. the beam
scale or any standard test. The fact
Is the spring balances are so notori-
ously inaccurate and capable OF be1nG
used fraudulently that the public
other things being equal. they patron
ize those dealers who do not use
them. Consequently the butcherss III
they are wise, will voluntarily change
them for something more reliable.
They certainly are putting them
selves in an undesirable position by
so strenuously insisting upon their
use"
Higher officials of the government
were fifty years ago recognising the
inadequacy OF the
nano r+mantel prevailing system OF
departmental CLASH
fromotlonS. fcations regarding
salaries and duties. In The Star OF
December 3, 1869, is a news item pear
ing on this matter:
"In his annual report Hon. Reader
w. Clarke, late third auditor OF tne
Treasury, speaking of the pay or gov
eminent clerks, says: The best meth
cd of graduating the compensation is
not clear. 1t requires too much MI
nuteness of detail for congressional
action and may want uniformity II
left to heads Of departments or TO
heads of bureaus Much complaint
prevails among the clerks IN regard
to compensation generally. ana very
Justly, so, as believe. This would
be greatly ameliorated by enlarglnG
the door of advancement. NO CLERK
should be advanced except upon mer-
it, and when he clearly merits 1t ne
should have it. Open up to them this
opportunity and it will impart an IN
spiration to every clerk. mt lot any
employment and he will strive to de-
serve position where re- th e.. pay BAYS IS
stiles If, with such opportunity to
OBTAIN better pay. he still drags along
a frst class clerk. there would seem
to be no just demand further TO pro-
vide for him. BY this rule there
clerks to each particular class. but as
many as deserved to take rank In any
class should have it, with it's pay.
This would put an end to all clamor
for 90 per cent, or other temporary
expedients for raising compensation
and at the same time do no injustice
to the government, for it simply sub
jects itself to pay the laborer what 1T
admits he merits and is simply his
due. 1t is expected. of course. THAT In
adopting this rule great care VIII pc
taken in the matter Of examination
~ 10 a.
motions. 1t would be important not
only to look to the capacity for duty,
but also to the facility of execution.
1t may not be too much to assume
that one efficient expert clerk can
readily perform the labor or two OF
be to diminish the number and In
crease the compensation and ulti-
mately prove itself a decided economy
to the government. Fewer men would
do more work and better. and for less
money, and no one would complain OF
inadequate compensation"
4 s. IT,.
It would seem from the following
news note in The Star of December 4.
1853. that mems
Evening Dress styles in evening
dress at that time
10r men. were not materially
different from the fashion prevalent
today: ,-s --.. -,.
"rhe correct style for full evening
dress is a black dress coat. with velvet
collar and plain lapels. rolling low. A
black embroidered cashmere vest Is
the most fashionable this season,
though white marseilles vests are
much worn. cut low to show three
shirt studs. with rolling collar, ana
are in good taste. When a plain black
dress vest is worn a facing OF white
'marseiI1es or silk is frequently sewed
inside the collar. but Is not used As
muh as formerly. Trousers are MADE
of a fine black doeskin, cut easy to the
leg and with a good spring at the
bottom. The shirt bosom should be
neatly embroidered and the studs jew
eled, small diamonds being the most
dressy. The tie should always be
white, the ends little larger than in
the center, and embroidered. Gloves.
also white. though a light lavender or
a pale cream color is often worn.
Boots of plain calfskin. not patent
leather. For an informal party where
full dress IS not expected blue
black cloth frock or English walking
coat is the correct style. with a white
double breasted vest showing little
above the coat. and either plain Law
ender-colored or black trousers may
be worn, with lavender-colored gloves
nd a black tie" 80 -. r.E-. -a.-5 r.