The Washington times., 1919-12-20
SH|PSAT SEA
At MERCY Of
LOWEST PAID
Safety Depends on instruments
Made by Low Salary Men,
Commission Told

The safety OF ships at sea is en-
trusted by the Government to men
whom 1t pays $1,000 and less per year
to shoulder such a responsibility. ac-
cording to testimony given before the
Congressional Joint Commission on
Reclassification of Salaries this morn
ing by the skilled and unskilled trades
OF the Federal service.
III. X. Harring, of the Bureau of
Standards, in presenting a brief for
instrument makers. told Of low wages
paid men upon whom depends the
accuracy to the microscopic part Of an
inch In measurement. and to the low
est fractional part Of weights.
He declared that such instruments,
with which the scientific work of the
Government is carried on. ara made
by men paid less than laborcrs. He
said that the work of these men is SO
skilled that instruments made by
them are frequently copied and be-
come articles of commerce.
Delicate Instruments.
Mr.. Harring explained that the In
struments Of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey are set and checked up by
these men. among the lowest paid
workers in existence" and Upon the
computations Of these instruments the
safety of navigation hinges
Edward R. Williams, of the Bureau
or Engraving and Printing, was
spokesman for the machinists of the
bureau and the Government Printing
Office, who asked for $3.50 per day
retroactive from November /, 1918.
By q detailed table, giving compre-
hensive wage and working conditions
for machinists in outside employment,
it was shown that such q scale pre-
vailed elsewhere.
The committee headed by Mr. Will
liams declared that machinists in the
Bureau and Printing Office were beign
Disseminated against A pamphlet
from the Secretary OF the Treasury
under date OF April I, 1917, was sub
mitted to prove this contention. This
pamphlet appealed to the patriotism
Of the machinists to stay in their Do
sitions at that time.
1t was argued that they were not
permitted to take advantage OF higher
wages and better working conditions
in other branches Of the Government.
The machinists took the position that
the Government should have .eitht
this order OF met the higher
rates Of pay.
Chsuccessful E60rts.
Mr.. Williams enumerated frequent
unsuccessful efforts Of the machinists
to get an equitable scale. He de-
clared that there was a time when the
Government paid from 10 to 20 per
cent more for this class Of employees
than outside industries, but that the
reverse was now true.
William r.. Kelly, chief electrician
at st. Elizabeth's, headed the commit
tee representing the building and
metal trades. The committee recon-
mended the establishment of a wage
adjustment and condition board to
keep in touch with the changing scale
for these employees and report to the
proper authorities in order that an
equitable wage may be in effect at
all times.
1t was pointed out that the highest
skilled were the only class OF workers
practical to the efficient use by the
Government. A minimum wage equal
to the highest paid by private con-
Germs was urged.
Among other recommendations
made by this committee were: Sat
urday half-holiday throughout the
department to another; double pay
for overtime, Sundays and holidays:
IS pc rcent extra pay for night work p:
retirement; lump sum appropriations;
and four years a premiership.
Unskilled Trades.
Charles F. Dodge, Of st. Elizabeth's,
was spokesman for the unskilled
trades. These employees asked for a
basis salary of $3.50. Some laborers
of this class of Government employees
are now receiving $400 per year, plus
the bonus of $40. it was stated. Ii
was emphasized that the average en-
ploye works seven days a week.
Lee r. Downs, chief of tho wood
working shop of the Bureau OF
standards. in presenting the brief for
he carpenters. asked that scale b.
established equal to the highest paiG
.arpenters in outside employment.
1t was declared that the services
II office appliance repairers and me
shanics were among the most under
yalued in the Government by John E
Richardson, expert mechanician OF
he Interior department., who repre-
iented this group of employees. H.
Emphasized the many hours of over
ime required of these workers with.