Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-20
WAGE ADJUSTMENT
B0ARDFOR SKILLED
TRADES IS URGED
Building and Metal Workers
Ask RecIassifierS to So
! Recommend.

Creation Of a wage adjustment and
condition board for the skilled trades
was urged at the hearing of the
building and metal trades before the
joint congressional commission on re-
classification of salaries in the Dis
trict today. The commission was
Congress.
THE function of the general wage
adjustment and condition board for
the skilled trades" declared William
+. Kelly, chief electrician of st. Eliza
beth's Hospital. in presenting a brief
TO the commission. would he to
recommend annually to the secre-
1aries of the various departments a
fair and equitable wage and the adop-
ton of proper working conditions, to-
Eether with report stating in full
all changes in wages or conditions of
any class of any trade or occupation
The brief suggested that the wage
adjustment board could be required
to avail itself of all data in the De-
partment of Labor and elsewhere in
the government service affecting
wages and conditions of the skilled
trades and to make a diligent inquiry
AT the principal private mechanical
establishments as to wages overtime
rates. ETC.. of the women and men of
different classes in each trade or oc-
cupation included in the skilled trade
schedule of the government service.
COmmittee's Recommendations.
The committee headed by Mr.. Kelly
recommended that the government
adopt as it's minimum wage rate for
the skilled trades the highest rate
paid by private employers land in
sure thereby to itself the securing of
the highest skilled employees in the
various trades and crafts. says the
brief presented.
'1n this respect we believe that
lump sum appropriations by Congress
could be so regulated as to conserve
the governments interests and make
the payment of the prevailing rate of
wages to mechanics and others pos
sible." said the brief.
The following recommendations
were made:
"A one-half day every Saturday.
THE privilege of transfer from one
department to another upon present.
ing good reasons therefore.
Double the regular rate of wages
for all work performed in excess of
eight hours and on Sundays and holi-
days.
twenty-five per cent advance over
the regular wage for all work per-
formed on night shifts.
That annual sick and special oc-
casion leaves of absence rules that
apply to other branches of the gov
eminent service be made applicable
to the trades and crafts in this group
The adoption of an equitable re-
firement bill"
1t was recommended that all ap-
prentices receive a minimum wage of
- per day the first year. IS a day the
second year and IS a day after three
years service.
Ask $3.50 Per Diem BE Retroactive.
In presenting a brief declaring
rate of $3.50 per diem necessary for
printing office machinists in the gov
of the bureau of engraving and print.
ing. asked that such rate be made
retroactive to November 1, 1918. Mr..
Williams told of efforts made by the
men to get the same rates as are now
being paid in New York. and pre-
scented the Redistribution commission
with documents showing the wages
paid by New York publishers. Mr..
Williams spoke in favor Of q wage
and condition board for the skilled
trades.
Other Workers Represented.
John E. Richardson of the Interior
department, presenting separate
br1ef for miscellaneous trades, includ-
ing office appliance repairers, said
that since his discharge from the
Army. January 29, 1919. he had aver
aged at least an hours overtime work
9 day. and that he had been glad to
do 1t for the good of the service"
H. K Harring of the bureau of
standards asked for increased salaries
for the instrument makers in the gov
eminent departments who make the
Instruments used in fixing standards
tapes used by. the coast and geodetic
survey and other delicate work.