Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-14
D. c. WORKERS
TO LOSE BONUS
Commissioner Kutz Upho|ds
Recommendation of
Wage Board.


ing with Joseph H. Hurley. president
of the City Employees Association,
and Attorney Frank J. Hogan, Engi-
neer Commissioner Kutz announced
that the Recommendation Of the wage
board not to increase the pay of Dis
trio laborers July ! would be adopted.
This means the nearly 1000 skilled
and unskilled per diem workers paid
from District funds will not get the
bonus of $240 to be paid other classes
of government operatives for the ifs
cal year beginning on that date.
Men to Meet Tonight.
Whether the decision is to result in
walkout of the employees probably
will be decided at a mass meeting
to be held tonight in o Street Armory.
Mr.. Hurley declined to predict what
action would be taken.
The wage board has reduced the
basic rate OF pay to the point where
they will exactly absorb the addi-
tional bonus Of 1920 to be given gov
bonus offsets the reductions, so that
the pay remains the same as that
now given the men. According to
the wage board, whose opinion 10
sustained by the Commissioners, Con-
gress in the act granting the bonus
lowed with respect to per diem en-
ployes whose rates of pay are ad-
justed from time to time by wage
boards.
Mr.. Hogan's Argument.
Attorney Hogan. retained by the as
sociation to present to the Commits
sioners hts Interpretation OF this act,
argued before Commissioner Kutz this
M In hn< g. n
reefs In the law that the bonus shall
be added to the present basic rates
now paid the per diem forces.
Mr.. Hogan maintained that the ref
bonuses when adjusting rates applies
to the future, after the bonus shall
have been added to the existinG rates.
He insisted no legal Interpretation Of
the act could sustain the view that
the present rates are to be reduced
increased compensation to be paid in
the form of q bonus.
Failing to obtain Col. Kutz's concur
renee in his Interpretation Of the act,
Mr.. Hogan suggested that the Com
missioners refer the legal questions
involved to committee of three law
yers, one Of whom, he proposed.
should be the corporation counsel He
said 1t was not his purpose to ques-
ton tho policies OF the Commission
ers, but that he thought there should
be legal Interpretation of the law
authorizing the payment Of bonuses.
This request was denied.
Ask for Voice on Wage Board.
Preceding and following the confer
ence with Mr.. Hurley and Attorney
Hogan Commissioner Kutz received
representatives of the National Fed
GRAFTON of Federal Employees and
Local 50. the municipal government
branch of that organization, relative
to giving the employees q representa-
tive on the wage board. Commissioner
Kutz expressed sympathy with the
principle and said that the matter
would be carefully Investigated. 1t is
considered probable the wage board
will be reorganized to give the repre-
sentation requested.
Aside from the question of pay of
laborers, the Commissioners are con-
sidering returning to a statutory basis
a number Of employees who were put
on the per diem rolls at increased pay
during the war. 1t is said that there
are about nifty men whose pay will be
considerably reduced If this action is
taken,