The Washington times., 1919-06-23
CUT INWAGES
SHOWS NEED
Of D. c. VOICE
District Employees Shabby
. Treatment New Argument for
Delegates to Congress.
By BILL PRICE.

- bASoA OBaGGN lGScOn 10 NOuBEGSS
and Washington in the need Of Dis
trict representation in Senate and
House is that concerning the wages
OF sttsm engineers in the water and
sewer departments of the city gov
eminent. a situation that might re-
suit seriously but for the fact that
these employees, all members Of the
fSteam Engineers Union. are loyal
and conservative. and will take no
drastic action pending probable cor
rection OF their difficulties by Con-
gress.
The number of these employees is
rot large about thirty-five, but in
the same class with them are close
TO 500 other valuable employees whose
services are not so skilled and nee
essary to public health, although
their cause is as just. Being or
Ranized. the union men are in posi-
tion to act as a whole. The others,
mechanics and clerks, must be con-
tent with what they can get.
Lump sum Mt DIsPOcnI.
In the fiscal year now ending, the
District Commissioners, having a
lamp sum appropriation at their dis
posal. raised the former statutory
wages Of their assistants. hremen.
and oilers from 8 maximum OF $1,000
TO a maximum of s2,241, about the
wages prevailing among skilled men
Of this class in private employment
That is engineers since July / last
have been paid $2,241; assistant en-
zineers, $l.7s1: firemen. $1.5ss; and
oilers, $1,12o.
The Commissioners asked the ap-
nropristion committees to put these
men on a statutory basis beginning
July l next at substantially the sa1a-
Aries they new get. In both House and
Senate the request has been over
looked, and the District bill as 1t
stands now fixes the contemplated pay
At SL44O. S1.240. S1.14O, and $3.50, re-
spectively. the losses ranging from
1901 each to $3.50. each.
old and Faithful Employees.
Some of these men nthe water
and sewer departments have been
With the District government twenty
ave years. From loyal motives they
accepted wages below what they could
have obtained outside for a long time.
getting no substantial increases IN
iii the present fiscal year. They now
say frankly that they can not remain
in the District service at the reduced
salaries. II compelled to leave they
probably will not strike, simply quit
individually and go where they can
get Just pay for their work The en-
gfneers can get 81 per day in private
employment. Lack of skilled men to
handle the great engines and pumps
Of the sewer and water departments
might have far-reaching results in
Washington.
Steam engineers in the District are
compelled to pass rigid examinations
before a board Of examiners before
. obtaining engineers licenses. Even
II the District could get competent
engineers at S1,440 per annum, 1t
would take a long time for them to
become familiar with their duties.
II was understood today that Ser
ator Curtis, OF the Senate Appropria-
lions Committee, has asked the Com
IlissioneTs for a statement OF the sit
nation. and will receive a reply. His
Intention is said to be to correct the
salary omission by hmving proper ap-
propriations arranged for in ths
sundry civil bill, which is to be con-
sidered this week BY the Senate com |
nittee. The engineers are hopeful |
that their present wages of 1915 per |
day, with the annual bonus, will be |
restored through the sundry civil bill |
They will do nothing until there IS |
action by Congress.
The Lesson Involved.
The lesson involved in all this and |
many other important local questions 1
before Congress is that Congress 10
that Congress is occupied on great |
national problems. and can not enter |
the fully and symcathetically into /
local questions. The Commissioners |
do not have the entire at all times |
20 committee meetings to follow the /
many recommendations they make. /
with Senators and Representative |
IN Congress to do this the interests |
OF the District would be kept in |
touch with at all stages. and cOrrec- |
lions made by these officials when /
necessary. Repeated plumbers OF past /
ears, more often due 10 inattentiOn |
and conconcern that TO deliberate dis
--egard Of the recommen dations of
the Commissioners. would have been
avoided. Many injustices that exist
IN salaries Of District employees gen
orally could be corrected.
II Congress. the national legis-
Iature, is TO continue 10 be the town
council for Washington, making ap-
YsFopFiations for salaries OF assistant |
dog catchers, street cleaners. and all |
classes OF employees, then Congress
should favor Congressional repre-
eeutation for the District, so that 1
these representatives may advise with
Congress on all subjects, big and
little, and aid in correcting bIunders
that are often made because the Com
ynissioners are not able to pursue
closely in detail that which they know
best is needed for the District