Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-06-08
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
SUNDAY. s, 1919
POSSIBILITY OF WAGE CONTROL.

There is one possibility that does
not seem to have been much discussed
If the railways be bought by the
government, will not all railroad
workers be restricted and paid under
a system in vogue in the postoffice
department and other government
activities? And at similar rates?
Government railway and postoffice
clerks have organizations and might
paralyze public business were they
permitted to strike to secure results
by collective bargaining or organized
pressure, in campaigns. Or upon con-
gress.
Their unions and associations have
long complained of poor pay and of
unfair treatment. But government
employees cannot so easily put things
over as do railway and labor unions,
which can tackle industrial or railway
companies one after another and win
out.
Postoffice department clerks and
all other federal employees are de-
pendent upon salaries arbitrarily fixed
by congress every two years, and rare
w changed. A department cannot
bargain ordinarily with an individual
or union. Departments have no
option to increase compensation of
poorly paid men when an emergency
calls for justice.
Neither easily nor quickly can a
remedy be provided, as at present is
the case under war power manage
ment of railways. Did the govern
ment own the lines an administrator
would have no power to adjust. 1t
would be for congress. and to secure
action would take time Probably
conditions would arise when increases
might be halted. for financial rea-
sons.
Illustrating some of the difficulties
of government employees in getting
action is an appeal just received by
the Albuquerque Morning Journal
from the Chicago Post Office Clerks
union.
Here is the request of the post
office clerks, accompanying statis-
teal pamphlet prepared for submits
sion to congress:
I'VE submit for your kind consider
alton the enclosed document. 1t is the
postal workers statement regarding
the insufficiency Of the wages paid
them,
Our wages do not enable us to
meet the high cost of living; do not
remunerate us for highly specialized
work and certainly do not compare
favorably with wages paid in other
industries. Consequently, capable
men can not be secured by the service,
which in turn makes for deterioration
of the service to. the public.
The ratio of wages and cost Of liv-
ing is about the same all over the
United states. The last congress has
authorized a committee to investigate
the wages of the postal workers.
1--WE sincerely hope that you can
see the justice of our contention"
The postoffice clerks salaries are
from $1,000 to $500 per year, hav-
ing been increased rs per cent within
six years, during which time cost of
Shdpic AOOuS lHCIedSeu 90 10 1UU per
cent.
The clerks state that a minimum
existence expense account in Chicago
for family of four, including two
children of school age, is $1,790.16.
Rent is placed at $500. An estimate
based on the American standard of
living is $2.20416.
The average married clerk must
seek extra employment. or his wife
must add to income by taking a posi-
ton, or take boarders. in order to
meet cost of living. The clerks are
not paid extra for night work, over
time, nor for Sunday and holiday
work.
The tabulated statement shows that
in the industries mechanics wages
are on a basis of from $1,700 to
$4,000, with added amounts for over
time, holidays and Sundays.
Postoffice clerks are under civil
service rules. If they strike they
lose their seniority, or are permanent.
~ excluded from the service