The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-06-06
THOUSANDS
kept ON PAyROLlS
TO FIX THINGS
Congressman Discover Why Army
of Clerks Remain in Wash
ington

Washington, June 5.-Investigation
OF those preparing for investigation
may be one of the early works of
congress.
In the recess it was believed there
would be wholesale releasing of the
extra official and clerical forces that
were modified here for the prosecu-
ton of the war, but senator's and
members of the house, returning to
resume their duties, comment freely
upon the presence in Washington Of
tens of thousands of highly paid
clerks who, it was supposed, would
have been separated from the payroll
surely within holt year of the ter
mination of hostilities. Many, of
their own volition, have resigned and
returned to their homes to resume
peaceful pursuits, but Washington is
still damned by those brought here
for the emergency.
Congressman were first struck by
the overcrowded conditions when
they attempted to obtain quarters for
themselves and their families. They
found all houses taken and apart
ments overcrowded by the "war
workers. who are still drawing their
salaries.
Some of the more inquisitive con-
gressmen have made quiet but rather
intimate investigation of their own.
They found that while hundreds of
extra clerks are actually needed to
bring things back to normal, hun
dreds of others are apparently doing
nothing but preparing voluminous re-
ports and histories of the operations
of the scores of bureaus in way
most favorable to those respon-
sible.
During the war congress patriotic
ally poured literally billions of dol
lars to every branch of government
that appealed for funds as necessary
to the final triumph. All that was
needed to get money was the state
ment from the proper official that the
sum was needed.
But the protests which have spread
through the whole country over
waste and incompetency, have brought
congress to a position where an &C
COUNT will now be demanded. Gen
orally speakinp. there is hardly sem
ator or house member in WASHINGTON
who does not carr concrete instances
of inefficiencv in handling soldiers
allotments. the failure of the insur-
ance bureau to function, unsatisfac-
tory equipment of soldiers in the
field. transportation concessions that
have cost the consumer millions and
other examples of administrative
breakdowns.
The suffering of fathers. mothers
and other relatives of soldiers be-
cause allotments and insurance were
not received within a reasonable time
furnishes one of the most intensely
human interest features of the war
The soldiers who were deprived of
what little pleasure thew have been
able to obtain because their pay was
months late in reaching them have
let their representatives know inst
what they think of those RESPONSIBLE
for the scandals which were not dis
cussed before November II because
If the militia laws that prohibit crit
icism.
Congress gave unstinted libcralitv
hut now that the war is over and won
the LEGISLATORS have learned from their
constituencies that the wave of waste
must he ended. AS these mnmhe-e
have found that the taxnavnr is still
FURNISHING hundreds of thousands If
dollars for clerks whose work is in
getting ont rennrts most favorable to
the "hoss." the immediate elimination
If this surplus force will be the. OBJ
iective of resolutions that are soon
TO he expected in the house of rep
resentatives.