The Washington times., 1920-08-24
CUT
ASG.O.P.|SSUE
MilIer's Proposition to Drop
100000 Taken as Indica-
ton of Party Policy.

Charging the Administration will
waste and extravaganza" In main
tanning a force OF 760,l10 employees
during peace-times. Clarence B. Mil
Ter. secretary OF the Republican Ma
tional Committee In "A statement just
made public holds that the Govern
ment can continue efficient service by
dismissing at least 100000 employees
from its annual payroll.
That the Republican party intends
question one of the issues OF the
campaign is indicated in the course
that Mr.. Miller is taking in attacking
the Administration for maintaining
more than 100000 clerks In Wash
ington nearly two years after the
signing OF the armlstice.
Replying to criticism OF his re-
mi,~ks before the kiwanis Club in
w shington when he repudiated the
Administration for reckless employ
ment." Mr.. Miller directs his latest
attack in the shape of letter to
Luther G. Steward, president OF the
National Federation of Federal EN-
ployes.
WOULD CUT II. G. l..
MIR. Miller said that on June 80.
1913 there were 301S9 Government
employees in Washington under the
Taft ad administration and 39o,563 en-
ployes outside the District of Column
bia, making total of 42O.752. On
February 20. 1920 the number employ
cd in Washington had increased to
lOO,11O: the number outside the Dis
trict was 65O,000 making total Of
76O.11O.
"One way to reduce the high cost
of living" said Miller, 'is to cut
off needless Government expenditures.
am saying that any large number
OF unnecessary employees in the Govern
ment service increases the cost of
living. Any system of government
of government nuder which ten men
are kept busy on a job which Ave
men can do is wasteful and extrava-
CANT"
Mr.. Miller claims that on April s,
1917, Government employees numbered
465, ,4S3, or an increase of some As,
during the four years of the Wilson
administration.
The civil Service Commission takes
exception to Millers figures for Feb
ruary 90 1920, declaring that only
81 .956 employees were in Washington
at that time. Showing why there has
been an Increase the bureau referred
to great increases in the Treasury
Department, made necessary by the
income and excess profits tax laws
operation, the operation of the War
Risk Insurance and other activities
growing out OF the war.
SEE NO DECREASE.
Despite reduced appropriations by
Congress the Civil Service Commits
sion does not expect any great de-
crease in the number OF employees in
the District of Columbia during this
fiscal year. The total number of en-
ployes dismissed. it is generally be-
lieved, will be little more than a drop
in the bucket, as others are being
employed from time to time in new
Mr.. Miller declares his proposition
was TO discharge the hordes OF Gov
eminent employees taken on during
the war period ana get Dack to at
least 100000"
when Mr.. Steward says there are
about 100000 employees he is mistak e M
by simply 10000" declares Miller.
Instead of there being 10000 left
to do the Government work, there
will be 10000 exclusive OF the Post
office Department, as many as were
ever required during peace years.
Those who remain in the service to
do the Governments work should be
competent and should receive pay rea
sonablc and proper for the work they