The Washington herald., 1921-03-03


publieatfon I'm the Open C~srt
are requested 90 make their
eeatributiens 200 words OF hess
ANSWERS SENATOR
SHOOTS CHARGES.
To the Editor The washinstou Herald.
In answer to Senator Smoot's
charges Of idleness in government
departments, may the personnel OF
the Bureau of War Risk Insurance
enter through the medium Of The
Washington Herald a plea for JUS
tice to the High Court Of Public
Opinion" in behalf Of the down
trodden government employer I'm
fortunately there are slsckers in
every army. but the public must re-
alize that in spite Of a few exam
pies Of "slackerism." which Senator
Smoot may have in mind. the en-
pIoyes of Uncle Sam are the finest
group of refined, well-educated and
truly conscientious workers in the
Industrial army of the United
States-incidentally Of the world.
They render loyal and faithful
services for the money they receive.
meager though that amount may be
in many cases. They earnestly
seek those methods which will
make for the highest efficiency m
their work. They constantly arise
to the occasion when overtime work
is required, although they know
that by law no compensation is al
lowed for the sacrifice Of their few
golden hours of relaxation. Clearly.
Senator Smoot, whatever idleness
you may have found in govern
mental departments rests not with
the average government employe.
The employees of the various de-
partmsnts do conscientiously the
work allotted for them to DO. Where
there is idleness, may the High
Court" realize that the responsible
ity lies with the official who has the
power to correct such a condition.
Often there is a cessation in the
flow Of work which creates idle
ness. and IL unavoidable, such in
activity Is usually followed by an
enormous rush OF work. necessitat-
ing the idle clerks TO more than
make up for their lost time. IN
most part. at their own expense.
We ask you. Senator Smoot. have
you ever examined the book OF sig
natures in the office OF the captain
of the watch of the Bureau OF War
Risk Insurance. which gives a con-
vincing record of the employees who
have found il necessary 10 return
to work in the evening? Have you
ever found all of the ofhces unoc-
cupied and dark in the Arlington
Building after 3 o'clock at night
Do you know the large percentage
Of government employees engaged
in increasing the value OF their ser
vices to their government by TAX.
ing courses Of study after once
hours? A large percentage Of con
scientious workers such invsstiGs-
tions would reveal and these faith
full employees represent a part OF the
personnel Of your favorite bureau.
Stop abusing the government
clerk, Senator Smoot, long enough
to construct some real corrective
measures that will truly accomplish
the results you seek. The sttituds\
Of the employe reflects the attitude
Of the administration officials. We.
the employees of Uncle Sam. are At
present neglected. No one has our
interests at heart. with the excep-
ton Of a few cases in the newly
created bureaus The majority OF
older government departments
should have a well organized, mod
ern, business-like personnel drri-
sion. or section. which would cor
rect many of the faults now being
blamed upon the innocent govern
ment clerk. The personnel Of the
various government departments
needs constructive thought, not de-
structive criticism.
The greatest business problem
today is the human problem OF la
Dor and the wise handling OF en-
ployes This has been realized in
the Bureau Of War Risk Insurance,
but how many of our government
officials do realize il? The study or
and attention TO the selection and
the general welfare OF the person
mel, as well as the development OF
cooperation among employees, fur
nish the best method Of increasing
government efficiency and eliminat-
ing idleness.
The government employees desire
the High Court OF Public Opinion"
TO richtfully place the blame. IL any,
for such idleness as Senator Smoot
has noted. 1dleness on the part of
government clerks. except in cases
where the uneven flow OF work -
unavoidable, means that one or
more superiors or officials are guilty
OF poor judgment, mismanagement.
carelessness, or ignorance. But. we
beg to state. Senator Smoot. that
no person can walk through a gov
eminent department and Judge
fairly the character or efficiency or
inefficiency of the clerks employed.
We, the army OF Uncle Sans en-
ployes. earnestly beseech the High
Court" TO realize what we most sin
cerely believe-that practically in
every case of inefficiency in govern
ment service the full responsibility
for such rests upon our officials or
the systems they employ.
Cannot the Congress Of thes-
United states correct this condition.
We believe, Senator Smoot, that a
part OF the responsibility lies with
you.
DEBORA E. WOOD.
Representing the Employees Of the
Bureau OF War Rish Insurance.
IRISH CAUSE - NOT CUES
TION.-
To the Editor The Washington Herald.
Mr.. T. E Raymond fbfs manning