The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-29

ohN Wv Ja"y oAA' s6
than 1000 Government emp
Behind him stood Burd w. Payne
president OF Local No. 2. Federal EN-
pioyes' Union, visibly embarrassed at
the responsibility resting upon him
and the "insulting" OF the guest OF
the evening, who was present upon
of the union.
Shouts of Call the police" rose
above the uproar. II don't need any
help. can take care of myself"
BlAnton roAred. and threw a chai-
lenSe to meet all corners face to face
GUARDS TAKE HAND.
But the police were already there.
Not the Metropolitan police. but the
entire night guard Of the building
was masssd In the auditorium to
meet such an expected emergency,
and the uniformed and bebadged Of
hcers ducked about tho room grab
bling this and that Government en-
ploys and thrusting them In their
seats.
Tho evening started peacefully
enough with Blanton portraying a
pastoral scene down in Texas. in
teen cows. AS a boy OF ten years.
Blanton related that he MIXED these
cows every morning. fed all the stock.
carted the milk to q neighboring
town, and retailed II. and then re-
turned to have breakfast and begin
his days work. He gave this bit OF
autobiography to support his asser-
tion that Government workers have
. cinch Job with their seven-hour day.
Following this. the Congressman
affectionately introduced himself as
Tom" Just plain "Tom. a friend Of
tho Government employee, and not the
enemy have been represented to be.
And whatever has been said about
Blanton hit below the belt"
AUDIENCE "REMEMBERs.,
But tom" was in = peculiar posi-
tion. And he knew It. Everyone in
his audience seemed to remember that
within the last ten days ne had held
UP tho much-cherished $40 bonus In
the House on q point OF order, and
judging from his attitude last night
the Government employees stand a fair
chance OF having this amount Topped
off their annual salaries. unless
II am here to tell you that when
ever you folks get the $40 bonus the
policemen and fremen of this city
will get II. too. If they don't. you
won't. I'll see to that, and see that
justice is done to ALL" Blanton en-
phasized.
And his audience had not forgotten
Toms" attitude on the floor Of the
House. where he has repeatedly fay
ed the 'loafers" in the Government
service and has jumped on the en-
ployes generally.
However, Blanton reiterated time
and time again that he was the en-
ployes' friend and justified his posi-
tion by explaining that whatever he
did was for the employees own good,
and not to their detriment. He re-
marked that he simply has been mis-
understood.
WARNED TO STAY AWAY.
Before Blanton ever got to the meet
ing last night he declared that he was
warned by anonymous letters not to
come, but to beware, and do not walk
in the employees trap. You will be
assassinated." But he came, and
whether everyone had a good time or
not cannot be accurately gagged.
Blanton knew that he was boarding
the lion in his den. and he made no
bones about 1t. He spoke straight
from the shoulder in his accustomed
straightforward manner.
He repeated what he had said on
the floor Of the House. He scored the
"drones' in the Government service
and challenged anyone to deny that
he was not riEht-that all around the
conscientiously working employees
were cigarette smoking, clock-watch-
ing clerks, who want the bonus and
an increase in pay when they do not
deserve it."
He was sure that some employees
Cheat just a little bit' on some days
when they report sick. Now, hon
estly, isn't that SOL" he asked his
audience. his question being answered
with a laugh.
JUMPS ON CLERKS.
He jumped all over certain chief
clerks who don't do q thing" In brief,
his criticism extended to about every
thing in general in the Government
service. However, he gave due credit
to the deserving and declared he was
In favor Of doubling the salaries of
such employees IL the inefficient could
DO Kicked out"
There was repeated applause. Often
1t was difficult to determine whether
1t was complimentary OF otherwise.
Occasionally ominous rumblings were
hueieu WIN INC applause. Tnts later
became more frequent, and finally the
storm broke.
Blanton referred to a book titled
Anarchy" which he said was writ
ten by William y. Foster In quoting
from this book the Congressman said
that two-thirds Of organized labor of
this country was of tho foreign ele-
ment, in which class lay the hope of
to overthrow this govern
ment
CALLS SPEAKER "LIAR.-
"And do you know that you are al
lied with such an elcment7 You are,
through your affiliation with the
Federation Of Labor" said
Blanton. And one-third Of this two
thirds cannot speak English. And
another one-third evaded military
service during tho world war"
ITS a Her. shouted Hugh Reid.
associate editor OF the Federal EN-
ploye. tho official publication Of tho
rational Federation of Federal EN-
ploycs, and formerly employed In the
ffice OF Louis Y. Post. Assistant Sec
ctary OF Labor.