The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-15
KEEP UPF|GHT
.FORD.C. BONUS
Still Hope Provision for United
States Employees Will Pre-
vail in Congress.
CONTINUED from First Page

increasing the salaries OF these me-
in these two departments" said
Mapes. that they would get the bonus
IT, addition to the salaries fixed a:
that time. That statement was made
In the report OF the COMMITTEE at the
time. 1t was made definitely on the
floor OF the House in the considera-
ton OF one of the bills In rolloqy
between the gentleman from New
York. Mr.. Gould and the gentleman
from New York, Mr.. Snyder.
1T WAS the general understanding
of the members OF the District Com
mittee. The men in these depart
ments are men with families. They
are much in need of additional pay.
"Qn my home last night. while
waiting for q car. l saw an adver-
tisement. in q window of one OF the
stores, for policemen and ffremen in
the District OF Columbia, asking ap-
plicAnts to apply to the Civil Service
Commission Both departments are
away behind in their personnel and 1t
Is very difficult to get men N this
service under the present conditions.
"If anyone Is to receive a bonus, II
seems to me the policemen and the
firemen are entitled to It," Chairman
Mapes declared.
DALLINGER LINES UP.
Congressman Dallinger 10 another
who will como to the support of the
policemen and firemen- He had pre-
pared yesterday two amendments
striking out those paragraphs in the
bill that denied them the bonus and
which denied the bonus also to en-
ployes Of the navy yard. arsenals. and
other bureaus whose pay Is fixed by
wage boards.
He declared the civilian employees
at the arsenals had been deprived OF
the bonus by an indirect method. or
all the employees OF the Government,
these and the firemen and policemen
are most deserving OF bonus. he
declared.
Other leaders OF Government en-
ployes likewise expressed confidence
that the 32%0 bonus eventually would
be restored.
Miss Gertrude NJ. McNally. promi-
nent among the organized women
employees OF the Government, in com
menting on Blanton's point of order,
declared: ct perhaps was to be ex-
pected. There is nothing startling In
Mr.. Blanton's action. While there IL
danger in most anything, the en-
ployes do not for a moment fear the
bonus will be taken away from them
1t simply means more work for US
in seeing that IT is continued"
POLICEMEN HOPEFUL.
In police and fire circles today
Blanton's course was regarded as re-
fiecting more than a faint hope that
they would not only receive the
bonus. but at an increased amount
to S24o. Heretofore the policemen
and firemen were given only $3.50
which amount was carried In the
District appropriation bill as II came
from the House Appropriations Com
mittee.
Friends Of the police and firemen In
the House yesterday were ready to
offer an amendment in their behalf
when Congressman Blanton's action
upset their plans.
Chairman Mapes yesterday spoke in
favor Of the bonus for the police and
firemen, and declared that Congress
man Gould, chairman Of the sub com
mittee which drafted the bill revising
the pay in those services, also favor
ed the extension Of the bonus until
reclassiflcation legislation can be en-
acted.
LOOK TO CURTIS.
The police and firemen. as we'll as
other Government employees, are PIN
ming their hopes in the Senate on
Chairman Curtis, of the Senate sub
committee in charge of the District APP
preparation bill. Senator Curtis to.
day announced his determination to
fight for equal treatment OF all Dis
trict employees in the matter OF the
bonus, and other influential Senate
leaders expressed a like intention. so
that the employees generally rest at
ease in the belief that the bonus will
not be taken away from them.
The privilege Of the bonus, which
was extended as wartime emer-
gency measure to relieve the in
creased cost of living. Is at present
enjoyed by approximately 100000
civilian employees of the Govern
ment, at an annual cost of about
&40,000,000. Through the Lehlbach
rcclassification bill. this amount
would be added as a permanent in
crease and some employees would
have their salaries advanced still