The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-01-28
By EDWARD C.LoWRY
Copyright. Western Newspaper Union
WHY GOOD MEN DODGE

try 10 discover what class Of men took
civil service examinations, whether
The number is decreasing and, If 80,
the reasons, disclose wildly what the
training schools of technical and scien-
tihc men think about the government
us an employer. They warn their
graduates against government service,
and the graduates heed the warning.
Carnegie Institute Of Technology
al Pittsburgh, reports;
II is certainly true that the best Of our
graduates are not interested IN govern
ment employment because they feel that,
first Of ais Il does not pay adequate sal
aries. nor does II offer opportunity for
advancement that private enterprise does
This spring ] interviewed all the mem
beers OF the graduating class, except the
women. and none OF them would consider
government employment, although there
were many positions open. There
arc now about 1890 male graduates OF the
institute, and l will venture TO state that
not more than ten are employed by the
government
Replies Of similar tenor ana import
were received from the University OF
Chicago, Leland Stanford university,
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology,
Princeton university Indiana uniyer-
sity, and the University Of Wisconsin.
Inequality Of compensation is one
Of the chief reasons that deter scien-
tifc men from going into the govern
ment service. Congress fixes the sal
aries Of most Of the government en-
ployees. can give concrete Illus
tration Of how It determines the sal
aries OF scientific men.
DR.. Leland o. Howard aud DR.. Ed
ward W. Nelson are two scientists IN
the employ Of the government who
have national regulations.
The appropriation bin for the De
portment Of Agriculture was under
consideration In the house on January
50;h, 1920. The secretary Of ugricul-
lure had been recommending for 1--WE
or six years that Doctor Towards
salary be Increased from $4,000 to S..
900. lie proposed it again IN that
years bill. When the item was reached
In the discussion on The floor. this col.
loquy ensued.
Mr.. sta1ord-Mlster Chairman, re-
serve o point OF order on che paragraph.
is the entomologist whose salary you
propose to increase the same person rec
commended FOR an Increase last year?
Mr.. Leyer-Yes; he has been In the gov
eminent service many. many years
The Chairman make the point OF or.
der.
Mr.. Leyer-I concede It,
Mr.. Mclaughlin OF Mlchigan-Will the
gentleman reserve his point Of order?
Mr. Stanord--I will reserve a.
Mr. McIAughlin-The committee made
the recommendation 70 increase the sal.
airy $500. took testimony on IL and con,
sidered Il very carefully IN our iudg-
mont the increase in salary ought 10 be
made for an Official who has been IN the
department, as the cnairmau says. ior a
long time at the head of this bureau He
has performed aba and fslthful services
The salary V less than that paid 10 the
heads u other bureaus We felt after
listening TO all that was said, and with a
knowledge OF the work he has been doinR
and has douc, the salary proposed is not
too large.
MI stAnOrd-HoY long has he been
there2
Mr. Lsger-lie has been there forty-twc
years
Mr. staford-what Is his age9
Mr. Lever-Over sixty, perhaps nearer
seventy, but he is still vigorous and able
20 DO good work He IS one Of the
greatest ehtomolosIsts IN the world
/ The Charman-The point OF order ID
! sustained.
| Five minutes later the matter OF
Doctor Nelson's salary was reached
The secretary Of agriculture recon-
meuded an Increase Of his pay from
$500 to $4,000 This happened.
Mr. stafford-Mister Chairman. re-
serve the point Of order on the para
graph. VIII the chairman of the com.
/ mittee inform the house as 10 how long
4 this biologist mas been IN the service
/ Of the government and how long he has
/ been receiving the present salary of s. so
ON which you recommend an increase OF
A0lt
Mr.. Lever Mister Chairman. this gen.
tlennn, whose name is Nelson. has beer
/ in The service OF the department since
! November, 1890 He has served as CHIEF
Held naturalist from 1907 10 1912, and wa.
/ assistant in charge Of the biological in
/ veGtigation. from 1918 TO 1914 on August
I @, 1914 he was appointed assistant chief
OF the bureau. and on December l. lslG
! was made chief OF the bureau. He toob
/ the place OF Doctor Henshaw
1 Mr. Stafford-And the salary has beer
I $500 since 1867
/ Mr. Leyer-Yea.
Mir. stafford What is his age
I Mr.. Lever-I should think that Doctor
Nelson ia round fifty years OF age
Mr. Stafford--He Is not superannuated
Mr.. LeVer--Oh. no. he Is a very yigor
Gus man.
Mr.. stafford-Mster Chairman with
draw the point of order.
Doctor Howard was refused his in
crease of pay because he was too old
lover sixty, perhaps nearer seventy
Doctor Nelson was allowed his IN
crease because he was not superan
mated but In his prime round aftl
years OF age
Now, as matter Of fact, Doctor
Howard is nor than two years young
err than Doctor Nelson. Is 1t any won
der that scientific men Of any attain
ments are reluctant to enter a serylc,
where the measure Of the value o.
their services is set down In any sucl
haphn2ard and casual way7