Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-17
THE RICHEST GOVERNMENT
BREAKS DOWN At ITS MINT
Half.Tine Layof Of Expert Craftsmen
at the Coinage Plant In This City
Constitutes a National Disgrace

TIMES are unpropitious for Federal ag-
l. gravaton of the unemployment prob
lem. Aside from the special obligations
of the case lamentah,e lack of SELF
respect is revealed in governmental policies
grounded in penny -foolishncss and pcnurious
pedantrv.
It is the popular impression that oRcnses
of this description can be rarely ascribcd TO
any Administration Of republic notorious
for its extravaganza. On the whole this
opinion is valid. But this view serves TO
emphasize such instances of retrcnchment as
are traceable TO nothing moro inspiring than
unperccptive bureaucracy.
A particularly hagrant specimen OF this
sort OF false economy is now visible in the
operation Of the most famous and best
equipped mint in the Western Hemisphere.
There is irony in the spectacle of the rich
est Of Governments entering plea of pow
orty in defense of thc management of its
own coinage mill. Not humor, however,
but insrutitude is the main factor Of dis
graceful situation.
The Philadelphia Mint employees skilled
craftsmen who could have commanded bGlg-
ing pay envelopes in many lines of produce
ton during the war imitation period, we're
patrloticaliy proof against such temptation
wsrded with the installation of half. time
system 20 endure until June 80.
The Federal appropriation. it is said has
been exhausted. The bookkeepers Of the
capital are primcd with documentary cvi-
dencc. Official arms are folded and tie
sufferers arc expected TO take the conse-
Quences meokly.
Asa matter OF fact, these faithful artisans,
financially straitened in far from genial
season. are, as Federal servants, barred
from organizing spectacular protests
Theoretically the Government is interested
IN the welfare OF its employees. 1t is un-
fortunate If the cashbo1 happens TO be
empty.
Thus, il will be admitted, runs the theory.
The facts are otherwise and they SAVIOR most
Significantly Of outrage.
In departmental circles it is alleged that
the piping times OF production at the mint
last year depleted the payroll reserve. But
what If they did? II is conceivable that
officials not infatuated With snoc'tring
methods might have recognized abnormal
circumstances and have reckoned TO semc
rational extent with the future. Congress.
however. was not pressed 10 prepare Tor an
inevitable falling of of demands upon the
mint.
Business was not conducted on lntellgent
principles, and high type specIaLstS, WIZ
would find It difficult today 70 obtain posi-
tione in fields akin to that one in which
they have been arduousiy trained, are con-
fronted with possibilities OF acute distress
II is cold consolation to suggest TO these
sbobb!ly treated Federal scy1itors that they
once received a slight increase in wages ami
tasted the monetary delights o; overtime
II is impossible TO escape the dismal logic
of the year 1922.
A,d-not charity, but jus,tce--4s tie inn
Dnrntlvc duty Of the red .tnpistS and the leg
islators. In this connection it Is gratifying
70 note the zeal OF Congressman barrow
who has announced his intention OF securing
an extra appropriation to tide over palhlul
and undue emergency. Senator Fcppcr'
whose sense OF justice is keen should be
s.ryiceable in winning corporation ny Tue
upper house. ,...5og
The case calls for prompt and open Ncnaeo
action Morally the indifference of the
Government has been culpable. from tn"
economic standpoint the Federal adminiS-
trotion Of the mint amounts TO an eAH!oi'lon
of bureaucratic absurdity.
The only decent remedy commensurate
with the dignity OF the Republic ia the res,
toration Of the men to the full time ana
frll nav.