Evening star., 1928-03-21
Continued from First Page)


resentatives Linthicum of Maryland,
Miller OF Washington. CarSS of Mime
sofa, Carter OF California. Seger Of New
Jersey, Combs of Missouri and Kemp of
louisiana
Mr.. Linthicum said he heartily IA
vored paving q fair living salary to the
Government employees and that many
instances of great difficulty In getting
along on the present salaries have come
under his personal observation.
Mr.. Miller said that 1t was far prefer
able TO make a general increase in SAL
aries throughout the entire Federal
service than through seperate bills Tor
individual services. He stated from his
own personal knowledge that Federal
employees in his home community are
far underpaid in comparison with those
in outside employment and said it
would be one OF the happiest days OF
his life when he has an opportunity to
vote on the passage OF this measure.
Replies to Fur Coat" Charge.
Mr.. Carss said that the doctrine OF
good wages should be preached through
out the entire country, because gooo
wages regulate good business and the
power OF the people TO consume Is Wnat
makes business prosperity. Answering
a captious criticism by some IelIo"
member that he had seen some lur
coats worn by Government employees In
the demonstration at the opening OF
these hearings, Mr.. CarSs said that he
was proud to know that there are some
Government employees who can aHord
fur coats and that more OF them should
be made able to purchase them. he oe-
clared that Uncle Sam must lead the
way in paying good wages ana declared
that he Is not worried about the aool-
tional cost TO the Government. because
money Is made to spend and 1t serves
its best purpose in justly making those
who do the work able TO spend for the
things they need. He said there has
been no criticism Of Congress for rails
ing the salaries OF its members and
that there will be none II Congress
employees.
Mr.. Carter told the committee that
he Is especially interested in those
employees receiving very meager
salary, even as low as SIS q month. I
believe that this country is strong
enough financially to pay those who
are working for 1t n salary not alone
sufficient TO give them a living wage
but a salary SUFFICIENT TO provide for
some OF the recreationS OF life and TO
permit them TO lay aside something for
their old age"
Pensions Held Insufficient.
He emphasized that their retirement
pension will not be sufficient TO keep
them in their old age. 1T only helps
to support them. and unless something
is laid by for their old age they must
oh ~ nh nF
relatives or friends. Such a system
should not be tolerated In this country.
Mr.. Seger advised the committee that
the Government could show its appre-
citation OF patriotic service both In civil
and military life OH more substantial
basis, declaring that a man we'll paid
can afford to be patriotic and declared
that the Government has no excuse
for not paying better salaries than In
outside employment.
Mr. Combs of Missouri the baby"
member OF the House, charged Congress
with a "niggardly policy" In its wage
schedule. and declared that some classes
are "notoriously underpaid." lie read
TO the committee a synopsis OF high
technical and skillful service done by
two employees in his district on aero
logical work for the benefit OF air
Iflhl Lslat AllNy AG~
ceived only 81. $40 and 81 800.
Mr. Combs said he spoke for his con-
StituentS In asking for q general increase
In the wage scale for Government en-
ployes.
Mr.. Kemp said that the Government
Is committing an act of injustice TO
employees In the District and In the
field service since the employees arc
rendering service worth more than the
pay they receive, and urged that Con-
greks should correct this through Q
sense Of sacred duty. These facts are
not controverted and not disputed. Mr.
Kemp said, and he charged the COM
mittee that there Is only one honor
able, fair and decent thing that we can
do aS the agency through which wages
are increased and that Is t0 ftx decent
compensation for services rendered. Our
great prosperity Is based, he pointed
out, on the high wages paid to our
people above all other peoples"
Capt. AinswoTth Speaks
Capt Frank H. Ainsworth OF San
Francisco. Calf. who wrote the first
minimum wage bin introduced IL years
ago by the late Representative John !.
Nolan OF California and who was flrAt
president of the Federal Employees
Union spoke as adviser for the United
States Employees Association In Caiitor-
mia lie spoke particularly In support
of the minimum wage feature and call
cd attention To President Coolidgea
statement In his message 10 the second
session OF the Sixty~ninth Congress that
the Federal Government should con-
tnue 10 set good example for other
employers"
This Goyernment does not now sci a
good example with reference 10 It's low
paid employees, Capt AinaWorth said
lie called attention that the low paid
employees he represents receiving under
VI 500 year had as thaiF neighbors
mechanics and artisans receiving On and
ali day To show that comparison
between what Uncle Sam Ia paving and
what The municipality of San Francisco
II paying, Capt AinsW0rth presented
comparative tables For example. the
city paws eharwomen Ai2s a month.
ehile the Federal Government pays
II aafa4 AM AMss