Evening star., 1944-11-02
|Wender Says
D. {. Pay Scale
|s|nadequate
Federation Chief
Fears City Wages
Will Limit Growth

Feors City Wages
Will Limit Growth
Declaring that inadequate" SAL
aries paid District government en-
ployes on all levels are handicap
to efficient municipal administration
here, Harry S. Wender, president of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tlons, asked in his annual report to
the organization today that Con-
gress review the entire wage struc-
ture.
Mr.. Wender said the current wage
structure would have an adverse
effect on the city's postwar deve' 7p-
ment. IF Washington is to glos -
a city of 100000, or more than dou-
BILE its present size within the 1.ext
20 years, as has been predicted" he
said, "our District government must
possess employees of the very highest
caliber with the best qualifications
for performing the infinite tasks
ahead"
The District has lost many capable
and efficient officials who were un-
able or unwilling to refuse more
inviting positions offered to them
elsewhere, Mr.. Wender asserted. He
added that I'VE have been extremely
fortunate in securing some high
minded officials and employees who
accepted appointment and remained
in service with salaries lower than
those prevailing in private industry
or the Government for comparable
positions.
Professional Posts Vacant.
But this latter group fail to offset
many professional posts which re-
main vacant because competent per-
sonnel refuse to give up lucrative
private practice to assume munich
pal positions at inadequate salaries
flXed many years ago." the fedora
tion's president continued.
Mr.. Wender pointed out that
school teachers receive an entrance
salary of only 81 400. An inequity
cited by Mr.. Wender is the $500
annual salary paid police captains.
Their long experience and proven
executive ability entities them to
a higher rate of pay" he said. Mr..
Wender said that the Districts s
health officer is paid 81 900 less than
was promised him at the time he
accepted office.
Mr.. Wender explained the neces-
sity for placing the federation on a
more sound financial basis so that
it may have permanent headquar-
tiers and give more efficient service.
The present annual income is $500,
derived from membership dues of
$40 each from each of the SO men,
ber bodies. This, Mr.. Wender said,
is not enough to meet the fedora
tion's needs.
ut is we'll known that we are
severely handicapped by having no
headquarters where committees or
delegates may meet" Mr.. Wender
said. I'VE are dependent on our
secretary for storing our records
and files without compensation ex-
Cept for the paltry sum he receives
for reporting our meetings No
other city-Wide organization OF oui
scope fails to have an executive sec
retary with staff to assist COM
mlttees in the preparation ano pub
lication of reports and resolutions,
Urges Membership Campaign.
One recommendation for increas-
ing the Federations income made
by Mr.. Wender was that the organ
ization participate on percentage
basis in city-wide campaign for
enrolment of new members in the
SO affiliated citizens associations.
ut is undoubtedly true" the re-
port said, that there are many
thousands of residents who have
never joined an association because
they have never been personally ap-
preached or given an opportunity
to express desire for membership.
=. 1t is my opinion that the fed
Grafton should institute a campaign
of this character which would serve
to stimulate public interest in citi-
zens' associations, arouse activity in
our member bodies and augment
our own treasury as an incidental
result"
Mr.. Wender, In his report, again
stressed the need of District resi-
dents for voice in local and ma
tional affairs. The restatement by
the Democratic party of a plank
in its platform calling for the ex-
tension of suffrage to the District
is of some consolation, but the fail
ure of the administration during
the past four years to attempt full
fillment is most regrettable," he as
serted. Mr.. Wender likewise crit
icized the Republican party for
failing to include any reference to
District suffrage in its platforr,