2668 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. JULY 16," ------~~------.------·~ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. FIELDS.- Mr. Chairman, I offer_ the following· amend ment, which I send to the desk and ask to have read. WEDNESDAY, ·July 16,1919. The Clerk read as foilows : . .Ainendment by Mr. FIELDS : Page 2. line 4; after the word ,; zone " · . The House met at 12 o'clock noon. ~ strike out the remainder of line 4, all of lines 5 and 6 to and including · The ·chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. · D., offered the fol- the word " clerks" in line 7. lowing prayer: . Mr. BLAl~TON. Mr. · Chairman, may I offer a · perfecting 0 Lord Gocl of-Hosts, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, ac· amendment to the amendment-of the gentleman from Kentucky? cept our worship and let Thy. spirit descend in full .measure The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman has not the floor for that upon us, and inspire our minds to great thQughts and our hearts purpose. to noble deeds; that we may add somewhat to the progress of Mr.. FIELDS. Mr. Chairman, as I stated ~m Wednesday last, the world and make for the betterment of mankind; and Thine the bill as drawn would permit the payment of a ~rreater com shall be the praise, in the-spirit of the Lord Christ. Amen. pensation to janitors· in the post offices where janitors are em · The .Tour_pal of the proceedings of yesterday was read and ployed than to many of the clerks in those offices. I do not be approved. - lieve _that the House desires to enact legislation of that character. LEAVE OF .ABSENCE. I believe, too, that fourth-class postmasters, postal carriers the By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to Mr. city delivery carriers, the rural carriers, the star carriers 'and BABKA, indefinitely, on account of illness in family. all other carriers to whom this bill as reported wili not a'pply are as much entitled to the consideration of this body as th~ WITHDRAWAL OF PAPERS. employees in any other branch of the Federal Government. I · By unanimous consent, leave was granted to Mr. MAPEs to take that position on the broad principle of justice to all .em .:withdraw from the tiles of t]le House, without leaving copies, ployees and in opposition to unfair discrimination against any (papers in the case of H. R. 8708, Sixty-fifth Congress, no adverse class of employees. In my brief time I desire to answer one freport .having been made thereon. argument that I know will be urg~ against this amendment, and SWEARING IN OF A MEMBER. that is that it would give the minimum wage as provided in the Mr. CLARK of Missouri. 1\fr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con· bill to fourth-class postmasters. Fourth-class postma·sters are :sent that the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. HAMILL, be on a percentage basis. They are divided or can be divided into 'morn in. He has not his certificate with him, but he was 10 classes, those receiving less than $100 per annum into one klected by over 11,000 majority, and J:tobody questions the elec class, those receiving more than $100 per annum and not over .tion. $200 into another class, and so on, to the maximum compensa .. The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Missouri asks unani· tion of $1,000 per annum. The department could and doubtless pious consent.that the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. HA:MILL, would fix a sliding scale, providing that the maximum salary ·be permitted to take the oath of office, although his certificate should be counted for a full day's labor. Therefore, a fourth ~s not yet on tile. Is there objection? class postmaster· of grade No. 9 would work nine-tenths of a · Mr. MONDELL. Mr. Speaker, I understand there is no ques day and a postmaster of the lower grade one-tenth of a day and tion about the gentleman's election. would be paid by _the hour under this bill. Of course, the post Mr. CLARK of Missouri. No. masters of the lower-paid offices do not devote their entire time Mr. HAMILL appeared at the bar of the House and took the to their duties as postmaster, but they should receive a living oath of office. wage for such time as they do devote to it. This Congress that EXTENSION OF REMARKS. is legislating in the interest of the lower-paid employees of the country should manifest the same interest in all classes of em . Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to ployees and not alone in those who are organized and have rep insert in the RF.<:ORD the memorial address delivered by Mr. resentatives in· Washington. Fr~undeen, formerly a Representative from the State of 1\-Iinne I see no reason why the postal employees of the country should tsota, which he delivered at Arlington on Memorial Day. It is a not receive the same consideration that all other employees re patriotic address of high literary merit. ceive, and the arguments that may be urged against this amend The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Ohio asks unanimous ment, that all postmasters would be given the minimum salary consent to extend his remarks in the RECORD by printing a as provided by the bill for full time, is without foundation. It 1memorial address delivered by Mr. Lundeen. Is there objection? ' would give them the minimum salary for the number of hours There was no objection. actually required to perform their work. CALENDAR WEDNESDAY. 1\Ir. BLACK. Will the gentleman yield? The SPEAKER. This is Calendar Wednesday, and the call Mr. FIELDS. Yes. rests with the Committee on Labor. Mr. BLACK. There is no law that classifies fourth-class post· Mr. GARNER. Mr. Speaker, a ·parliamentary inquiry. masters into classes, and the Postmaster General would have no The SPEAKER. The gentleman will state it. legal authority so to classify them. There is absolutely no classi Mr. GARNER. Yesterday afternoon when we adjourned the .fication of fourth-class postmasters. sundry civil appropriation bill was under consideration, and the Mr. FIELDS. But the gentleman must bear in mind that they ·previous question had been ordered on the motion to recommit. do not work full time, and this bill provides that employees who ·After the previous question has been ordered upon a bill, is it are not employed full time shall be paid by the hour. There is not necessary to take that vote on the following day, although a regulation that classes them into different classes. We find it be Calendar Wednesday? that one half of them receive a salary of $180 per annum and The SPEAKER. The Chair thinks not. It comes up on the other half receives a salary above $180 per annum-- Thursday, not on Wednesday. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. Mr. FIELDS. I therefore hope that the amendment may- be MINIMUM-WAGE BILL. adopted. M:r. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, I call up the bill (H. R. 5726) to Mr. MADDEN. 1\Ir. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that · fix the compensation of certain employees of the United States. I may proceed for 10. minutes. _ The SPEAKER. The gentleman from California calls up the The CHAIRI\!AN. · The gentleman from Illinois asms unani bill H. R. 5726, the minimum-wage bill, which is on the Union mous consent that he may speak for 10 minutes. Is th&Te objec tcalendar. The House will automatically resolve itself into the tion? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none. 'Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the Mr. MADDEN. Mr. Chairman, the amendment offered by the further consideration of the bill H. R. 5726. gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. FIELDs] and his explanation of it Accordingly the House resolved itself into the Committee of is absurd, untenable, unjustifiable, and ought not to be given the Whole House on the state of the Union for the further con serious consideration. . The language of the bill as it reads now sideration of the bill H. R. 5726, with Mr. WooD of'Indiuna in makes the minimum wage apply to all except the persons hold the chair. ing appointments as postmasters, assistant postmas_ters, rural The Clerk reported the title of the bill. carriers, postal clerks, carriers in the City Delivery Service, and 1\fr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, on Wednesday last, when the railway mail clerks. Now, the postmaster~ of the United States committee rose, a parliamentary inquiry was submitted by the have their compensation based on_the revenues of the office. If gentleman from Ohio [Mr. FEss] as to whether an amendment the revenues of the office reach a certain amount, the office is offered by the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. GooD] had been then second class; if it reaches a certain other amount, it is adopted. The RECORD shows that the amendment was agreed to. then first class; ii it is below either of those amounts, it is in The CHAIRMAN. Yes. The gentleman from Ohio was mis the third class; and up to. a certain amount it is in the fourth taken. The· vote was taken, and the amendment was agreed to, class, Now, how do we pay fourth-class postmasters? We pay and it was announced. The RECORD shows that the amendment them on the basis of the cancellation of postage, not on any was agreed to. · - -- __ .::;~, · fixed compensation. Up to a year ago we paid them 50 per 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 2669
cent of the first $10<)cancellation. A year ago we increased that Mr. MADDEN. I do not think the gentleman means what he to 80 per cent. Now the law provides for the first<$100 of can- says. cellations; after that they get a certain other percentage of all Mr. FIELDS. I mean exactly what I say. Does the gentle future cancellation, and they ought not to be embraced in a man want to pay the colored janitor of the Chicago office a class that would have a fixed minimum pay. I 'do not.remember greater compensation than many of the clerks in that office re how many fourth-class postmasters there are; something like ceive? about 40,000. Mr. MADDEN. I do not think this bill does that. I do not Mr. FIELDS. Will the gentleman yield? care-whether the janitor is colored or white, if he is performing Mr. 1\fADDEN. Yes. his duty. . Mr. FIELDS. In the opinion of-the gentleman sJ1ould .the law Mr. FIELDS. Does the gentleman think his duty more im- be enacted and if my amendment prevails it'would not apply to portant.than-that of the clerks? fourth-class postmasters at all. Mr. MADDEN. The gentleman does not understand what he Mr. MADDEN. It would apply to everybody. is talking about. Mr. FIELDS. To the postmasters who do ,not serye _a _full Mr. FIELDS. I do. day, who do not devote their e)ltire time to the d!!tie~ of-: the Mr. MADDEIN. The amendment of the gentleman ought not . office? Does the gentleman contend they would get the full bene- to prevail. And more than that, I want to say that at the close fit of the allowance under this bill? of the last Congress a joint commission was authorized, which Mr. MADDEN. Why, the gentleman is repealing the law is now in session, consisting of five .Members of the Senate and upon which the payment rests-- .five Members of the House, to reclassify the men in the Postal Mr. FIELDS. I am applying this law to the postal em- Service, including postmasters, assistant postmasters, janitors, ployee the same as the other employees, and I think it should rural carriers, and everybody, and this commission is at work apply. and will report when it has completed its labors some time this Mr. MADDEN. Just a moment. The postal employees and fall, and undoubtedly a new classification will be made affecting railway mail clerks are classified, I think, into nine different more than 350,000 people in the Postal Service. And an amend classes. They enter the service at a fixed compensation. They ment such as is proposed by the gentleman from Kentucky would are promoted every year automatically until they reach the destroy the effect of the work that is now in process, and it ought liighest grade. The clerks in the first and second class offices are not to be given serious consideration by the membership of the promoted the same way. The city-delivery letter carriers are House. promoted the same way. Mr. CANNON. Will the gentleman yield? l\Ir. FIELDS. ·wm the gentleman yield? Mr. MADDEN. Certainly. 1\Ir. MADDEN. The amendment of the gentleman will take 1\lr. CANNON. Now, I do not know, but . I think there are them out of that classification, that it has taken the Congress 30,000 or 40,000 fourth-class postmasters in the country. years to work out. Mr. MADDEN. About 40,000. 1\Ir. FIELDS. Will the gentleman yield? Mr. C.ANNON. The assistant postmaster or the deputy post- Mr. MADDEN. Yes. master would get his little. $3 a day? Mr. FIELDS. They are p1·omoted when there are vacancies Mr. MADDEN. There is no deputy postmaster in the fourth- or openings to promote them? class offices. Mr. MADDEN. No; they are promoted anyhow every year Mr. CANNON. But there is an assistant. from one grade to another. Mr. M.ADDEN. No; not in the fourth-class offices. Mr. FIELDS. No; it does not-- Mr. C.A..l~NON. Oh, I think-there is. Mr. MADDEN. I am stating the fact~. Mr. MADDEN. The fourth-class postmaster, if he bas one, Mr. FIELDS. I know men who have erved for years-- must employ him out of his own pocket: ~ Mr. MADDEN. I know the gentleman does not know what Mr. C.A..l~ON. But the assistant is sworn in. h('! is talking about when he says that. · Mr. MADDEN. Oh, yes; he would have to be sworn in. Mr. FIELDS. I know he does h"Tiow what he is talking about. Mr. CANNON. Then he is an official. Mr. MADDEN. Every city carrier, every clerk, every railway Mr. MADDEN. But he is a servant of the postmaster and mail clerk, all are promoted from one grade to another every not recognized as an employee of the Government. year when he qualifies. That is all there is to it. The law Mr. CANNON. Oh, I beg pardon. He becomes an officer of provides it and it must be done. 1 the Government when he takes an oath. Mr. RUCKER. Will the gentleman Y-ield? ! Mr. MADDEN. That is in the third-class offices, but not in · Mr. :MADDEN. Yes. : the fourth-class offices. There are no assistants in the fourth- l\Ir. RUCKER. Under existing ·law does not a rUI·ai carrier 1 class offices. · get more than the provisions of this bill? I Mr. CANNON. Oh, yes. Mr. MADDEN. He geJs $1,560 a year if he travels 24 miles. Mr. RUCKER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike out the last l\fr. RUCKER. This bill would not increase the salary? two words. Mr. MADDEN. No; and they do not want it. This pro-j J\1r. Chairman, for one I am in favor of the amendment vision was put in the law at the request of the postal men. I offered by the gentleman from ,-Kentucky [Mr. FIELDS]. It Mr. FIELDS. Will the gentleman yield? seems, and it has long seemed-to me, that one of the most out- Mr. MADDEN. Yes. 1 rageous performances of this Government is to maintain a post Mr. FIELDS. Those getting that salary would not be af- office -for public service at the meager wages paid fourth-class fected. It i those getting below $1,080 who would be affected. postmasters. l\lr. MADDEN. Oh, the gentleman is trying to befog the issue. Let me call the attention of the-membership of this committee He is trying to muddle up the whole service. The Post Office to this fact: Fourth-class postmasters are paid, as stated by Service is divided into classes, made so by law. What he is the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. MAnnEN], a salary based on trying to do is to mix it up so nobody will know where it will cancellation. Up to $1,000 of receipts the office is a fom·th-class stand, and his amendment ought not to prevail. office. Above $1,000 of receipts it becomes a third-class office. Mr. BEGG. ' Vill the gentleman yield? The minute it becomes a third-class office the Government pays Mr. MADDEN. I will. rent for a building, pays for fuel, and it pays at Government ex- Mr. BEGG. If the amendment carries, will not the small pense a clerk or assistant to help do the work. But before it postmaster, who conducts an office in a small grocery store and becomes a third-class office, and while the pay would be perhaps probably hands out 50 pieces of mail a day, be entitled to a $800 or $900, the postmaster of such office, who performs a salary of $1,000 a year? valuable service, must out of his or her own pocket pay rent, Mr. f.ADDEN. ·Well, I do not know whether hE} will or not, pay for light, pay for fuel, and pay for all clerical help needed because we do not pay him on the basis of annual compensation. in the office. This is not fair. The fourth-class postmasters, Mr. BEGG. Would we not be compelled to do so if this went who are as busy every hour of the day as the postmasters in through? third-class offices, and much busier than postmasters in second- 1\Ir. MADDEN. I am afraid. we would. And, as a matter of class offi.cas, but get $750 or $800 a year, and out of that must fact, there are over 20,000 post offices where the compensation pay $100 or $150 for assistance, $50 or $60 for fuel, and $25 to $50 is not over $50 a year. for rent, cutting the salary down to a mere pittance. \Vhatever 1.\lr. FIELDS. Will the gentleman yield for an inquiry? clerical assistance is needed must, under existing law, be paid Mr. l\IADDEN. Yes. for by the postmaster. Let me say to you that in nearly every Mr. FIELDS. Is the gentleman willing to put the janitor of one of these offices clerical assistance must be had, because the a post office on a higher salary than many of the clerks through- people demand, and ought to demand, that the office be kept out the country? open. No postmaster can go to the office at 6 o'clock in the LVIII--160 2670 CONGRESSIONAL RECO~HOUSE. JULY 16,
morning and remam in thut omc~ behind the comrter in the Mr. SNYDER. I would like to ask the gentleman whether he performance of duty during the entire day. does not think that when proposing an amendment of that kind , Neces arHy there are times when tlle po tmasteT must absent_ he; should give us some idea ·Of the- additional tax that would be himself OT her U: from t11e dnties of the office. In ord~ to give pla~ed upon the Government by including snch a proposition? service during that time they must empioy SBme Q:Il~ It will MI\ JONES of Texas. I have an idea. the g'€lltleman who asks not do to say that the postmaster can eng~ge his son or his . the question can not tell what other parts of this bill will cost, daughter or his ~ife, because that merely begs the question, a.nd but I will say that is a matter of arithmetic. The rate of says that these underpaid officers mnst use the service of s me increase will be no greater than it will be with reference to other member of their family offered gratuitously, witho1.1.t com- certain other employees coming within the terms of the bill. pensation, in order to perform the work of the office. I think The gentleman from Illinois [Mr. MADDEN] says this wonld the amendment ought to be adopted. upset the whole. scheme of pay in the Postal Department. It The gentleman from Illinois [1\Ir: l\fADnEN] speaks of a com- would not interfere with the grading of the postma.sters or the mission appointed. This sall!.e question has been presented to. ' clerks or anyone in thn.t connection, because under the terms the Congress a number of times, and for Yarious: reasons sug- of the amendment th~y would simply be paid the minimum gested--one of them a moment ago-no favorable a.ctien has wage, regardless of the present classification; and if they would been taken. It is said that somebody conducting an o:ffi:ee in a receive more under this amendment than under the ratings theY. grocery store hand' out the mail and sells groceries when not now have their wages would simply be supplemented t() the waiting on the public at the post office, and theref~re the eo:m- extent of bringing them up to $3 per day, and th others would pensation allowed is sufi:icient for the public service rendered. not be affected. · That may be trne. Hut this. Congress, if it wants to, ought t() Mr. CARTER. 1\!r. Chnirman, will the gentleman yield? differentiate benv en those cases whe-re a pcst office is main~ Mr. JONES of Texas. Yes. truned in a business honse and those cases where it is kepf in a Mr. CARTER. The gentleman proposes by his substitute to separate- house, and ought to allow some compensation to reim- inelu Mr. JONES of Texas. I do not know. The gentleman will included, and I think they ought to be included, because under have to ask some member of the Committee on the Post Office the present law we now have a classification as to postal clerks anu Post Roads as to that. But the ones that would be affected and letter carriers of· six grades-first, second, third, fourth, would be comparatively few. If you are in favor of the bill fifth, and sixth. They begin at $1,000 a year. and I take it that most of those that are fighting this motion are Now, what will be the effect of this minimum wage bill if it is in favor of the bill-you are including many more who would be passed as to the relative salaries of Government employees? the beneficiaries of this bill who are doing less actual work than Take my own post office at Clarksville, Tex. There is a janitor do the fourth-class postmasters, and doing work whi~h involves in the post office there wbo receives $720 a year or thereabout. no discretion whatever. He is not a skilled employee at all. Under this bill he will re Mr. LANHAJ\1. Will the gentleman yield for a question? ceive $1,080 a year, or $80 more than the postal clerks when they Mr. JONES of Texas. Yes. enter the service after having stood a rigid. civil-service exami 1\fr. LANHA.l\f. Let me ask the gentleman if it is not a fact nation. that fourth-class post offices are sometimes abandoned, where Mr. FIELDS. He will receive that whether my amendment the service is really needed and where the people of the com is adopted or not. · munity are greatly inconvenienced without them, because of the Mr. BLACK. Yes; that is true. Now, an()ther thing. If the fact that suitable mE:n can not be procured at the salaries now Good amendment i~ defeated-and an effort is going to be made prevailing to take the job? to defeat it on a roll call; we have had propaganda through the MI'. JONES of Texas. I am glad the gentleman has as!ied that mails asking for its defeat-what will be the effect? If the question. In many !nstances fourth-class post offices have been Good amendment is defeated, the janitor in a post office will re abandoned. t.._• cause postmasters could not afford. to take the re ceive $1,320, which will be more than the average postal clerk sponsibility a11d do the ,...-ork for the amotmt of pay. I get letters and letter carrier recei...-es. I do not wish to be understood as every few days with reference to discontinuing post offices, and I tluowing the slightest slur at the work of a janitor. Any honor take it the other Members have the same experience. able work is honorable to perform, hut certai·nly no one ought The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Texa-s offers a substi to contend that unskilled work of this kind should. be paid for at tute for the pending amendment which the Clerk will report. a larger scale of compensation than such skilled employees as The Clerk read as follows: postal clerks, letter carriers, railway-mail clerks, and employees Mr. BLACK offers· as a substitute for the amendment of Mr. FIELDS, page of that kind. I am going to prevent such a situation if I can. 2, line 4, after the word " zone " in line 4, strike out the language " nor to I hope my substitute will be agreed to. [Applause.] l)ersons holding appointments as postmasters, assistant postmasters, rural carriers, posta l clerks, carriers in the City Delivery Service, or l\fr. KNUTSON. 1\Ir. Chairman and gentlemen of the colll railway ma il clerks " and insert "nor to fourth-class postmasters." mittee, the Labor Committee of the House held hearings on this Mr. BLACK. Gentlemen of the House, if you will give me bill during the months of March, April, May, and June, at your attention for about five minutes I would like to explain whlch hearings full opportunity was gi...-en to all the affected the effect that my amendment would have if it is'adopted. Un classes to appear and give their side of the controversy. I der the amendment which has been offered by the gentleman am informed by the mnkiug member of that committee (Mr. from :Kentucky [Mr. FIELDS], if it is adopted, I think a fair con NoLAN], than whom labor has no better friend on the floor of struction of the bill would then include as amended all fourth this House, that the bill as it stands is acceptable to all classes class postmasters and cause them to receive $1,080 per annum.· of postal employees, and that being the case we should hesitate I do not think the House would want to take unwise action of before tacking on any amendment. The provision exempting that sort. We ha~e more than 40,000 fourth-class postmasters postal employees was inserted by my friend, 1\lr. l\1A.DDEN, who in the United States who are drawing all the way from $25 has always advocated the best possible working and wage con. n year up to $1,000. When the compen ation by the cancella ditions for postal employees, on the ground that city carriers. tion method at a fourth-class office exceeds $1,000 per annum, cl~rks, and railway mail clerks are classified into grades which the office then goes to the third class and becomes a presidential entitle them to annual promotions and operates automatically, iffice. while in the case of rural carriers the annual salary for servic~ Mr. FIELDS. Will. the gentleman yield? on a standard route of 24 miles is $1,560, with extra compensa Mr. BLACK. Yes; I will yield. tion for each additional mile, so they would under no circum. Mr. FIELDS. Does the gentleman believe that the depart stances come under the provisions of this act. And as Uw ment would hold that postmasters who are paid $60 a year on any salaries of all -postmasters and assistant postmasters are basetl tasis are devoting as much time to their duty as postmasters on receipts of the office they serve, it will be see·n that this who receive $1,000 a year or $900 a year? could not affect them. Then, too, as the Joint Commission Mr. BLACK. That would not be the question involved. This to Investigate Postal Salaries, including not only postmasters bill provides that all officers of the United States Government of every grade but clerks, carriers, railway mail clerks, rural .shall be paid, if they work by the hour, 37! cents an hour; if delivery carriers, janitors, and laborers, is now at work, and they work by the day, $3 a day; if they work by the month, $90 will undoubtedly report a comprehensive revision of all salaries !1 month; if they work by the year, $1,080 a year. Therefore, before the next session, it would seem unwise at this time to if your amendment is adopted it would be bound to include amend this bill, which in itself makes no pretense of dealing fourth-class postmasters who recei...-e their appointment from the with any of the activities of the Postal Service. United States. That is my construction of it, and it seems to me 1\Ir. VAILE. Will the gentleman yield? that there is no other reasonable interpretation that can be put 1\ir. KNUTSON. Yes; certainly. ~1pon the language. 1\Ir. VAILE. I wish the gentleman would clear up some doubt Mr. FIELDS. They must work by the hour, b~cause they do which some of us have. Can the gentleman tell us whether the not work full time. persons mentioned 'in lines 4 to 7, on page 2, postmasters, assist Mr. BLACK. They work by the year. They are employed ant postmasters, rural carriers, postal clerks, carriers in the annually. Of course it will be conceded that many of them City Delivery Service, and railway mail clerks, any of them, do nOt put in their full time looking after the work of their receive now under the classification less than the amount speci office, for it is not required; but even with that it is quite clear fied in this bill? to me that they would come within the meaning of the gentle- Mr. KJ\.TUTSON. I think not, but as to that I nm unable to man's amendment. • say definitely. The point I was getting at is this: I realize as a member of l\Ir. HUDDLESTON. Will the gentleman yje.Jd? the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads that the fourth Mr. KNUTSON. · No; I have only five minutes. class postmasters of the country are inadequately paid, and 1\Ir. HUDDLESTON. · That carries clerks in the service at that a method should be, and I have no doubt will be, worked out $900. that will materially increase their compensation according to 1\fr. KNUTSON. Be that as it may, they receive a bonus or the business done at their offices. I agree that their need for temporary increase provided for in the law of 1918 and con additional compensation is ·urgent. tinued in the law of 1919. Th~ fact remains that the postal You will recall that at the last session of Congress we ap organizations appearing before the committee stated that the pointed a joint commission composed of members of the House bill was acceptable to them. Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads and the Senate 1\lr. RUCKER. Will the gentleman yield ? Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, and they are now l\Ir. KNUTSON. I can not yield, although I would like to working out this whole proposition; and the House will at once yield to my friend from Missouri. We all want lahor to receive ·see that we can not take up a thing of this kind on such short every penny to which it is entitled, but we -can not get away notice as we have here to-day, with 40,000 fourth-class postmas from the fact that after the extensive hearings whic!i have t~een ters, who get all the way from $25 a· year up to $1,000 a year, held on the bill we can not amend the bill on the floor of the and increase them by a blanket provision of this kind to $1,080. House properly without having hearings before us, especially If my amendment is adopted, all other postal employees will be when we are absolutely ignorant of cou<1ltions. Why not stand . 26'12 CONGRESS! ON AL RECORD-HOUSE. JuLY ia; by the committee 'Which has held hearing foT sev&al months and mum of $2,000 a year for clerks and carriers, ami I ao-reed with pass the bill without materially changing it? So far as I am 'them and assured them that I would say so to the House the concerned I am also going to vote agai.nst the Good amendment -first chance I .had. 'vhich was adopted by the Committee of the Whole House last Mr. NOLAN. Is the gentleman aware of the fact that they Wednesday. [Applause.l are now endeavoring to get n commission appointed .to investi Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Cha.irman, I would like to see if we can gate the Postal Service to recommend legislation, and have not get some limit of. ~E(.on thi.S.:8.mendment. ,bills drafted, and want their force taken care of by the Post Mr. CARTER. Reser~ing the;l;ight to object, does the gentle Office Committees of the House and the Senate? man propose to close ~ebate on air ~mendments? Mr. FITZGERALD. That may be true, and I would say, if Mr. NOLAN. No; on · the aniendmen~ and substitute of the the gentleman makes that statement, he knows what he is talking postal appropriation. about, but at the same time I can see no harm in taking care 1\Ir. BYRNES of South Carolina. Reserving the right to ob of those getting $1,320 or les , if it can be done in this bill. ject, the gentleman means the· postal substitute? Personally I do not believe in waiting one hour. Costs are in 1\Ir. NOLAN.- Yes. creasing every dey, though the war has been over eight months. Mr. BYRNES of South Carolina. It~does , not deny the right The month of June shows a 4 per cent increase over the month to off · other amendments and to discuss them? of May. .From my own investigation, the United States Go - 1\Ir. NOLAN." No; otily the postal'amendment. ernment does not pay large numbers of its employees adequately. Mr. FIELDS. That appliesv to the amendiD.ent before the This results in thousands- of cases where whole families are House and amendments thereto? underfed and inadequately clothed, and such a condition is n Mr. NOLAN. Yes. disgrace to this Government. [Applause.] · . Mr. FIELDS. If this amendment does not carry, I ·have What I .have said about post-office employees is largely true of another amendment that contains a part of it, which I desire customhouse employees, many of whom have not received in to offer after a vote is had on this. crease in pay at all proportionate to the increased cost of living. Mr. NOLAN. l\Ir. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that _If the rules permitted, I would fight here all day that the men debate on the pending amendment and substitute be closed in 40 and women in these important branches of the public service get the pay they richly deserve. minutes. .Mr. HERSEY. Mr. Chairman, I think much of the debate in The CHAID1\1A.N. The gentleman from California asks ..respect to the amendments before the House and the substitutes unanimous consent that all debate on the pending amendment is proceeding under a wrong conception of the objects and pur and substitute close in 40 minutes. 1s there objection? poses of this bill. .As a member of "the committee that favorably 1\Ir. :TONES of Texas. -That will not cut off debate on other reported the present bill, I wish to say that the statement made amendments? this morning by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. MADDEN] is The CHAIDl\IAN. On ,the amendment now pendillg and the correct, and should have some weight with this House. The gen substitute. Is there objection? tleman from illinois is a member of the Post Office Committee, There was no objection. _ and the poBt-office clerks and Federal employees have no better Mr. .FITZGERALD. l\1r. Chairman, I would like to present friend in this House than the gentleman from Illinois, and' no another amendment at this time, if proper. After the word interest of theirs is going to suffer at his hands. I w1'1I say " clerks " line 7, insert "and said post-office employees receiving further that the committee that reported this bill gave du.c con $2,500 ~r less per annum shall be entitled to the bonus of $20 sideration to this matter. I can not understand how men can per month allowed to all civil-service employees of the Govern get up herein this House, w.ho have not investigated or studied ment." this bill, and proclaim themselves as friends of the post-office l\1r. Chairman, I am going to take the time allowed to me .to employees and fourth-class postmasters, who ask that they be say a word for the clerks and letter carriers in post offices who not put under tills amendment, but that they be given their will be put in the position of receiving $300 less than the rights under the Post Office Committees. · employees in the unskilled positions in Washington and other Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? sections of the country if .this bill passes, and I hope it will. 1\fr. HERSEY. Yes. Surely there is no Member of the House who has the welfare Mr. BLACK. I understood the gentleman to state that the of the Post Office at heart-and the welfare of the Post Office postal employees have asked that -they be not .included in this Department include the sociological and humanitarian side bill. I would like to .know by wha.t authority the gentleman as well as its business side-who is willing that a large number makes that statement. I am a member of the Post Office Commit of the clerks and carriers, upon whom the efficiency of that de tee, and I _have never heard of any organization of postal em partment rests, hall be paid a smaller salaTy than is given to ployeeS protesting against being included in this.bill. the commonest laborer in the public service of this country. If 1t1r. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman [.Mr. HERsEY] there is one charge that the business men of America make now will yield to me, I will state tnat the president of the National against the business of the country, it is against the efficiency .Association of Letter Carriers, the secretary of the National of the Post Office Department. How in the name of common 'Federation of Post Office Clerks, and the officers of the railway sense are we to expect efficiency in that department, which mail clerks' organizations have approved this bill, and they want affects the business ·ufe of this country more than any other to be taken care of when it comes to legislation affecting their department, if this Congress permits these men to be underpaid? interest£ by the committee of this House that has always looked Thep are underpaid. Every day we read in the newspapers a after their interests, and that is the Committee on the Post Offi.c& statement, which can not be contradicted, because the figures and Post Road . · are official, and they run throughout the civilized woTld, that 1\fr. FITZGERALD. 1\Ir. Chairman, I would like to ask the the co t of living has increased over 100 per cent in five years. gentleman a question. That means that men in the Post Office Department are getting .Mr. HERSEY. Mr. Chairman, I can not yield further. I have for 1 what they paid 50 cents for a few years ago. Under the floor. It is ansurd for any Member of this House to stand these conditions, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I think the time up here and plead for .fourth-class postmasters, of which we ha come wllen we ought to express our opinion in practical .have some 40,000 in this Nation, who are getting less, many of language as to what we think of the pay being given these men. them, than $100 a year, and endeavor to raise their wages up to The laborer gets $1,080 a year, $90 a month, by this bill, and $1,080 a year when they ~re not earning more than $80 or $100 he gets his $240 bonus-$1.,320 in all-while thousands of post and do not expect any more. It is absurd to come in here and office clerks and carriers get but $1,000, $1,200, and $1,300 a year. claim that you should not raise the wage of janitors and the The po t-offi.ce clerks, men and women, must be efficient; they charwomen, because they are employed only in the first-class and must have a good brain and plenty of patience; they are more second-class post offices. A fourth-class postmaster does not em than ordinarily intelligent; they -work under the worst possible p1oy at the expense of the Government a janitor or charwoman, conditions in some of the post offices-in cellars in the great unless it is for his own benefit. big post office in Boston, for .our post office is a disgrace and l\Ir. RUCKER. The fourth~lass postmaster has to do all of a detriment to the health of the men and women working there. the drudgery himself. . Mr. NOLAN. l\11~. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? Mr. HERSEY. He has to do all of the drudgery him elf, l\1r. FIT~GERALD. Yes. and if he does not get money enougb, even if it is not more than Mr. NOLAN. Is the gentleman aware of the fact that all of $50 a year, he does not have to stand it; he can re ign. It the repTesentatives of the different postal organizations are in would be some surprise to a fourth-class postma ter who is favor of this bill as written? getting $50 a year to find that his wages by this amendment l\Ir. FITZGERALD. Mr. Chairman, that may be so, but I had been Taised to $1,080 without even his -request. The tir:~ e attended the convention of the l\Ia sachusetts post-office clerks has come when this Congress must cea e to spend tile money of in 'Yorce ter about six weeks ago, and they agreed on a maxi- the taxpayers by such wild and reckless e:x:pent:Iitur s, nml 1 1919-.. OONGRESSION AL RECORD-HOUBE. 2673 trust this amend.merrt w ill !fail, :and that the ·bill will pass with- Mr. GREEN of Iowa. It seems to _me, if l: ~Understood tbese out amendment ·amendments eorr-ectly, that these fourth~ ~ers in- M.r. L~TRA.l\1 . . Mr: t;Jhairman., m~y · I ·ask the gentleman if stead of it being in their interest it will r in - very ' .gc th-e adol,tt10n ·of this m~mmnm wac-ue bill '!ls J)r6~ose~ under. th~ number being :abolished entirely, beea use they -cun end- amendments would prev~t the remedial legislation which lS . Mr. SISSON. I .fear the P~st Offiee Department may be com contemplated for vthe reli-ef of tllese ,postal clerks and fourth- :pelled to kill most of the small ~olllltry offices, for . you must clas . postmasters . . . . . ~derstand the ~ost Office Department has an -appropriation .Mr. HE~SEY. 'r~e adoption of. this bi_ll ~ut nmendments .bill that .apprepr1ates a certain :amount of money; and if _yon wo~ld asSlSt and a1d all remedtal le~isla:t!-on. We rcan :not pass this bill with the amendment, ·and it passes the Senate legisl~te to se~tl~ all labor proolems m this 'country by this which I oonbt, good administration on the part of the Post Offic~ one bill for a mnnmum wa:g-e. The .gentleman ought to remember Department would compel the ctosing up of about two-thirds of that this is a minimum wage bill, and it d-oes not !fix -the wages the fourth-class offices. of m:n getting any more than .$1,080 .a ~ear. Mr. .RUCKER. The Post Qffi.ee Department could not do any- l\li. LA~i.. The a~ption of this -nmeud~ent d~s ~ot thing :much _more unpo.J}ular than it has been doing. stand as a sn;mblmgblock m the way of the Temedmlleg~slation Mr~ SISSON. J: ·do not believe the :gentleman's assault upon contemplated · the Post O.ffi.c:e Department as beillg unpo:pular-- Mr. H~RSEY. Not at alL The gentlema~ from Massachu- 1\Ir. RUCKER. I am making no assa.ult. setts [Mit· FITzGERALD] talks :about men %ett~ $2,500 .a y-ear, Mr. SISSON. Yes; it is as mueh of an assault as the gentle- and how they. ought to have more. This bill dees not -affect man can ma~e to say "the Post Office Department could not thos~ ~en{ getting more t~an ~1,080 a year. do anything more unp()pular than it has been doing." I agree Mr. FIELDS. And ne~thei does the amendment. . with my friend from Missouri that fourth-class postmasters ar 1\Ir. HERSEY. ~es; 1t rloes. The gentleman'-s ~enfu:nent undern<>id 'but I do not bellev.e this -IS the right w t 0 d. et would defeat the bill. .1:'~ ' ay a JUS M:r:. SISSON. Mr. Chairman, T want to -can attenti-on -of -:tJ:re the rpay. .. committee v-ery bri.efiy to what we .are 'doing .here. :r -do not I -agree WI~ the .gentleman from Te.x:~s [1\1~. B.LACK] that believe th-ere is a single 1lle1Ilber af -this .committee who knows we ought ~o giV-e tb1s matter proper consideration m a proper what any of th-ese .amendments offered will dQ in ·doliD.T.s -and way ~ give 't{]) .ea~h fo~rth-class ~st office the a.m~unt of pay cents. I do not believe that thi-s Congress, made up of }>rofes- to which the o~ce Is entitled. ~hLS method of offermg ame-?-d Bi.-onal men, of business :men, men whose rlnty it is to look after ments to the .b.~ on the fioor ~It:b"?'ut any. gentleman knowrng the doin-g ()f l3usiness in :a businesslike way, can .a.fford to vote ih~w m1llly :rutliens o~ dollars It will eo~ l~ unwarranted~ un for these amendment . Now, 'I -expect I have as many fourth- Wl e. and 1s the WOISt method of leg1~lation. Not a smgle class postmasters in my district, b.eea.use it is :a rural district, Member of Congr?Ss ho bas been -offermg. these n.mend~e~ts . as any man in this House. I know that most of those post- has the T~otest i.dea as to whether they will cost five nullion masters a:re very mueh underpaid. Something ·sh-ould be done ·Or fifty mil~ We have been for many hours discussing this bill, an·d I have I am intimately acquainted with l\fr. Olinger and have known not heard a single Representative mention the interests of the him for over 20 years. He is a capable, highly deserving man, taxpayers or mention the interests of the people they are rep works in his post office from early morning till late at night, resenting. If you were up in the gallery, a stranger to this in Lueders, a thriving railroad town in Jones County, on the Government, you would imagine that this House of Representa edge of the great oil-producing section of the world-renowned tives was a body organized for the purpose of taking care of -Ranger oil field; yet after deducting the $50 per month he is the employees of the Government, and that the whole Govern required to pay his clerk, he receives only $200 a year, just a ment itself was an organization the purpose, chief aim, and ob little over $16 per month. And while refusing to grant him any ject of which "as to take care of the employees of the Govern relief, this Republican House is going to pay $110 per month to ment, and that the only function in all the different branches negro janitors and chargirls 18 years old, and at the same time was to furnish employment for those who were fortunate enough let them enjoy each year one month's vacation on full pay and to be on its rolls. 30 days additional on doctor's certificate on full pay. You are You never hear anything about the taxpayers. You never going to hear from the people. heP..r :::mything about the good of the people. You never hear Now, I want to read you one from a third-clas:> postmaster. anything about the interest of the great agricultural class of Mr. BEGG. Will the gentleman yield for just one question? people, but tile cry is continuously for the downtrodden Federal Mr. BLANTON. No; I am very sorry I can not, my time is so employees. A few people well organized, having filled our mails limited. with propaganda, have at last become the masters of Congress, This letter is dated Albany, Tex., June 24, 1919, and is ad and the people we represent are being lost sight of, and we are dressed to the First Assistant Postmaster General, and says: becoming more afraid of the small minority than we m·e of the This office is swamped with work owing to oil developments in this great majority of the people whom we really ought to represent. territory. We are unable to work from 15 to 25 sacks of "Albany dis tributing" mail, which arrives about 6.45 a. m., until after departme of HI'. Chairman, I therefore do not believe that this bill should star routes, which delays this mail 24 hours. The service at Brecken pass, and I certainly do not believe that this bill should pass if ridge has collapsed to such an extent that business firms at that place these amendments are added to the bill, because that makes it have parcel post and C. 0. D. mail come to this office and send here 27 miles for it. I delivered recently tor one firm in Breckenridge C. 0. D. infinitely worse. I do not believe that this is a good way to packages to the amount of $1,225.24 in one day. I can not work mail for legislate, and I believe that this bill and all these amendments all of Throckmorton County, handle parcel post for Stephens County and ongllt to be voted down. [.Applause.] be central accounting office for Shackelford County, and give the patrons of this office service with only $41 per month clerk hire. The receipts l\Ir. BLANTON. l\fr. Chairman, I decline to yield. [Laughter of this office so far this quarter amount to $2,036.41. Sales of stamped aud applause.] Gentlemen, I want to assert without fear of con paper, $1.923.91; box rents, $112.50; total receipts for this quarter last t radiction that there are tilree classes of Government employees year, $1,331.30. • • • Why are not the patrons of this office en " ·ho have not been heard by the Committee on Labor in the titled to service as well as the patrons of first and second class offices? prepa ration of. this bill. One is the fourth-class postmasters, Let me read you another excerpt. another the _thu·d-class postmasters, and another the clerks who Mr. SNYDER. Is that from a fourth-class postmaster? help do the work in those offices. Thev have not been heard Mr. BLANTON. From a third-class postmaster. He says: either in person or by any organizati~on representing them. Why, the rural carrier aud his substitute are paid $1,665 per annum Now, the gentleman from Indiana who speaks about a fourth for four hours' work, six clays a week, serving 4 boxes, while this offici:' is allowed only $492 per annum clerk hire to serve 3,000 patrons of dass postmaster canceling only twenty 2-cent stamps a day this office, separate mail for 7,000 in Throckmorton County, and be cen should listen to this from a fourth-class postmaster of the tral accounting office for Shackelford County. Why, a clerk in this country: office has to worl< 13. homs a day, 6 days a weel<, nnd 8 hours on LUEDERS, TEX., July 1, 1919. Sunday for $41 per month, while in Abilene they get $125 per :month Judge THOMAS L. BLANTO::-<, 1\<1. C., for 8 hours per day and 50 cents per hour for overtime. Washington, D. 0. _ Now, gentlemen, this is tile situation: This highly intelligent, DEAn Srn AND FRIEND: I would like to have your judgment on a educated, capable, diligent, overworked postmaster, Mr. Frank C]uestion. Do you think there is any likelihood of the postmasters of the fourth class getting any better pay'! I know we get a little raise K. Sterrett, does not make . 110 per month, and never gets a beginnin~ the first of this month, but it does not amount to anything vacation. Here we are asking the clerks in the rural offices if you will take the time to figure it out. I can't stay at the price and clerks, if you pleaNe, who have no other business, who do not get live. l\'Iy office is getting where I have to have help. I have to pay ~50 per month for help, and I get what is left, which amounted to $39 anything else on the out ide-to work for $41 per month ; white io1· the last quarter. men and white women, if you please; and yet you Republicans l\lr. LAYTON. What is his business? with your Republican majority are going to give negro janitors l\1r. BLANTON. He is a fourth-class postmaster- and neo-ro charwomen, 18 years of age, $110 per month, with a. Mr. LAYTON. What eLse does he do? whole month vacation each year on full pay. The _people of 1\fr. BLANTON. Let me finish his letter, and you will see. this country are going to call you to account, and you will be Can you blaroe me for quitting? If I did not make a little on the absolutely unable to justify yourselves. 6 .tside- 'l'he CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. {Laughter.] l\fr. BLAl~TON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to I would starve to death. I have no one to take care of or I would done revi,se and extend my remarks in the RECORD. been dead as heck. My rural carrier gets $1,548 a year and works three The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection? [.After a pause.] The ancl a half hours a day. I get about $800 a year, pay $600 of it for Chair hears none. help, work from 5.30 a. m. to 7 p. m. Now, Judge, I am not blowing ofi- Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. Chairman, I would like to get the [Lnughter.] same privilege. The CH.AIRMAl~. The gentleman from Massachusetts also you know I am not that h-ind of a man, but telling you the straight truth, and you know it my word is worth anything or not. asks unanimous consent to extend his remarks in the RECORD. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your friend. Is there objection 7 [.After a pause.] The Chair hears nonE:'. DAVID J. OLINGER, P. M. The gentleman fro.m Texas [Mr. BEE] is recognized for tl1r e The above is a fair sample of the letters I am daily receiving minutes. from fourth-class postmasters, many of whom have lately given Mr. BEE. l\fr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I up their positions in disgust, and in instances it has been im would not ordinarily intrude upon the time of the committee po sible, as at Norton, Tex., to find anyone to take the office. except for the fact that in my younger days I spent four years as As I said the other day, I want the country to kn·ow that this a clerk in a post office. And I think I know pretty well the ex minimum-wage bill, which sought to give $110 per month-count actions and duties that fall upon them. There is no more impor ing bonus-to negro porters, janitors, messengers, watchmen, tant work in this Government than that done by the Post Office and charwomen, 18 years of age and up, and which absolutely Department. It is the carrier of messages of joy and sorrow, of refuses to do justice to third and fourth class postmasters and business and prosperity, to the people of this land. postal clerks, was fathered and brought into this House by a I do not know whether anyone represented these people or not. Republican [Mr. NoLA J, was reported out by a Republican I do not care. I want to say to the gentleman from California committee, and is being handled and so passed on the floor of [Mr. NoLAN] that 1 am strongly in favor of his bill. I am in this House by n Re.J?ublican majority. I want these post favor of any bill that fixes a minimum wage for: every man and masters and postal clerks to know that the Republicans of this woman that works in America, and I care not who they ::re. But House are Job's comforters to them, and have fought against I do not believe we ought to exempt a large class such as this. and voted down every provision and amendment seek~ng to do Here is the difficulty . .You have added to the post-office work them justic~. The old excuse of letting the matter be cared for the parcel post. You have added the war savings stamps, you by the Post Office Committee is threadbare and ridiculous and have added a multitude of duties to the average duty of a post will not be longer S\Yallowed by these deserving Government master, and alJ over my district and all over the di trict of every employees. man in this House there are fourth-class postma ters, rural car- 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-:-HOUSE. 2675 riers third-class postmasters, second-class postmasters, post· I believe.we should pass .this bill. I am. opposed tQ any amend· office' clerks. and so on, that are barely eking out an existenc:e ment, wliether it is the Good ·amendment or- any other amend· and in some instances compelled to follow other avocations in ment that is offered. I am for the bill just as it is now, and order to live. If they are officers of this Government the Govern· this Congress can then go to the country and say to the people, ment ought to pay them enough to justify them in attending to " Here> is the- lowest minimum wage. Bring the cost of living their duties, which are numelfOUS, manifold, and important. And down. as low as you. will, but this is the minimum of wages that for that reason it would be a great mistake to leave out o:tthis we will stand for." bill this class of employees. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from Pennsyl- With reference to railway mail clerks, there is no occupation vania has expired. in America more hazardous. Every mail clerk that goes out on Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. of the committee, a run takes hi:: life in his hands, like the soldier who goes on the I do not disagree with any statement that has been made about firing line. The rural carriers go in windy weather, rain and the wages of postal employees. We did not make any investiga. storm. They go to the houses· of the farmers of this land. And ti.on of the salaries or income of third or fourth class pest my friend frQIII Mississippi [Mr. Srss~)N] says we do not hear masters. We made no investigation of the wages of railway mail from the people who are pa-ying the bills. The people that are clerks or city-delivery carriers or the clerks in the post offices;,_ paying the bills want the men who are doing the work for them . But we did have before our- committee on numerous occasions to be adequately compensated, so that they can live and that the representatives of those organizations indorsing the prin· their families can live decently. ciple of this bill. We did not have the representatives of the I am in favor of this bill. I want it extended to every char· fourth-class postmasters or of the third-class postmasters befor~ acter of Government agency, and I hope, Mr. Chairman, that us, but they were free to come before our committee, because. this amendment will be adopted and this character of employees open hearings have been repeatedly held on this bill or on a will be included in the benefits of this amendment. · similar bill since 1913. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. Mr. BLANTON~ Mr. Chai.rm.a:n, will the gentleman yield for Mr. HERSEY. Mr. Chairman, I ask that the gentleman's a question? time be extended one minute. Mr. NOLAN. I can not yield. r have only five minutes. Mr. BEEJ. I do not care to consume any more time. Ml;. BLANTON. I hope the· gentleman will be fair. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California [Mr. RAN· Mr. NOLAN. The gentleman would not yield to anybody else, DALL] is recognized. and for that reason I can not yield to him. We gave an op_por· Mr. RANDALL of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield to no- tu:nity to be heard to everyone in this country who wanted to be man in this House in my .interest for the postal employees of all heard on this bill. Everybody that came before us was in favor classes for I spent 15 years of my life in different branches of of the bilL The representatives of the postal employees were in the Po~tal SErvice. But let me tell you how foolish a thing you favor of it, and they realized that it was not to apply to their are trying to do when you attempt to apply this bill to fourth- members. They feel that their wants and needs can properly class postmasters. be cared for by the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. On the 1st day of .January, 1919, there were 42,704 fourth- 1 New, a substitute fo:r the amendment a( the gentleman from class post offices in the United States, and of that number- practi- Kentucky [Mr: FIELDs] is offered by the gentleman. from Texas cally 50 per cent received a salary of less than $180 per year, [Mr. BLACK], a member of the Committee- on the Post Office and or, say, 20,000 postmasters received less than $180 a year, and Post Roads~ He has had an ample opportunity during the time. that $180 represented the total revenue· of the Government at he has been a Member of Congress to look after the mterests ot those post offices. Now, an attempt to apply this bill would the postal employees, and I do not know but that he has con· result in closing t'hose post offices. sistently done so. But I know this, that the gentleman from Mr. BLACK. The gentleman understands that my substitute Texas was one of 16 men in the last Congress who' voted again,st amendment would except the fourth-class postmasters from the this minimum wage bill on. a roll call, and I do not think that provisions of the bill and include all the classified employees? - the friends of this bill can expect it to be amended by the Mr. RANDALL of California. I am speaking to the original opponents of the principle. amendment of the gentleman from Kentucky. And. while I Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? would be glad to see the postmasters' condition improved~ the Mr. NOLAN. Yes. effect of the amendment as applied to the fourth-class post. Mr. FIELDS~ The gentleman said the postal employees in· offices would be to close them. dorsed the principle of the $3-a-day min.i..nrnm. wage? · The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired- 1\Ir. NOLAN. Yes. Mr. GARLAND. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, this bill is- Mr. FIELDS. Did they know that they were to be excluded the emanation of six years' work along this line. It was intro- from the operations of the bill? duced here in 1913 by the gentleman from California [Mr. Mr. NOLAN. Absolutely; and. they wanted to be cared for bY. NoLAN] after he had given it much thought and after it had the committees that havaalways considered their legislation-the run the gantlet of all labor orgnnizations and of all those who Committees on the Post Office and Post Roads of the House and were npt in labor organizations that could be reached personally Senate, who have a joint commission at present working, or and by representation. It has run the gantlet of all the opposi· supposed to be working,.. ann who are expected to recommend tion, and finally it appears before us in its present for;m. The legislation regarding the wages and conditions bf postal em· bill itself is what is wanted by the employees generally. The ployees. exceptions made in the bill were agreed to by those who are M'r. FIELDS. Mr. Chairman, it the gentleman will yield -interested in it by their own choosing. further, their approval of this bill or their failure to want to· 1\fr. BLACK. ·will the gentleman yield? be included in it was because they expected to be included in Mr. GARLAND. No; I can not yield. I have only· five another bill? · winutes. Mr. NOLAN. The reason why they are excepted from this bill It is high time that something of this kind be passed. Now is is because their exemption was advocated almost unanimously, the time of all times that oomething should be done. We have by the members of the Committee. on the Post Office and Post g·one through a war, and already we are talking of rearrange- Roads; The gentleman from Mississippi is right. You can not ment. Some of the employers of labor have attempted a rear- legislate generally on a condition of this kind where no con rangement, and they point to the Government employees as a sideration has been given to it. But the needs and the wants reason why they should rearrange wages outside. Let me tell of postal employees are to be left to the cemmittee of this House. you that always in the arguments between employers and em- that is· appointed for that purpose. ployees the wages of the employees in the Government service Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? are pitted against the wages of the employees on the outside. Mr. NOLAN. I yield to the gentleman. Now, let us not have an example of low wages paid to the Mr. BLACK. Does the gentleman not know that all the raise Government employees to be pointed at. When these soldiers this bill will effect as to classified employees will be 80 per and sailor.s that we are talking-so much about have learned annum, their entrance grade now being $1,000? trades and want to go to work at their trades, those who are Mr. NOLAN. I understand the point that the gentleman returning and going into all kinds of avocations, let us not have makes, but in answer to that I will say this, that the Committee an example here of low wages to be pointed at by their future on the Post Office and Post Roads can take care of that situa• employers. We do not want to reduce wages. We want to keep tion immediately, and if they want to make it $80 in addition up the standard of wages in this country, and this minimum to the $1,000 which they .now receive, or $180, after hearings and wage is the plan for doing it Let us have a minimum wage of conside:rntion, they can mAke that the entrance salary and let $3 a day, and that minimum will be respected everywhere out- it affect the- postal employees. They can also give some con· side by manufacturers and workmen. · sideration to the needs ·and wants of third and fourth class 2676 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. J ULY 16, postmasters, and they can find out all the angles attached to Mr. :MADDEN. · The fourth-class postmasters had their com that rather complicated condition. pensation increased from 50 per cent of the cancellations to 100 Mr. BLACK. One more short question. per cent of the cancellations. Mr. NOLAN. I yield to the gentleman. 1\fr. CARTER. Up to $50. Mr. BLACK. Does the gentleman think. that any investiga- · Mr. MADDEN. . Up to $100. tion is needed to determine whether or'not tlie classified postal Mr. CARTER. Up to the first $100-up to $50, as proposed in clerks ought to receive as much salary as a janitor? [Applause.] the gentleman's bill, but the Committee of the ·whole raised it Mr. NOLAN. I do not ; but you do not confine it entirely to to $100. that. . 1\Ir. MADDEN. No; we provided for $100 in the recommenda• Mr. VAILE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? tion of the Post Office Committee. Now, the third-class post · Mr. NOLAN. Yes. masters' clerks were provided with an increase of 50 per cent. Mr. VAILE. Is the gentleman advised that postal clerks and l\Ir. CARTER. Yes; an increase of 50 per cent was provided carriers in the City Delivery Service and railway mail clerks in an amendment proposed on the floor of the House and are expected to be taken care of by the Committee on the Post adopted by the Committee of the Whole, but the bill as it came Office and Post Roads? into thjs House did not proVide one~ent of increase for them. Mr. NOLAN. I understand that legislation will be introduced Mr. 1\IADDEN. Yes, it did. in the immediate future to take care of all the employees in Mr. CARTER. I have the bill right here, and it does not pro the Postal Service. vide any increase. Mr. HERSEY. l\Ir. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? 1\Ir. MADDEN. A 50 peP cent increase was provided in the Mr. NOLAN. Yes. committee. Mr. HERSEY. Do not the railway mail clerks get more than 1\fr. CARTER. I have the bill here. I should like to have $3 a day now? the gentleman show me just where that comes in. Mr. NOLAN. They do. The minimum amount for postal em Mr.. MADDEN. I can not tell where it comes in without the ployees is 2-! cents an hour above the minimum provided in this bill before me, but I know this-- bill, which is a minimum of 37-! cents. The postal employees Mr. CARTER. I can show the gentleman where it comes in receive a minilijum of 40 cents an hour, and the minimum amount in the bill passed by the House, but the gentleman can not provided in this bill is 37! cents: find it in the bill reported by the committee. l\Ir. Chairman, I ask for a vote. [Applause.] Mr. RANDALL of California. That matter was discussed in The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from California the Post Office Committee and adopted in the committee. has expired. Mr. CARTER. The gentleman is mistaken about that. I Mr. CARTER. Mr. Chairman, it has been contended that the proposed the amendment myself. fourth-class postmasters are not entitled to as much as $90 a 1\Ir. 1\IADDEN. The gentleman will admit that clerks in the month, or $1,080 per annum, and some good reasons have been third-class post offices were increased 50 per cent. furnished for that contention. But the fourth-cia s postmasters 1\Ir. CARTER. They were increased by an amendment pro in a great many instances-! think I might be safe in saying posed on the floor of the House, but as the bill was reported by in a large majority of cases-are certainly entitled to more the committee it did not make that increase. compensation than they are receiving to-day, and they are enti Mr. 1\IADDEN. Yes, it did. tled to consideration at the hands of this committee and of this The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman fl'om Oklahoma Congress. [Applause.] has expired. All time has expired. The question is on the sub 'Now, the gentlemen who were in the Sixty-fifth Congress will stitute offered by the gentleman from Texas [1\Ir. BLACK] for remember that we had a bill brought in from the House Com the amendment of the gentleman from Kentucky [l\fr. FIELD ] . mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads providing increase of Mr. BLACK. I ask unanimous consent that that substitute pay of postal employees. The history of that legislation is a be reported again. little bit interesting to the country Congressman and his con The CHAIR IAN . Without objection, the sub titute will be stituents. We all remember that this bill for the increase in reported. the salaries provided for an increase of about 20 to 30 per cent The Clerk read as follows : to every employee in the big cities of this country, and yet it pro Amendment offered by Ir. BLACK as a substitute for the amendment vided for an increased salary for only one class of postal em of .1\Ir. FIELDS : Page 2, line 4, after the word " zone," strike out the ployees in the country outside of the cities. Those were the language " nor . to persons holding appointments as postmasters, assist ant postmasters, rural carriers, postal clerks, carriers in the City De rural carriers, and their increase amounted to only 15 per cent. livery Service, or railway mail clerks " and insert " nor to fourth-class I do not know what influence came over the members of our postmasters.'' Post Office Committee of the Sixty-fifth Congress, because most The question being taken, on a division (demanded. by 1\Ir. of them, as I Fecall, represented country districts, unless the BLAcK) there were-ayes 2, noes 107. argument of the gentleman from lllinois [Mr. MADDEN], wbo Accordingly the substitute was rejected. hails from the city of Chicago, so completely overpowered and The CHAIRMAN. The question recurs on the amendment of- hypnotized them as to make them ignore the rights of their own fered by the gentleman from Kentucky [1\fr. FIELDS] . . constituents. He is one of the strongest men in this House, Mr. RICKETTS. Mr. Chairman, I should like to have that and by his personality and magnetism he seems to have been amendment reported. · able to enforce his convictions upon the entire Post Office Com The CHAIRMAN. If there be no objection, the Clerk will mittee to the benefit of the service in the cities but to the detri ment of the service in the country. again report it. Mr. MADDEN. Will the gentleman yield? The Clerk read as follows: l\Ir. CARTE.R. Yes. Amendment offered by Mr. FIELDS : Page 2, line 4, after the word "zone," strike out the remainder of line 4 and all of lines 5 and 6 and Mr. MADDEN. I think the gentleman wants to be fair. Now, to and including the word "clerks" in line 7. will he tell the House in what way we enacted legislation to the detriment of the country service? The question being taken, on a division (demanded by Mr. Mr. CARTER. I have just stated that. You proposed an FIELDs) there were-ayes 31, noes 131. increase of 20 to 30 per cent for all the city employees antl Accordingly the amendment was rejected. proposed only one increase for the country employees, and that Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment. was an increase of 15 per cent to the rural carriers, and in that The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Kentucky offers an bill you did absolutely nothing for the ~ourth-class postmasters. amendment, which the Clerk will report. In that bill you did absolutely nothing for the clerks in the The Clerk read as follows: · third-class post offices. Amendment offered by l\Ir. FIE~S : Page. 2, line 5, af~er the word Mr. l\IADDEN. Will the gentleman allow me? " postmasters " strike out the rema.mder of lme 5, all of lme 6, and to Mr. CARTER. Yes. and including the word " clerks" in line 7. l\fr. 1\IADDEN. In the first place, the gentleman is not stating Mr. l\1ADDEN. A point of order. That has already been the fact. voted on. - l\Ir. CARTER. Oh, well, I do not think the gentleman in- l\Ir. FIELDS. No; it has not, tends to say that. · Mr. MADDEN. I make the point of order. Mr. MADDEN. I do not think the gentleman intends to mis 1\fr. FIELDS. I desire to be heard on the point of order. state the fact. 1\Ir. CLARK of Missouri. What is the point of order? 1\fr. CARTER. I have the gentleman's bill and the other bill The CHAIRMAN. The Chair calls the attention of the gentle right before me. _We will see whether I am stating the fact man to the fact that the word " postmasters " occurs twice m or not~ the line. Which does the gentleman refer to? 1919. - CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-_HOUSE. 2677- Mr. F IELDS. After the words " assistant postmasters " I Do y~m tell me that it ls your judgment that these bucks desire to strike out the remainder. down here in the corridors of 'public buildings, that crowd the l\Ir. CLARK of 1issouri. What is the point of order? corridors so you can hardly get into an office, that they are 1\fr. l\lADDEN. The point of order is that the substance of entitled to a higher wage and more consideration and more de the amendment offered by the gentleman from K:entucky has liberate and intelligent consideration than the thousands of already been defeated. clerks in the post offices over the country who wait upon your l\Ir. CLARK of Missouri. No; not the whole of it. wives and your daughters? [Applause.] I do not believe that Mr. MADDEN. Yes; all of it. is the judgment of any man here. But for some reason, follow- The CHAIRMAN. The point of order is overruled. ing the lead, domination, and control of that autocratic com- Mr. FIELDS. No; Mr. Chairman-- mittee, the Committee on the Post Office' and Post Roads, domi- 1\Ir. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I \\"Ould like to see if we can nated to some extent by the gentleman from illinois [Mr. MAD- not have some limit of time fur debate on this amendment. DEN], who blocked legislation yesterday, and who tied up all the 1\Ir. FIELDS. I do not 'vant to agree to that just now. multitudinous affairs of the Government in order to have his l\Ir. NOLAN. The gentleman can have his time. Mr. Chair- way, dominated, in my judgment, by the persuasive eloquence man, I ask unanimous consent that debate on this amendment be and learning of that gentleman, you have refused to do plain limited to 10 minutes. justice to a body of public servants in this land who have time 1\lr. RUCKER. Make it 15. and time again appealed to you. 1\Ir. NOLAN. Very well, I will make it 15. Oh, it may be that the fourth-class postmaster is not a strong The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California asks unani- or influential political factor. But, gentlemen, right is right. mous consent that the debate on this amendment be limited to You threaten to abolish fourth-class post offices. Abolish them. 15 minutes. Is there objection? The office was not created for the purpose of giving men posi- There was no objection. tions. If they serve no public purpose they ought not to exist. l\lr. FIELDS. l\1r. Chairman, this amendment leaves in the If they do serve a useful purpose I defy the Post Office Depart bill the language which applies to "-postmasters and assistant ment, whether under a Democratic or Republican administra postmasters." It removes the difficulties that were referred to by tion, to abolish institutions· which are of value to the interests those speaking in ?PPOSitio~ _to my former amendment. This of the American people. [Applause.] amendment puts this proposition before you squarely : Are you Mr. LINTHICUM. This does not include the fourth-class willing to pay th~ messengers and the janitors in the P?st Off;ice postmasters. Department an_d I? the offices throughout the country rn which Mr. RUCKER. I know I am talking about water that has ~es ·engers or Jamtors are employed, an~ the Federal employees I gone over the dam, but I want to have my say about it. I have mall other branches of the Federal Go~~rnme~t, a wage of $3 not yet accepted the learned advice of the gentleman from ~er. day ~~d exclude the. postal clerks, c::y~deliver~ clerks, the Mississippi [Mr. SissoN] or that of the gentleman from Illinois - I~~al earners, and the railroad postal clerks. That IS the pro~o- [Mr. MADDEN]. No one speaks. for the taxpayer, one says. If I Sltlon exactly. In o~her words, my ~mendment pu_ts the_ City had bad the returns of the recent yotes of this committee before cler~s, the rural carners,_the _star earners, and the City-delivery I made my speech, probably, to be on the popular side, I would ca~Tlers on the. sa~e basis, gives them the same benefits under not have spoken for the fourth-class postmasters, because, tt tlus law that are ~Iven to all other F~deral employees. seems, they have not a friend on the Republican side and l\1r. VAILE. Will ~he gentleman yield? devilish few friends on the Democratic side not as many as l\1I:. FIELDS. I .will. y they ought to have. [Laughter.] I know th~t the pr()position l\~ . V~ILE. C~n the g~ntleman s~ate how n;tany pos~l clerks, voted on a few minutes ago was subject to objection, but I am earners m th_e _City Deliver_Y Service, o~ rail;vay ?Illll clerks willing to take the best I can get. [Applause.] . there are receivmg less than 37-! cents p~r h()u • or If employed I know that every fourth-class postmaster ought not to have ~i,J~~?month less than $90 per month, or if employed by the year the benefits of this law, but I say this: I voted for the a~e~d- l\Ir. FIELDS. I will answer the gentleman by asking him a ment_ of the ~ent~e:nan from Kentuc~! [~r. FIEI.Ds], b~hevmg sti0 n Can be state how many men in other branches of the that If we wrote It mto the law ':e ml~ht oive the Comnnttee.on que · ·n en fit e bill . the Post Office and Post Roads m tbLs House a demonstration Federal Government WI be b e ed by th as It now of the will of the American people as asserted by their repre- st~~~s; AILEl No. sen!atives and _make that committee r~port legislation that would l\fr FIELDS I am acting on the general principle of justice be JUSt and fair to that class of pubhc servants, and ur;less yon t li 10 e ~ do put the lash to them I want to warn you now, notwithstand- 0 l\~r. e~filE~ ·The gentleman is offering an amendment that ing t~e st:'ltement of the distinguished. gent~eman who has charge will apparently not affect these people at all. of this b1~, the gentleman from Call~orma [l\Ir. ~OLAN], that l\lr. FIELDS. Then why oppose the amendment? the Co_mm1ttee on the Post Office and _1 o~t Roads will n~t report Mr. BLACK. Will the gentleman yield? that ~ill,_ and the gentleman from Illinois [1\Ir. MADDEN] knows 1\fr. FIELDS. Yes. that It Will not. . l\Ir. BLACK. All the railway mail clerks enter the service . Mr. BURKE. Mr. Chauman, for the benefit of those who are at $1,100 and they would not be affected at all. All postal clerks m fa ~or of the. ame~dm~ents t~at have been offered I want to say and letter carriers enter at $1,000, and therefore for the first tha~ If they will brmg m a bill thro~gh the P.r?per channels for year they would receive the benefit of the increase, and I shoul not. seiT to tl'le man reeei-ving- $·3· a day ene penny· cheaper tllan he subduing the rapidly growing discontent of our countrymen as will to1t11e ma:n receiving $2,500' per annliili. announced through editorials, preachments through: the pulpit, There- ha.s been a disposition- throughout this country and and great speeches and orations by the gifted speake.rs of the land. throughout' n:Il other countries· in. all lines: of work to raise- the Mr. Chairman, some years ago I heard' a distinguished member salaries· of' the· poorly paid empfo ees- to such a wage a will keeP' of'. the' bar, addressing the Supreme Court of Louisiana, in the· bc:>d:y and oUr together. Will it f1e: said of this Government, in old Cabildo down in New Orleans, where the Lauisiana Purchase this- great. lhnd' of plenty· and boasted equality of. all her citizens, was signed and consummated, tell by way· of illustration of the mat a marr an not work for his-Government' because o:f the point which he had in mind, and which for some :reason he could sta.rvati:on: wage ym(J by tllat Govern:ma1t? Will not Con- not felicitously convey to the court, the· finest story tha.t I have gress· so legislate that the: worltingman wilT be- paid a: wage at ever heard. He had been vainly striving to have:- the court this time, when· living conditions are- .bigheT' than ever in the east aside all of the irrelevancies and: confusing side issues liistory of the worlc1 and when they are- soaring higher daily, which he thought were being injected into the case and see the that will feed, shelter, and ~l'othe American children as Amerf- one g1·eat outstanding p'l:'inciple that was involved. The story can: cllildren shelllcf be fed, sheltered, and clothed? [Applause.]' mad a profound impression upon my mind',- as a few years before Mr. NOLAN.. l\fr. Chairman, I trust' the amendment offered~ that F had been in the very place that sel'ved fo·Y the thea:teJ.~ b-y thfr gentleman from Kentuel(y. will be- v~ted down. It is· for the splendid legend which he related. Upon a wall in the nothing more or less than a modification of the· amendments refectory of a great religious institute Leonardi da Vinei had \tOte~ down a few momen:t& ago·. r ask :Col"' a vote-; pain ted his masterpieG!e-one of' the gre.at pictures O'f this wo.tid:-- Tbe CHAIRl\IAN: The· qrrestion is oru the runencfment offe:redi The Last Supper: Whe:rr he had! finished what is destined to by the· gentl:eman. fi·om Kentrreky: lfve· as Tong as th-e Christian religion heldfr sway over' the m.fnd The question was taken.~ :.rnd1 orr a:. di'Visi:.an ~demanded b-y Mr. of man, he brought an artist friend tO' witness its unveiling· F:mrns) th~re were-ayes 32,.. noes: 1'03;. before it would be given to the world. Awed, amazOOI, profoumlly s·o· the amendment w:a rejected!. affected by that crowning glory of the painter's brush, the friend, l\ir. 1\lfONTAG"UUD.. Mr. Chairman,. I offer·the following-amend'-- cho-king with emotion, took a ste~ toward tile picture,. saying, ment wllieh I serrcl. ta the desk: "Maconificent; it is so· r:ea.listfe; so natura:E, that I feel a.s if I The Clerk read as follows :. · could take the eJlalie.e· f'rom tire table." Da. Vinci looked fo:r a; Amendment offered· by Mr. MONTAomr: Page 2, nne 15, strike- out the moment at that indescribably great, yes;.. divine, ereation,. holy period after the word "act" and insert in lieu thereof a colon and. add to the devout and impressive to the irreligious) and muttered the following: ".A..11ct. vrovidect. fttrtl~er-, That the provisi'Ons ot this. act t.be great sorrow that was in· his sou], for· he· knew that while shaJl not appfy to clerks to Senntors- and Rep:re.sentatrves in Congress or mankind for all the generations that were to sween. over the to Delegates- andl Resident Commi sion:ers.'' l.' ...... world: after hfr wn:s gone and forever would rega;:rd it a.s the Jl.f1:. MO~TAGUE: lUr. Cnn:r~ I regret ta ~rrke the tnne. of perfection of art and the most holy and sublime creation thllt the co:mnuttee,. because I addl~ssed: mysel'f to tins subJect for a .. h:J..d eome to the Christian people be fiad failed in his great pur--· few· momen~ on I:rst. Wednes~~ but for fear that ~e matter : pose. With one· st:I:oke of the brush the cup· went out ot the pic may .ba.ve drifted. out of: the. mmds o:f Members. I deSire to re.- ture It was not to be the-central' figure 0 t. thftt immo 1~tality· it cap!tulate somewhat the arg~menf t~ made.. The !Dquiry. was·· the· pale, pure face of the Nazlll1iene: that wtts- t& be the c~n which. I prop~~c;I to. the ehm:uma.IL of' t.be .collliDlttee dls:losed tral, all-engrossing, all-absorbing figure- th-at wa te seiz·e upon that lie thought. this b1ll applied te. the clerks !o ~emb& ~ the imagination and spirit or the beholil'e:r~ .senators and to Dele~tes and Reside~t- Comm1~?ners,. and It I have never forgotten that story. I will never forget the 1s :.0 p_u.t such.c.onstru~~lon. beyond: question and elimmate.Itfrom refeetary. But as· an eviden.ee of the. fact that nothing can with this b1ll that r offer tills amendment. . stand the· mutations of time or even tllose: of man, when NapG- The clerks ta. M~bers ~ Senators bear such a pec~llll! per- leon's army crossed the Alps and poured' over the- pl'ains of om sonal :;tnd eo~lentia.I r~atH>~ to those- wh<:f aooo~D.t ,_t.bem ~ b·ardy, this refectory was used as a barmeks, an'Cll ta aeeommo they sfum.Id be 1n. a classificati-on. to tliemselves~ I thii:!Th illat.1a date the soldiers a door was cut through the wall on which wu faundamen.tally true.,. and this has been: deltoerateiy and recently painted llie- original of· whttt is in eopy fonn fn the· heme of all decided by the House. 'fll.eref'me. :if we appfy tlie minimum wage. those who worship at the· ero. and in tlifr ehureh of' Him who to. tliis class of~ it will necessarily result in exceeding; the~ died on Calvary Hill. amount off salary provided ~or: in t~1~ bills. which wella..ve ree.en.try Applying that narrative to the matter we are discussing· to-day, p_assed, namel , $~200. . It 1s. m~nifest that a Member can a:ppor- and it is applicable, because it is poverty and lowliness that I tion thatamou:nt m~o. .two salar1e~ so. .as to. make ~lesser sai~y, am discussing, let me-appeal to you not to lose sight. ot th-e ml-de· by reason of the addition or subs.tituti.On of ti1e mtnlillum wage,.m.- lying principle of this bill and the tidings of great j:O.y tllatr it crease the $3;200. to a sum. :ran.ging ro.uglii~ from $~600 to $4,500 in · will bring the humble of this great Iand by. ab eul'ing its me-an tlie aggregate. Therefore, to relieve. our elves; of thlS dilemmaL ing with amendments- that will make it a mere salary rai- er and to· gi.ve effeet: te the IegisL'ttioru-whicft. h-as so. recently passed,, instead of the- mtidsill and: foundation for tile new' order that I have offered this amendment. r hope it will be. acceptable to. has come to the world. This bill isrthe beginning off the vindiea memhe.rs of the committee,. for it is their plain duty to. accept it tion of those principles for which flesh and blood oove str11ggled 1\Ir. Chairman,, I oppose thf : indfrect and hidden methomusic tne people of our country want to benr-as if we legfslation th.a.t is- scarcely 10 days. ol 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 2679 1\Ir. DUPR~. 1\Ir. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that The other day I listened with a great deal of sorrow to a the gentleman's time be extended for five minutes. gentleman in this House characterize the membership as hypo The CHAIRl\IAN. The gentleman from Louisiana asks unani critical, and I desire to say from my short experience among mous con ent that the time of the gentleman be extended for the membership of this House that I have never been with or five minutes. Is there objection? [After a pause.] The Chair associated with 435 men whose average sobriety is higher than hears none. the average of this House. [Applause.] Of course, the country, Mr. O'CONNOR. I tllank you. I want to say in connection could not see the twinkle in the eye of the gentleman from with tlli bill, however, because I, like all speakers, have wan Massachusetts [l\Ir. GALLIVAN] nor observe his jovial face as dered far afield, I have not only the interest of an American he spoke on that occasion, but the country ought not to labor who lo>es his country and who wants to see it prosper in all under the impression that there is a body of men legislating branches of its society, but I want to say, gentlemen, that I for the country who are hypocritical when it comes to the ha Ye a deep and abiding interest in this bill and desire to see method of thei.r life. [Applause.] And but a few minutes ago it passed because I wish to see its principles vindicated and an equally gerual gentleman, and perhaps not meaning the exact then avplied to all of the activities of this Government in all language he employed, suggested that on both sides of the aisle the business affairs of our country. 'Vhy do I wish it? Four Members were hypocritical. Now, these insinuations do this fifths of the men who discuss labor, poverty, the simple annals body no good before the country. In the eyes of the country of the poor, and I say this without offense to anyone, yes, four-. we may ha-re fallen low enough without the help of our own fifths of 1\11, labor conventions excepted, speak from the theo members:Wp. We should endeavor to raise ourselves in the retical standpoint, but in listening to me you are listening to esteem of the citizenship of the country. one who bas suffered the direct stings of poverty, for when I look But I do not as a new l\Iember endeavor to lecture older men. vack, l\!r. Chairman, to the precipitous heights I had to climb in I simply suggest at this point that if this amendment is adopted order to stand here among the legislators of my country I feel we give a handle to the hammer which these two gentlemen have that I would not again for all the gold that ever came out of the supplied to the country. If you will adopt a minimum wage for mines of Golconda or of Cripple Creek-! might do it for the all the other departments of the Government and refuse to glory and grandeur and tragedy of it, but not for all the money adopt a minimum wage for your own clerks, then, indeed, the in this world-tread that heartbreaking, sorrow-laden path country may say they act a little bit hypocritically. . again. But I can speak of it! I was born and reared in a Mr. RUCKER. Will the gentleman yield? section of the city where from my cradle I saw poverty, and I Mr. l\fAcCRATE. I gladly yield. made up my mind in my earliest day that if ever the occasion Mr. RUCKER. If the amendment offered by the gentleman presented itself I would endeavor to strike down this hundred from Virginia is not adopted, would it be possible under the handed, hydra-headed, argus-eyed monster, and I believe the provisions of this bill· to increase the salary of Members' clerks? only way is to adopt a bill of. this kind. 1\fr. Chairman, four or l\fr. l\fAcCRATE. I can see no way to increase a statutory five years ago I saw a film picture shown in the city of · limitation already put on the salaries. New Orleans-and in all probability you saw it, too-Lord l\fr. RUCKER. The amendment, as I understand it is to Roberts inspecting the so-called English YOlunteers. At that make it impossible to do that or place that construction 'on the time the Teuton was on his way to Paris. law. In my lifetime I have seen anguish, sorrow, despair, and degra Mr. MAcCRATE. As I understand it, you might make a mini dation written across the faces of men and women. I have seen mum of less than $1,080 for one of your clerks, and I say to· them in reformatories ; I have seen them in jails; I have seen you, sir, and I say to· the House, that I do not desire to be put them in penitentiaries; I have seen them on the sorrowing road in the position of advocating a minimum wage, a living wage, to the gallows; but never, before or since, did I see heartbreak for every other branch of the Government and not say to my own ing degradation and tragic suffering written ~o clearly acros,:) clerk, " You are entitled to a living minimum wage." the human countenance as I saw upon the faces of those dere l\fr. RUCKER. I wanted to get the gentleman's view about it. licts of London who were being mustered into the service. I Mr. UPSHAW. Will the gentleman from New York yield? saw on the face of that hero of England the sadness of a great Mr. 1\IAcCRATE. Yes; I yield to the gentleman. sor;.ow. He recognized England had not been true to her trust; Mr. UPSHAW. Does not the gentleman think that as a gen that she had neglected her duty to her poor children, the mud eral proposition it is better for the Government to pay a little sills of her society; tha~ she had not taken care of the girls, too much of wages to a few people rather than commit itself to who, after all, make men, who by their poverty, by their run a narrow policy as to all who work for it? down condition, had sent into the world men who could not com l\Ir. MAcCRATE. I am not ready to inake a statement on bat with its struggles, and who were now in Britain's hour of that general proposition. need, when she was to slowly climb her Calvary, when she was The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Oklahoma [l\Ir. CAR to undergo her Golgotha, half-starved and all but hopeless, men TER] is recognized. whose youth bore no flowers in its branches, whose hopes burned Mr. CARTER. 1\'lr. Chairman, I am sorry my good friend from in ashes away, instead of the well-fed, upstanding men that Illinois [1\Ir. MADDEN] is not present. We had a little colloquy spring from nourished women and fathers that poverty has not a few minutes ago about a matter which I desire to have settled. crushed. England's lack of preparedness in arms and her neglect He said I made a misstatement, but, of course, he did not say it of her flesh and blood-of English boys and girls-almost led in an odious way. However, I wanted to show that when I was to her downfall. It is true they died like men, but the fields speaking I knew what I was talking about. I stated that the where the poppies grow are the burial places for probably 250,000 Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads brought in a bili Englishmen. [Loud applause.] which did not give any increase whatever to any cotmtry em The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. ployees of the Post Office except to the rural carriers, and it only l\!r. O'CONNOR. l\1r. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent gave to them 15 per cent, .whereas the bill ga-re to city employees for leave to extend my remarks in the RECORD. 20 to 30 per cent. '.rhe btll as reported by the Committee on the The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection? [After a pause.] The Post Office and Post Roads raised the salaries of the city clerks Chair hears none. to $1,000 and $1,500. Prior to that time the clerks had been 1\!r. O'CONNOR. God grant that this picture which I saw, getting from $800 to $1,200. That was an increase of exactly and '"hich I trust you will remember, will be to my country a what I said-20 to 30 per cent. Then the gentleman from Illi solemn warning. Do not neglect our poor. Do not let them nois stated, further, that I was mistaken about the committee be confronted with that poverty which beats the heart out of the not having reported an increase for clerks in third-class post bravest human being. Remember that the poor are our kith and offices. our kin, our blood, "and· once at least our paths have crossed." I have here before me the bill as reported by the committee. It Vote for this bill and pray that the God of the nations be with has no reference whatever-and I have read it carefully-to in us and our people and our country. cluding clerks in third-class post offices. It does not include them. But in the bill as the House passed it we do find this Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, language: For the good or evil side ; Including allowances for clerk h:i.re at third-class post offices. Some great cause, God's new Messiah, Offering each the bloom or blight, By reference to the CoNGRESSIONAL RECORD, page 4034, of Parts the goats upon the left band March 25, 1918, we find this language : .And the sbeep upon tbe right ; The Clerk read as follows: And tbat choice goes by forever, Mr. CARTER moves to amend by inserting on page 2, line 18, after the 'Twixt tbat darkness and light. word "employees," the words: "Including allowances for clerk hire at Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield five minutes to the gen tbird-class post offices." tleman from New York [l\Ir. l\IAcCRATE]. And on page 4035, after about a page and a half of discussion, Mr. MAcCRATE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the amend we find this amendment was carried on a dirtsion by t~llers by ment of the gentleman from Virginia [l\Ir. MoNTAGUE]. a vote of 64 ayes to 38 noes. So the bill as it was brought into 2680 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. JULY 16, the Hou ·e contained no reference whatever to and did not include $1,080, and if the Good amendment is voted down in the Ho'2se clerk at tbitd-class offices, did not eYen give them the 15 per such employee would receive $240 more, wbich would be one cent raise. ' clerk upon the roll at $1,320 and another at $2,740, making a The gentlemDn from Illinois did not vote at all. I insisted on total clerk-hire dTawing to such Member of $4,060; and I defy having him vote with me at the time, and he said: •• I · am a any member of the committee to successfully controvert that member of the committee. I think you are right, but I do not fact under the language of these different bills. want to vote against the committee." - . Now, I submit, gentlemen, that th-ough we frequently sbow Now, M1>. Chairman, let me recite a word further. The bill little consideration to the Public Treasury in this House, it is as reported by the Post Office Committee wa so manifestly un· time that we were calling some halt. [Applause.} In 1916 the fair to the country employees that the House made several Members of Congress made out on $660,000 total allowance a amendments ·equalizing their pay along with city employees,. year for clerk hire, later we raised it to $880,000 per annum, increasing compensation to the poorly paid country employees. and now we have added to it until it is nearly $1,800,000 for Then what happened! The bill went over to the Senate, but this the next fiscal year, and if you do not adopt the amendment of legislative bill increasing salaries never was consider~ by the the gentleman from Virginia you have left the door open to Senate at all. It was buried in the committee and never brought increase it several hundred thousand dollars more. And so I into the Senate for consideration. Instead of considering thi.s submit that there ought not to be a dissenting vote to that legislative bill, which had passed the House with amendments amendment. [Applause.] doing justice by the fourth-class postmasters, third-class post And while I do not think there should be a dissenting vote, office employees, and other country postal employees, the Senate still I am perfectly well a ware that there will be. I presume placed riders on the Post Office appropriation bill providing boun there will be enough votes to defeat it, because my observation is tiful increases for city employees, but omitting son:ie· of the most that usually the amendment which cuts down public expendi nece sary increases for country employees. The bill was sent tO' tures meets with hard sledding, and the amendment which in conference, agreed to, then brought back here, and under whip creases them usually meets· with easy sailing. and spur, during the closing hours of a session, as I recall(t>re sed The public may wake up to the reckless waste and e:rtl·ava through the Hou e,. not on the merits of the increases but under gance of CongTes some day, but I am not optimistic enough to the necessity of furnishing funds sufficient to keep the depm-t hope that they will do it very soon. ments of the Government going: Now, that is the' truth about The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from Te:x:as has the whole matter and explains bow the will of' this House was expired. The gentleman from California [Mr. Noc.A.N] is recog defeated and how the underpaid postal employees WOJ:king out nized for five minutes. in the rural sections were euchred out of their just rights. Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Viro-inia Now, I simply make that statement in order that in the future [1\.Ir. MoNTAGUE] offei'ed an am~ndment which violates the prin our Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads will under ciple of this bill, that Members of Congress will reserve the stand and the House will understand exactly the conditions right to themselves to pay employees in their offices less than about it. If any such measure is brought in in the future; the the Government of the United States pays to its employees. That House will understand the situation and ought to see to it that is what you are going to do,, gentlemen. There has been a great the counh-y postal employees are provided with a living wage. deal of talk-I will not say scandal, but a great deal of com .[Applause.] ment-about the way Members handled their clerk-hire money in The CH.URMA.N. Tbe time of the gentrernan ftoll'i Oklahom!l times gone by. It resulted iri the la-st Congress in providing has expired. $3,200 for clerk hire for Members, and the Members who advo- · ~Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman. I would like to clo e debate on cated that advocated it on this ground: We gave them the oppor this amendment. tunity to employ an additional stenographen at $1,200 a ye..'l.l'. l\fr. BLACK. I ,,.·auld like fi:ve minute on this partiCular Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chairman, will-the gentleman yield? amendment. M1·. NOLAN. I can not yield. I have but five minutes. It was given on the graund that each Member must employ ~1r. NOLAN. I will ask unanimous eon ent that the debate two clerks and disb.·ibute that $3,200 as he saw fit. And in ou tbi · particular ·amendment be closed in 10 minutes. That will addition to that, mind you, each one of these two clerks, under include 5 minutes fm· the gentleman from Texas [1\fl:. BLACK] the ruling, draws $240 a year bonus. It means $3,680 for clerk and 5 minutes for myself. hire to· each Member of this House. Now, the man who em l\1r. Bh~TON. That will not .Preclude debate on a.notll~r ploys one clerk-and I understand some men do-at $3,000 a amendment? · year-and I understand some of them employ them in their ho.me 1\fr. NOLAN. No. cities at $20Q-that particular employee in the home city gets Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chainnan, I h E> pe that the gentleman from from the Government of the United States in the way of bonl1s California [l\fr. NoLAN] will agree to this amendment which has $40 a yerrr more than is paid by the Member. How can you been offered by the gentlema:n from Virginia [l\Ir. JllONT.A.GDE]. Members of Congress justify an exception of this kind~ When we pas ·ed tne bill a few days ago increasing the. clerk Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield! hire allowance to Members we provided an allowance of 3,200 1\1r. NOLAN. No; I have only five minutes. You say to the to be paid to not more than two clerks. It wa evidently the Government of the United States in all departments, "You mu t intention of Congress that we retain one clerk at $2,000, which pay a minimum wage of $90 a month to all the employees."'' was the salary of our secretaries before this last increase· was Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? made, and another at $1,200, if the Member should need such Mr. NOLAN. Then you say you are going to exempt your own other clerk. An effoTt was made during the consideration of employees. the bill to put a limitation upon it which would definitely fix the 1\fr. BLACK M.r. Cbairman-- salary of one clexk at $2,000' and the salary of another at $1,200. Mr. NOLAN. Just a minute. I can not yield. I have but five But some gentlemen made the argument tllat they had old and minutes. trusted clerks, and they wanted to put them on the roll at $2,500, The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman declines to yield. and give the remainder to another cleTk, and therefore the House Mr. NOLAN. You say you are going to exempt your own em refu ed to put that limitation upon it. I was earnestly in favor ployees. ·How can yeu justify that! There is absolutely no of limiting the salary to any one clerk to $2,000, and did an that foundation for the statemeDt that if this bill pa ses it rai es I could to get that limitation agreed to. The RECORD of tha:t the clerk hire beyond $3,200 a year. There is an absolute Iimita: date will show my efforts in that behalf. tion on the cl~rk hire to Members of Congress. ·what this would Now, under present conditions of affairs, as soon as some Mem do would be to say to Members of Congress, as to everybody ber puts upon fue roll a clerk at $2,500, such clerk then becomes else, "You can not employ them for less than $90 a month." It an employee of the United States Government and receiveS' the would mean that you would have to apportion your $3,200 on bonus of $240 per annum, which wouJd make a total compensation a basis of $90 to one person and the rest to another clerk, plus of $2,7 40 for that one clerk. . the bonus. That is absolutely right. That can not be ques Mr. HERSEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? tioned. If you adopt this amendment,. you open the door to Mr. BLACK. I can not yield now. Suppose he puts tbe other discrimination. clerk on the roll at $700. That clerk would receive' the $700 Mr. BLACK. Will the gentleman point out the reason! and the $240 bonus, making a total salary 6f $940, and if tbis Mr. NOLAN. I am trying to po-int out the reason. , minimum-wage bill passes he would undoubted1y, unless you The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen will address the Ohair when adopt the amendment of the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. they want recognition. MoNTAGUE], receive the beneftts of it, because it would be the , Mr. NOLAN. Three thousand two hundred dollars. is allowed, latest expression of the will of Congress, and would be the law, i and you can appoint two clerks. In addition to that $3,200, each and thus the employee whom the Member of Congress put on the one of these two clerks draws 240 bonus. It means $3,680 to roll at $700 would immediately nave his salary increased to each Member for clerk hire. You can apportion that as you 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 2681 l lik~ ; .$3,000 to one and $200 to another~ or '$2,000 to :one and ' Committee !ailed to bring in a measure here increasing t~ $1.200 -to another; any way you want to. If you adopt the allowance for clerk hire in third-class post offices. The gentle amendment ·of the gentleman from Virginia, you stand before man from Oklahoma [Mr. CARTER] brings here a bill which was. this country in the light The Clerk read as follows:: In the law of 191'8 that allowance w.as '$300, :and :e increased \ AmE'Ildment off:erea by Mr. -JONES .of 'll.'aas: Page 2, :1:ine '7, .:after .the it '50 per cent. word " clerks," add the following : Mr. CARTER. There is no contr-oversy between the gentle u Provided, fourth-c1ass postmasters sba1l her.eafter be paid not 1ess man and :me. 'The statement I made was this, thn.t in tbe :bill than $720 per annum." brought in for the increase 1n salaties- Mr. JONES •of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I think the :issues ln· · Mr. RANDALL of California. I :am .talkmg ·rubout the Post vol'led here have 'been pretty well thrashed uut, il.nd I do not {)ffi.ce appropriation bill. care to discuss the matter at length, but simply to 'Call atten- ; Mr. CARTER. That in the bill for the. inm"ea e in -salaries tion to the fact that for a long period of time there bas been no rthe clerks for thira-elass postmasters were not taken ·care of. increase allowed in the compensa:tion ·of fourth-class :postmas· They were taken care .of afterwards by having it .inserted .in the - ters; and as a resu1t of this attl:tnde on "the pa:rt of the Govern Senate and not in the Post Office Committee of the House. ment many post offices have 'been abandoned that -should be Mr. R.Al\'DALL of California. I r.emember distinctly that it continued. If this amendment is adopted by the Dongress, it was discus ed in the Post Office Dommittee of the House ..ana will establish a minimum payment to postmasters of '$720 J)er adopted there. year. I do not believe there is 'H.ny Member of this Honse who fr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, :I trust that the amendment .Qf thinks that a man should hold the position of postmaster and the gentleman from 'I'exas will not be agreed to. The discussion assume the responsibility which the Government places upon 'this afternoon will probably result in :Som-e benefit in giving con the shoulders ·of postmasters in this country .for less than $720 sideration to the .salaries not only of the fourth-ctn.. ss postmasters per year. The mail that goes to persons in the -country is just but of the postaJ.employees. I do not think this is the place to as important to them as tha.t which goes to persons in the city legislate for '()ther emJ)loyees. I think we can get more intelli· is to the people of the city. It is important that all the :postal gent consideration of these things through the Post Office Oom. faeilities should be _furniShed to people all ·over the :united mi.ttee, and I hope the amendment will be voted down. States. This Government can well afford to do tha.t. During · Mr. UPSHAW. Mr. Chairman, I came to the House with the the last three months I have received notices of the discontinu firm conviction that I was going to support this bill against all ::mce of 10 different post offices in the district that I represent, amendments. I am in sy..mpathy with the spirit of the bill. simply because the Post Office Department could get no one to :But inasmuch .as the .fourth-class postmaster :has been long neg· perform the duties of t1lose offices under the present eonditions. lected, and inaslllllch as this .amendment does give him proper Before the war they were able to get people to fill those posi· recognition, and inasmuch .as the amendment offered by the lions, but at pre ent tlHzy are unable to do so. gentleman from Texas does not interfere with the general spirit Further, I have letters from many 'Of the postm-asters, wh<> of the bill, I am in favor of it. While we are thinking of the say they .are going to continue to Tun the offices from patriotic man in overalls-and I would not vote to take .one thing from motrres and for the good of the community. I .hf,lv-e other cases the man who toils in the city-we must remember that the man where citizens of the community are making -rrp a little ibonus · between the plowhandles is also one of the twin builders of our to the fourth-class postmasters. civilization. The country post qffice that has been so long it does seem to me that the Congress could well-afford to pay · the " glimmering goal " of the rural community-the center....:... a minimum salary of $720 a year. [ApJ)lause.] the trysting pl.ace of community activities, has beP..n almost put Mr. RANDALL of California. Mr. Chairman, as J: stated out of business by. the rural free delivery. This means that awhile ago., the salaries of 20,000 J)ostma.st~s ·in the United unusual burdens ha-ve fallen upon the fonrth-class postmasters States are 1ess i:han $180 per annum, and at those offices the who yet remain, and inasmuch as this will favor tbem and will salary consists of the entire revenue of the Government re not take a dolla1~ from the city sons of. toil I .heartily favor tlle cei\ed at those offices. So if the salaries of these officers w~re amendment offered by the gentleman ftom Texas. [Applause.] increased to $720 per annum the effect would be the discon The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered tinuance of all those offices. by the gentleman from Texas [Mr. JoNEs]. But, Mr. Chairman, I rose particularly to discuss the state The question was taken ; and on a division (demanded by Mr. ment made a few moments ago by the gentleman from Dkla JONES of Texas) there were 40 ayes and 115 noes. boma [Mr. CARTER], who attempts to show that the Post {)ffice So the amendment was rejected. . . 2682 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. JULY " 16, 1\fr. BLANTON. Mr. Chair~an, I offer the following amend·; Mrt NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, there is one justification for this ment. age limit in the bill, and only one in the minds of the committee. The Clerk read as follows: The Committee on Labor felt that if it was a right principle to Page 2, line 9, strike out the word " eighteen" and insert in lieu draft a man to :fight in the Army at the age of 18 years they thereof the word "twenty." ought to be entitled to the benefits of the minimum wage. [Ap 1\lr. BLANTON. Mr. Chairman, should the Good amendment plause.] - . be defeated by action of the House, and undoubtedlY. i.t will be by The CHAIRMAN. The question ~ is on the amendment offered .a Republican majority, then under this bill every 18-year-old by the gentleman from Texas [Mr. BLANTON]. negro porter, every 18-year-old negro messenger, every 18-year The question was taken; and on a division (demanded by old negro watchman, every 18-year-old negro chargirl in the Mr. BLANTON) there were 5 ayes and 143 noes. employ of this Government-and there are thousands of them So the amendment was rejected. . would receive a salary of $110 a month, and under existing Mr. RUCKER. Mr. Chairman, I offer the following amend laws they would each get a month's vacation each year on full ment. pay. The Clerk read as follows : Mr. HERSEY. Will the gentleman yield? Page 2, line 7, after the word " clerks," insert : ·. Mr. BLANTON. No; I have only five minutes, and am sorry I "Provided, That hereafter postmasters of the fourth-class shall re ceive an annual compensation of not less than $250 plus a reasonable can not yield to tlle distinguished gentleman from Maine. Now, allowance for rent, light, and fuel. I want to show the Cong1'ess that such a proposal is ridiculous in the extreme and is out of all reason and out of all proportion Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman; I make a point of order against to the salaries paid white men and women throughout our lanu the amendment. by the private business enterprises of our Nation. I want to Mr. RUCKER. What is the point of order? _ read you some excerpts from what people say in my district on Mr. NOLAN. It reduces the amount ·provided in this bill, that question: which is a minimum-wage bill, and it is not germane to the bill. Mr. A. W. Sledge, eclitor of the Ledger, the daily newspaper The CHAIRMAN. The Chair will hear the gentleman from of Ballinger, Tex., advises that there are assistant cashiers in Missouri. the banks of Runnels County, Tex., who do not get over $100 Mr. RUCKER. On the amendment or on the point of order? per month; that the salaries of bookkeepers in said banks range The CHA.IRMAN. Does the gentleman from Missouri wish to from a. minimum of $65 to a maximum of $100 per month ; that discuss the point of order? the tellers in said banks receive $100 per month; that the clerks Mr. RUCKER. I do not; r want to diMcuss the amendment. in said banks receive from $40 to $85 per month; that the jani The CHAIRMAN. The point of ordoc is sustained. tors in said banks receive $30 per month; that said banks of Mr. JONES of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer the follmving Runnels County allow only 10 days' vacation on pay per year; amendment. that there are many women clerking in the stores in Runnels Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that de County, working nine hours per day, on salaries ranging from bate on this section and an· amendments thereto close in 30 $40 to $65 per month; that the people at home are becoming minutes. aroused over the extravagant ideas of Congress in wasting the The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California· asks public money in granting salaries out of all reason and propor· unanimous consent that all debate on the section and amend tion to value of service rendered, and want it checked. ments thereto close in 30 minutes. Is there objection? Mr. Harry G. Hubert, editor of the Democrat-Voice, the lead l\Ir. BLACK. I object. ing newspaper published in Coleman County, Tex., advises me Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I move that all debate on ec that there are bank cashiers in Coleman County, Tex., who do tion 1 and all amendments thereto close in 30 minutes. not get more than $100 per month; that there are some assistant Mr. BLACK. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order tllat cashiers in banks there who do not get more than $85 per month ; this bill is subject to amendment, and when a Member offers an that the bookkeepers in the banks of Coleman County get sal amendment under the rules of the House he is entitfed to five aries ranging from $60 to $125 per month; that the janitors in minutes. said banks get salaries ranging from $35 to $60 per month; that The CHAIRMAN. The point of order is not well taken. The the night watchmen in said banks get salaries ranging from $50 House can control its own proceedings. The motion is that all to $60 per month. debate on this section and amendments thereto close in 30 , l\Ir. w: H. Carpenter, editor of the Chief Exponent, the lead- minutes. ing and oldest newspaper published in Comanche County, Tex., Mr. WINGO. A parliamentary inquiry. advises me that the bookkeepers in the banks of Comanche The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will state it. County, Tex., receive salaries ranging from $700 per year to Mr. WINGO. There has been no debate on the pending $1,500; that many of said bookkeepers work for $700 per year, amendment. which is a little less than $60 per month, rind that the people The CHAIRMAN. A point of order was made to the amend are against Congress fixing salaries out of all reason and pro ment, and the point of order was sustained. portion. Mr. WINGO. The gentleman from Texas offers an amend The Daily Index Co., publishing the leading daily newspaper ment. in Palo Pinto County, Tex:., advises me that in 'Palo Pinto County, The CHAIRMAN. But the amendment of the gentleman from Texas has not been reported. Tex., the average salary paid by the banks to bank clerks is $75 Mr. WINGO. I do not want the committee to say that it is per month, and that the minimum salary paid to bookkeepers in within the power of the man having charge of the bill to have a said banks is $100 per month. section read and one amendment offered that might be bun This Congress is as wild as a March hare when the subject of combe, debated, and then move that all debate on the whole sec Government salaries and rights of labor unions are under con tion be closed. sideration. Mr. NOLAN. We have been discussing this bill for the last Have you ever seen a west Texas cowboy rope the forefeet of three hours. a running yearling? That is what is going to happen to some Mr. WINGO. Suppose we have£ [Cries of "The regular of us Congressmen unless we change about and quit throwing order!"] away tile public money and thus placing additional burdens upon The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the motion offered by the all'eady tax-burdened shoulders of the people. the gentleman from California that all debate on this section 1\:lr. I1~ ITZGERALD. Let we say to the gentleman from Texas and all amendments thereto close in 30 minutes. , that they ought to haye a mmlmum-wage commission in his The question was taken; and on a division (demanded by Mr. State. WINGO) there were 133 ayes and 19 noes. · Mr. BLANTON. They ought to have a little more reason in Mr. WINGO. Mr. Chairman, I ask for tellers. this Congre s. The question of ordering tellers was taken; and but 18 Mem- The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. bers rising, tellers were denied. 1\:fr. FITZGERALD. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the Mr. ·wiNGO. Mr. Chairman, a parliamentary inquiry. gentleman whether he thinks those wages are adequate. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will state it. l\1r. BLANTON. If the gentleman will give me more time I Mr. WINGO. If subsequent amendments are offered to the will answer him. section, they can not be discussed. Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that The CHAIRMAN. Amendments can be offered, but debate is all debate on this amendment close in five minutes. closed. The CHAilll\1AN. The gentleman from California. asks unani- Mr. WINGO. In other words, the cominittee does not care mous consent that all debate on this amendment close in five to discuss any proposition except the one pending. In other mi11nle~. Is there objection? l words, close the mouth of those y;lw waet to e1Ctend this to Tl1erc w~s no objection. country Government eruplo;;-ees? 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--HOI SE. 2683 The CHAiilliAN. The Clerk will report the amendment ' for just a moment, because I fear that we are in great. dan~er offered by the gentleman from Texas. of doing a deserving class of public .serv-ants a very serwus m- f 1 justice. I ask that :representatives of the great city populations PagThee Clerk2, line r7,ea dufter as theol ow&rdws: "cler:ks,H add the fo.P,owing: consider the situation of the fourth-class po&master. You have u Provided, That fourth-cla ss postD;~,as ters shall rece1ve a compe.nsu- not any o;f them in your districts, perhaps, but some of us nave. tion of not less thun $320 per unnum. - I have110t a great many of them, but they are very deserving men 1\Ir. NOLAN. l\Ir. Chairman, I make the point of order ·and women. There can be no denial of the fact that they are the against the amendment. ' most poorly paid of all the employees of the Government. ·They The CHAIRMAN. The point of ocder is sustained. get less for what they do than anyone else who is cori.nected with 1\lr. WINGO. Upon what ground? the Government. There are 20,000 -of these postmasters in the Mr. NOLAN. I make the point of order that it is not ger- United States who receive less than $180 per annum, ·and some mane to the bill, which is a minimu.rn-wage bilL of them receive almost nothing. The ~ompensation attached to Mr. WINGO. Does not the amendment seek to fix a mini- some of these positions is so ridiculously small as to amorint to mum? very little more than the privilege of reading the postal cards that 1\Ir. NOLAN. It provides for a specifi.-c amoun4 and it cr·eates may be passing through. [Laughter.] a differential in the rates. I realize that some of the amendments that have been offered · Mr. WINGO. Does the gentleman claim and will the Chair on behalf of the fourth-class postmasters have gone to an un rule that we have to take the standard of differential or mini- reasonable length. ·I have voted for all of these amendments, mum wage reported by the committee, that we have to take t~e but realize that while they- would do rough justice to fomth minimum that the committee reports, that we can not make 1t class postmasters as a class, in certain cases they would give larger or smaller or qualify the minimum? That is a ~-o~ the officer more pay than would be proper. I have realized that astol:rnding proposition, that this House can not fix any nnru- it would be necessary to iron out inequalities and to modify the mum that it desires, that it can not classify any employees of measure, as would be done in the Senate. Some postmasters the Government because this iS a minimum wage bill for· the do very little, and, of course, they get ·very little, and it is right employees of the Government. To say that we can not take. out that they should get but little return for little work. But a man one class and sav that we will have this minimum for this class ought to get fair pay for what he does, whether it be much or and another for· another class is a ridiculous proposition. little. The gentle.man in charge of this bill [1\lr. NoLAN] would Mr. RUBEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to say in addition to not for a moment advocate paying these fourth-class postmasters what the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. WINGO] has said, that less for the time they actually put in than the minimum he fixes this bill specifically exempts fourth-class postmasters and does in the bill for other Government employees, and the purpose of not fu:: their compensation at all. It does not apply to them. this amendment is to secure to these fourth-class postmasters The gentleman from Texas proposes an amendment that applies a minimum of 37! cents per hour for the time they actually to fourth-class postmasters, and this bill does not fix the mini- put in. 'mum wage for them at all. · If a postmaster puts in only one hour a day, he will receive 1Ur. NOLAN. The bill provides specifically a minimum rate only 37! cents for his day's work; if he puts in 10 hours, he and certain exemptioils with fixed· minimum rates of $3 per day, will get $3.75 a day. There is nothing unreasonable or extrava,_ $90 per month, or $1.080 per year, and an hoW:ly rat~ of 37! gant about that. This ought to be done. No man on the floor cents. An amendment whicll seeks to fix a differential pro- of the House will deny the justice of paiing these postmasters 'i.din"" for a different minimum wage is not germane. . as much as 37! cents an hour for the time they actually put in ' 1\11·~ WINGO. 1\Ir. Chairman, will the gentleman yield! on their jobs as computed by the Postmaster General. ~f.r. NOLAN. Yes. I do not favor extravagance, of course, but I do fav-or justice. 1\Ir. WINGO. Does the gentleman mean to say that the only This great Government can not a.:fford to be unjust even to its mii.umum that we can consider is the one reported by the com- humblest employee. People sometimes laugh at fourth-class ·mittee? That iS the logic of his argument. postmasters. Why do they laugh at them? It is chiefly be~ Mr. NOLAN. I say that yon are trying to create a differen- · cause of the poor pay they get. The poor pay attached to it tial rather than a minimum. makes the office ridiculous. These postmasters repres:ent our · 1\fr. WINGO. Can we amend three and make it four?. Government; they are about the only Government officers that 1\lr. .ANTHONY~ Mr. Chaii:man, a parliamentary inqurry. some people' ever see. The office should have some dignity about The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will state it.. . . it. The way to dignify it is to pay a fair compensation to the 1\ir. ANTHONY. Mr. Chairman, I want to ask the Chair if man or woman who holds it. Why, a man can not afford to the Chair has not already ruled on this matter and if this dehate accept the position nt many post offices unless he can rnn a is not out of order. . store or some other business in connection with it, so that he T:tle CHAIRMAN. The Chair will state that th,e Chalr has can not give .all his time to serving the patrons -of the office. ruled upon this questio~ and that debate is out o.f order, but We ought to change this. We ought to make a postmastership the _Chair did not care to shut off debate. ~e Chair wishes to worth holding for its own sake. . state to the gentleman from Arkansas that if the amendment But the argument is made that postmasters are not dealt had been for the purpose of fixing a minimum wage for fourth- with in this bill·; that we ought to except them so as to leave class postmasters it would have been in order, but this is not. them to look for relief to the Committee on the Post Office and Mr. JONES of Texas. That is what it does; that the wage Post Roads. The answer to that argument is that these men shall n-ot be less than $340 per year. and women have been reaching out their hands to that commit- 1\:lr. CALDWELL. :Mr. C4aiTman, a parliamentary inquiry. tee; they have been appealing to them for help for years and - What has the Chair ruled? · Th d h e b k" o- that commit · Tl1e CHAIRMAN. The Chair ruled that the point of order is years. ese men an women av een as ~mo - tee that justice be done them, but it has not been done. The well t aken. Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads has answered with' 1\lr. WINGO. .Mr. Chairman, I respectfully appeal from the soft words and promises, but they have done very little. Post- deThcisie.onCHAof th~~~· The gentleman from Arkansas appeals masters are still going ou -at th~ old rate; some of them are work- .l...LWJ th ing from 10 to 16 hours a day and receiving $40 to $50 per from the decision of the Ohair. Tlle question is, Shall e month. It is wrong. It is an injustice; it is not fair on the "deci ·ion of the Chair stand as the decision of the committee? part of Congress that we should pass back the appeals that The committee divided; and there were-ayes 109• noes 47· these men and women are making and direct them to the com. So t he decision of the Chair was ordered to stand as the deci- mi ttee which has heard their appeals in the past and failed to sio~~-f ~~~iJ~6N. Mr. Chairman, I .off-er the following respond to them. I think we ought to do something for these ha d people now. [Applause.] [Cries of "Vote! "] amendment, which I send to the desk and ask to ve rea · The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment of the The Clerk read as follows: gentleman from Alabama. Amendment by Mr. HUDDLESTON : Page 2, line 15, after the words The question was taken; and the Chair announced the noe~ " t,~~ 1!~l;ejns~a:t in c.omp.uting the pay which postmaster,s shall be seemed to have it. aid the PoStmaster General shall estim:ate the time each such post- On a division (demanded by 1\Ir. HUDDLESTON) there were- ~asi e r is required to serve on a daily average in the performance of his duties, and shaH pay him not less than 3H c.ents per honr :for such ayes 45, noes 109. time." So the amendment was rejected. · 1\-lr. HUDDLESTON. Mr. . Cha:irnmn, I know the committee Mr. DAVEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer the follou.i.ng amen(). !is very impatient. I am very impatient myself to get through · ·m.ent. · with this bill, but I trust that Members will be willing to listen The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will report the amendment. 2684 .CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-_ HDUSE. JULY 16, The Clerk read as follows: 1\fr. NOLAN. 1\Ir. Chairman, I desire to make the point of Page 2, line 5, after the word " act," insert: order at this time that the gentleman's amendment is-- "And pro"Vided further, That the minimum wage of temporary clerk~ 1\Ir. WALSH. It is too late. and carriers of the Post Office Department shall be 50 cents per hom, and that each permanent employee of the Post Office Department in the The CHAIRMAN. The point of order is too late. It is over classified service shall receive the special bonus of $240 per annum durmg ruled. the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, as provided for other Government 1\fr. JONES of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I make one appeal in employees, and this shall be in addition to the amount otherwise pro behalf of :;t class of people who have no organization formed and vided." no organized propaganda in their behalf-for the man who lives 1\Ir. NOLAN. 1\Ir. Chairman, I make the point of order against in the country who wants his mail and is entitled to it just the the amendment, which provides a bonus on a minimum-wage bill. same as the man who lives in the city. Before the ~o.st of living Mr. DAVEY. Will the gentleman reserve his point of order? became so high, it was easy to maintain what is ordinarily termed Mr. NOLAN. I will reserve it. the "country club house," the post offices where the various Mr. DAVEY. Mr. Chairman, I wish to say in the beginning I people met and secured their mail and carried on the conversa am in favor of the bill itself, but am against.the Good amend tion of the neighborhood. But now, since ~he cost of living has ment. I offer this amendment in entire good faith, because it become so high, it has been absolutely impossible for them to main has a direct bearing upon the very. serious situation in the Postal tain these post offices in the country districts and thus enable Service. In the principal city in my district it is really almost the people who are tilling the soil of this country to receive their impossible to employ and keep efficient labor in the Post Office mail ~t regular intervals. Service. The situation is so bad to-day that they are 30 clerks Now, I submit that there is no one who ought to lJe willing to short in the city of Akron. They no sooner bring in a ne':V deny the man who follows the plow the privilege of getting his clerk than he becomes dissatisfied at the low pay, goes across mail simply to save the paltry sum that would be saved by not the street, and hires out at a new job at a higher rate, and allowing this amendment. If you permit this minimum to be paid it is physically impossible for the men who are left there to to postmasters of this country, then, by supplementing their work ,handle the work efficiently. I appeal to the membership of tp.is ·with the other little business which they can conduct in the House to give relief to these conditions, which are real and community, they will be able to maintain the post office, and not fancied. many of these letters which we are daily receiving from all over The minimum rate paid for temporary clerks, I unaerstand, this country will cease to come. is 40 cents an hour. This is less than the ordinary laborer gets, Now, I ask you in behalf of the people who have not organized and I can not blame these men who are called upon to pass tests and made a raid upon Congres to do thi.s. This is one class of of mentality for refusing to work for these wages, and you can people that have not been the beneficiaries of any of the recent not keep these temporary clerks who are so urgently needed and increases. We increased the clerks $120 per year and then $240 from whom you expect to develop worthwhile permanent em· per year, and have made various other increases. And by the .ployees. As far as the postal employees generally are concerned, . very terms of this bill we provide increases for practically every 'r understand that they have been given an increase of only $200 one else in this Government. I submit that we can well afford ~ a year; and I wish to say, gentlemen, that in view of the rapid to say to the country communities, where the products of this rise of the cost of living it is impossible to keep good efficient country are grown," We will allow you $320 a.s a minimum and men in the service in adequate numbers. I offer this amendment furnish you with postmasters." The drift has been recently, for in the utmost good faith, because there is a desperate situation the last few years, very much from the ~ountry districts to the in the city of Akron and there is an equally desperate situation cities, simply because the advantages have been with the people in every other city. Many good men have remainel} in the who live in the cities. Can you hope to· have this condition service in spite of the hard conditions under which they have remedied when you grant people in the cities certain rights and been forced, in the hope that Congress would speedily give deny them to those who live in the country? Many here pay them the just consideration to which they are entitled, They tribute to the country people and then vote against theiJ.· rights. expect proper attention to their urgent needs and just claims. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expire~ They expect it now, not many weary months hence, when many 1\fr. WINGO. Will the gentleman yield? more good men will have lost hope and left the service. Noth The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. ing more vitally concerns the business, civic, and social life of Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I ask that the amendment · be ·this Nation than the Postal Department. It requires and de voted down. It shows the inconsistency of the gentleman that serves capable men of character and capacity and dependability. he offered at one stage of the bill an amendment for $750 and You must pay them what they are worth according to present standards of value or you must expect to ruin the service. now goes down to $320. Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order against Mr. WINGO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike out the last the amendment. word. · The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from California desire The gentleman from California [Mr. NoLAN] says that the to say anything in reference to his point of order? amendment of the gentleman from Texas [Mr. JoNES] shows 1\fr. NOLAN. The point of order is that it provides for a inconsisfency because he first made an effort to get $700 or bonus and is not germane to a minimum-wage bill. more for these underpaid servants of the public, and because Mr. WINGO. Does the gentleman c·ontend that compensa he could not get that he charges him with being inconsistent tion may not be in the nature of a bonus or- that it can be only because he tries to get a dollar a day. in the nature of an hou·rly, a daily, or weekly scale of wages? If it is impossible for a saddle-colored messenger, sitting in a Mr. NOLAN. I am contending that the gentleman's amend swivel chair in the corridors of a public building in Washington, ment provides for a bonus and it is not germane to a minimum- to m~.intain a decent standard d'f living without getting $3 a ;wage bill. . - dav I maintain it is impossible for the hard-working country Mr. WINGO. -He will not care what you call it if you give it postmaster, working 10 hours a day, to maintain a decent stand to him. ard of living on the $1 a day which is proposed by the amend ; The CHAIRMAN. The first part of the gentleman's am~nd ment. ment is in order, but that portion with reference to the bonus is You are charged with inconsistency if you refuse to consider not in order. any amendment except that which comes down to the narrow 1 1\fr. DAVEY. Then I desire to strike out the last portio~ in standard of the committee which reported this bill. They are reference to-- wonderful gentlemen. It might be better for the world if w·e The CHAIRMAN. That can not be done, and inasmuch as a had more dreamers like them in legislative halls. I do not criti part of the amendment is not in order, then the whole amend cize their handiwork, but it comes with poor grace for them to ment is not in order. The point of order is sustained. charO'e inconsistency when they pick out one class of employees Mr. DAVEY. Then I shall offer the first part of the amend- and ~bject to our voting to do the same justice to another class ment. , • of employees. Since when did it become more necessary to give Mr. JONES of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer the following a living wage to men in the cities and deny it to the workers of -Rmendment. the towns and the country? You and not me are inconsistent. The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will report the amendment. It is the object here to furnish a minimum wage, · and why The Clerk read as follows: should ~e not have a minimum wage that destroys the com P age 2 lin'lt'•7, add "Provided hereafter all fourth-class postmasters mittee's standard if it is a better minimum wage standard? Jhall be p'aid a minimum of not less than $1 per day." Why should gentlemen inveigh against others who are trying Mr. KNUTSON. I would like to ask the gentleman from to help these poorly paid Government employees and charge -Texas lf this amendment has the approval of the Postmaster them with inconsistency? It is a serious problem in the coun General? try co.mmunities of the United States to get employees to I1andle . 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-·HOUSE. 2685 the mail. I know in certain places where rural routes are l\1r. RUCKER. Of course, I am not seriously _expecting that located they can not get postmasters to run the ·offices because this section will be stricken out, but I want to express the sur the remuneration is not sufficient. I submit that a fourth-class ·prise that I have met with here to-day. - For the gentleman who postmaster, giving 10 hours a day, although he may not work has charge of this bill I have a profound respect, both as an continuously that 10 hours a day, but must be on duty all the individual and as a Representative of his great district. But time, works harder than the majority of these saddle-colored I am astounded to see the narrow channel into which the gen messengers that sit down here in these departments. [Ap tleman, by reason of the domination of some organization in plause.] this country, has been forced. Mr. KNUTSON. Will the gentleman yield? The title of this bill, let me suggest to the gentleman from The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. California [Mr. NoLAN], ought to be amended so that it would All time has expired. The question recurs on the amendment read, "A~ bill to fix the compensation of certain employees of offered by the gentleman from Texas [Mr. JoNEs]. the United States who reside in cities." All the employees in The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the .whose behalf the gentleman and all of his supporters have ad noes seemed to have it. dressed themselves reside in cities. They are lucky enough to Mr. JONES of Texas. Division, Mr. Chairman. get hold of a Government job, and the gentleman is strenuous The committee divided; and there were-ayes 4..(), noes 102. in his devotion to their interests. Gentlemen here talk about the So the amendment was rejected. absurdity of men trying to live on small wages-$700 or $800 Mr. DAVEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment. a year-and yet I tell you that in this broad .land of ours brave The CHAIRMAN. . The gentleman from Ohio offers an amend- men, patriotic men, are performing a public service every day ment, which the Clerk will report. for far less money. The gentleman from California denies us The Clerk read as follows: the privilege of offering amendments, and by exercising the Page 2, line 15. after the word " actt insert : power which the Committee on Labor gives coerces, in my judg· ({And provided further, That the mmimum pay of temporary clerks ment, the votes of Members here. and carriers of the Post Office Department shall be 50 cents per hour, and tbat the minimum salaries of permanent employees of the Post Office Oh, I know the power of organized labor in this country, but Department in the classified service shall be not less than $240 per I want to say to you that if enough meii in this House will annum above the amount already provided by law during the fiscal vote with me I would see this bill hung up until doomsday before ye.ar ending June 30, 1920." it ever passed this House, unless the gentleman relaxes a little The CHAIRMAN. The question recurs on the amendment and becomes more generous to men who labor outside of the offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. DAVEY]. cities. I am perfectly willing to vote against it, although I came The question was taken, 1J.nd the amendment was rejected. here for it. If I could defeat it, I would vote against it. I Mr. RUCKER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike out the pro would defy the advocates of this bill and every beneficiary of viso. this bill, if I had the power to beat it, until such time as they Mr. MONTAGUE. I ask leave to revise and extend my re put their affairs in the hands of men who would be broad marks on the amend.I:q,ent which I offered. enough and compassionate enough to know that in this broad The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Virginia asks unani land of ours there are good men and worthy men besides those mous consent to extend his remarks in the RECORD. Is there who live within the corporate limits of cities. But outside of the objection? wine growers in the gentleman's district, there is not a man on There was no objection. earth that can excite his compassion or arouse his interest, it . Mr. DAVEY. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to ex seems, Unless he belongs to organized labor and resides in some tend my remarks in the RECORD. city. Organized labor and organized whisky rings~ it seems, The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gen have exerted wonderful influence in the last few days, but tlem£n from Ohio? thank God at least the influence of the liquor forces is growing There was no objection. less and less. Mr. RUCKER. My amendment is to strike out the proviso But. Mr. Chairman, I think this Congress to-day is perpetrat ,beginning on line 9. ing a tragedy upon the rights of the people of this Nation. We The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will report the amendment have appealed all along the line and asked for fair wages for offe;:.ed by the gentleman from Missouri. men who perform public service, asked for half wages, asked The Clerk read as follows: for a mere pittance, and every time we have appealed for a Amendment offered by Mr. RuCKER: On line 9, after· the word man .who is not blessed with a city residence we find the gen "years," strike out the remainder of the section. tleman from California rising in his place and making points The CHAIRMAN. The question is on agreeing to the amend- of o:rder or waving his magic wand and controlling the voices ment. of free men. As far as I am concerned, I am getting tired of Mr. RUCKER. Mr. Chairman, I want to be heard on it. this spectacle, and I am not going to y-ield obedience to the humor The CHAIRMAN. The time has expired. of committees because of the strength they have, or are sup· Mr. RUCKER. Then I ask unanimous consent to address posed to have, in the enforcement of their views. myself to the amendment. - Mr." .Chairmari:, I witlidraw the amendment I offered. · Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I can not agree to that. The CHAIRMAN. · Without objection, the amendment will be Mr. RUCKER. The gentleman is making a mistake. There withdrawn. is not a man strong enough in the United States to coerce my Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike out the last vote. I wish to withdraw my amendment, Mr. Chairman. I word. want to say to the gentleman that the labor gang can not run me. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California moves tQ. The CHAIRMAN. The question is on agreeing to the pending strike out the last word. amendment. Mr. NOLAN. 1\fr. Chairman, the gentleman from Missouri The question was taken, and the amendment was rejected. [Mr.. RucKER], my good friend, as usual when he can not have Mr. RUCKER. Mr. Chairman, a parliamentary inquiry. his own way, gets a little bit peeved and makes statements The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will state it. here·that are not entirely in accordance with the facts. · This Mr. RUCKER. Do I understand that the chairman of the bill takes care of all Federal employees employed by the_ committee has foreclosed all debate on the bill? Government of the United States in the cities, towns, and vil The CHAIRMAN. The committee itself foreclosed debate by lages ; every public building in this country ; every lock and deciding that all debate on this section be closed in 30 minutes. dam; all post-office employees, large and' small, no matter where; 1\fr. RUCKER. There is another .section, is there not? those in the Life-Saving Service, those out in the Forestry Serv The CHAIRMAN. Yes. It has not yet been reported. ice, and those out in the Indian Service. Employees in every, 1\Ir. RUCKER. I want to serve notice that I will be heard branch of the Government are taken care of under the provi somehow or other. sions of this bill. The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read. Now, I helped as much as I could. I recollect the gentleman The Clerk read as follows : from Alabama offering his amendment increasing the salaries SEc. 2. That upon the passage of this &ct the heads o:f departments of rural carriers from 15 to 20 per cent. I have always been in which. are employed persons as defined 1n section 1 of this act shall ~onsistent in trying to help them, I do not care whether it is a . issue new appointments at the increased rate of compensation herein small country postmaster or who it is; but in all fairness I want provided. to say, in answer to the remarks of the gentleman from 1\fis· Mr. RUCKER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike out the sLssippl [1\fr. SrssoN] that you can not legislate without knowing section. something about the results of such legislation; yoa can not The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Missouri moves to safely put on amendments of this character that affect third or strike out section 2. fourth class postmasters and others. LVIII--170 ' 2686 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. JULY 16, Now, I think that the discussion here this afternoon should be a bill reported by the Post Office· Committee of the House at all, beneficial to this class of men who haYe been under discussion. but an act that was passed by CongresS. Tlie bills I hold in my I think they are entitled to consideration. I am willing to give hand are the bills reported by the committee and passed by the them all kinds of consideration; but in considering this bill-I House, and neither contains any ·of the figures given by the have before me the book of hearings on it, 425 or 430 pages-we gentleman from California but contains even less than lle said. did not go into the question of salaries of postmasters, because the law authorized to be paid to clerks of th.ii-d~class post offices we cUd not consider that that question was ·within the jurisdiction at that time, and I will read in order that there niay be no of otir committee. The gentleman speaks of the Committee on mistake. The gentleman from. California ~aid : Labor as an arhitrary committee. That committee haYe not had In the law of 1918 that allowance was $350, and we increased it 50 very much opportunity to become arbitrary. The ge~tleman per cent. speaks of my magic wand. I do not know that I exerCISe any Here is what the law says: . maaic wand; but I know this, that this bill was under considera No allowance in excess of $300 shall be made where the salary of the tio;; in the last Congress, and our good friend from Missouri postmaster is $1,100 or $1,200. supported it. That is the bill as it passed the Honse on June 29, legislative Mr. WINGO. How does the gentleman maintain his con day of June 27, 1918. sistency when he says this bill applies to clerks in post offices, So the gentleman from California him elf was mistaken when and yet he says the committee have no jurisdiction to consider he read the law and took it for granted, I presume, that the the salaries of postmasters? gentleman from Oklahoma· was an easy mark and would not Mr. NOLAN. It applies to employees in post offices-elevator attempt to reply and sh-aighten him out. None of us are always men and firemen, and so forth-- right, and I myself am right so seldom that when I do happen Mr. WINGO. In other words, it proposes to take care of one to be right I want the House to understand that I am right, and class of employees in the post office and to exclude another do not want a man to contradict it who is wrong and does not class? know what he is talking about. [Laughter.] 1\Ir. NOLAN. The amendment to exclude this class of postal Mr. RANDALL of California. Mr. Chairman-- employees was put in on the floor of the House during the con The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. sideration of the bill in September last, in the Sixty-fifth 1\Ir. CARTER. I ask unanimous consent for three minutes Congre s. more. . Mr. WINGO. Yes; but at the time I understo'Od it was The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Oklahoma asks unani defeated. mous consent that his time be extended three minutes. Is 1\fr. NOLAN. The gentleman voted for the bill. there objection? 1\fr. WINGO. I eertainly would not have voted in favor of There was no objection. discriminating against one class of employees and in favor of 1\Ir. CARTER. The gentleman from California fuxther said another class of employees. when I interrupted him-- Mr. NOLAN. The gentleman had an opportunity to defeat llr. NOLAN. I serve notice that I will'Object to any further that amendment when he was in the House at that time. As I extension or any discu sion except on the bill. said before, that exception in this bill is simply following the 1\fr. CARTER. Now, I read further from the remarks of the words which were put in on the floor of the House in the Sixty gentleman a few minutes ago, as reported by the Offi~al Re· fifth Congress. porter of. the House. Mr. WINGO. No; my vote alone was insufficient. Mr. CARTER. Does the gentleman not know that the inerense in the Mr. CARTER. Mr. Chairman, I very much dislike to butt in Post Office appropriation bill for allowances for third-class post-office clerks was plaeed 1n the bill in the Senate and not in the House? on the proceedings on this amendment, but I want to have a word Mr. RANDALL of California. No; that increase was put in by the Com to say about the amendment as soon as I get through with a mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads in the House, :md I will read little more Post Office Committee history. the law. · · As the committee will recall, a few moments ago there was a Certainly he read the law, but he did not read the bill as re controversy between the gentleman fro.rp Illinois [Mr. l\IADDEN] ported by the Post Office Committee which came to the House and myself about the action of the Post Office Committee. After and was passed by the House. wards I read the REcORD, to which the gentleman from illinois Mr. RANDALL of California. Will the gentleman yield? [Mr. lliDDEN] made no objection, and there seemed to be no Mr. CARTER. Yes; I will yield, only do not take up too much further difference between us; but the gentleman from Cali of my time. fornia [1\Ir. RANDALL] came back and took up the cudgel, and he 1\Ir. RANDALL of California. I will ask the gentleman to read seemed to be laboring under the impression that I was trying from the report of the House Post Office Committee on this para to mislead the House. He said, reading from his remarks as graph. Will the gentleman read it? reported by the Official Reporter : l\Ir. CARTER. What on earth has the report of the Post But the gentleman from Oklahoma ovel'looked the fact that the Post Office Committee to do with it? I am not talking about what Office Committee previous to that time had reported a bill in the Sixty the gentleman says in the report. I am talking about what he fifth Congress which did increase the allowance for clerks in third-class post offices by 50 per cent. I have that law before me and will read it. and his committee does in the bill 1\Ir. RANDALL of California. Will the gentleman yield? Then the gentleman proceeded to read, not the bill reported by Mr. CARTER. No; I will not yield. I want to repeat this the Post Office Committee at all but the Post Office appropriation to the gentleman from California : act passed some four months subsequent to the passage of the I am not talking about what he said l'le put in the report I salary-increase bill. Furthermore the RECORD shows that those am talking of what is in the bill. What was said in the report increases were not recomme:r;:tded by the committee, were not does not help the poor, underpaid country employee one bit even made by the House, but were made at the other end of the That is just what I am inveighing against-this camouflaging Capitol by the Senate. Now, I have before me the act-- and pretending to be doing a thlng which in reality does not Mr. MADDEN. Will the gentleman yield? exist. It is always said that something is going to be done for Mr. OARTE1R. Let me finish my statement. the third and fom·th class employees, but when the great Com Mr. MADDEN. I should like to ask a question right there. mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads brings in the bill you Mr. CARTER. I yield to the gentleman. 1\Ir. MADDEN. The gentleman stated when he was on the never see them taken care of. Now, another word, and that is that the bill which the gentle floor before that .the increase in compensation was made on his man from California refers to is the Post Office appropriation in · motion on the floor of the House. Now he says it was made act and was passed on June 27, 1918. The legislative bill to the Senate. · which the increase was made on the amendment I proposed · l\!r. CARTER. It was made on my motion on the floor of the passed this House in March, 1918, some three months prior to. House in the legislative bill which carried the increased compen the time of the appropriation act presented here. and the crentle sation, but again I say to the gentleman that when that bill man stated that the appropriation act in question passerl the went to the Senate it was pigeonholed. That bill never became House first, when it was really not in existence when the legis a law as the gentleman from illinois himself well knows. As I lative bill was considered by the House. -t·ecall, it was not even considered by the Senate Committee on :Mr. RUBEY. Mr. Chairman, I ri e for the purpose of calling Post Offices and Post Roads. After burying this salary-increase the attention of the House to the wording of section 2, which has bill the Senate attached certain increases· to the Post Office been read, and I would like to have the attention of the gentle appropriation bill, and that is the thing to which the gentleman man from California, as I want some information. Section 2 from California [1\Ir. RANDALL] referred. He was reading from reads: that act, the very act which I have just quoted, when he said That upon the passage of this act the heads of dep-artments in whieh I overlooked calling attention to the act. So the gentleman are employed persons as defined in section 1 of this act shall issue new from California [Mr. RANDALL] now comes in and presents, not appointments at tb_e increased rate of compen ation herein provided. . 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 2687 If this is passecl as \\Titten, will it not give the head of every in this House, in more t4an one case at least, two Republicans department the right to ap11oint new men to these positions and from Pennsylvania, and frequently has ignored the entire West, put out the men now employed? and given them practically no representation upon the committee. Mr. NOLAN. I do not think that is so, absolutely not. That is the reason why to-day, when Members on the Democratic 1\fr. H.UBEY. I do not think there is any question but that side try to do justice to the rural postmasters of the West only they will have authority under the provisions of this act as writ· three Republicans rise to assist them. [Applause on Democratic ten to make new appointm€nts and to appoint anybody they side.] You are going to get worse than that. Pennsylvania and pleas~. provided, of course, they come under the civil sey;vice. New York and Massachusetts dominate the Republican Party Mr. NOLAN. I think the gentleman is mistaken. and treat with contempt the farmers of the mid-West and West. Mr. RUBEY. Can the gentleman tell just what it does mean, Mr. MADDEN. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order whom are they going to appoint? that_the gentleman is not talking about anything in the bill. l\Ir. NOLAN. The men now in the positions. Mr. WINGO. Mr. Chairman, I want to say to the gentleman Mr. RUBEY. Why not say so and make it absolutely certain. from Illinois-- Mr. KNUTSON. Oh, they will all be good Democrats. Mr. MADDEN. I insist upon the point of order. Mr. NOLAN. The language in this section passed the lawyers Mr. WINGO. I can understand how an Illinois Republican, on the committee. I am not a lawyer. in view of the way Illinois has been outraged by the Republican 1\fr. RUBEY. Neither am I. Mr. Chairman, I want to say in organization in this House, does not like that subject discussed. the little time I have remaining that I intended to support this Illinois Republicans can hope for nothing at the hands of their bill. I expect to support the bill on final passage, unless some· party. thing happens after this committee rises. We adopted here the Mr. l\1ADDEN. Mr. Chairman, is the Chairman going to pay other day the Good amendment, which is an amendment that any. attention to the point of order? ought to stay in the bill. I say here and now, if that amend The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arkansas is out of ment is voted down in the House I shall not support the bill on order, and he will confine himself to his amendment. final passage. I am in favor of giving them $3 a day, I am in Mr. WINGO. All right, Mr. Chairman. I am calling the at· fa\or of giving them $90 a month, I am in favor of giving them tention of the western Members to a certain amendment in this $1,080 a year; but I am not in favor of paying them $3.80 a day, bill-- I am not in favor of giving them $110 a month, and I am not in Mr. MADDEN. What is the amendment before the com favor of giving• them $1,320 a year. mittee? 1\fr. RANDALL of California. Mr. Chairman, the trouble Mr. WINGO. The amendment before the committee is to in· with the gentleman from Oklahoma is that he is behind the sert the words " to such persons," and I am talking about such times. He refers to the act passed more than a year ago. I persons. [Laughter and applause on Democratic side.] I aijl am referring to the net passed in the last Congress, and I have talking about Republican postmasters in the hamlets of Illinois here the language of the act as it passed the House and as it for whom the gentleman refused to vote for an adequate wage. passed the Senate. As it passed the House it contained an in 1\.:lr. MADDEN. The gentleman· from Arkansas had a chance crease of clerk hire of 50 per cent for third-class post offices, in the last Congress to do that, and why did he not do it? and I submit it to the gentleman from Oklahoma for confirma· Mr. WINGO. I did try to do it, but the gentleman fought every tion. I will read from the report of the House Committee on effort, as did the leaders of the Republican Party in the last the Post Office and Po.st Roads in which the statement is made- Congress, and to-day he and they line up solidly against the There is nn increase, as shown in the bill, in the salaries of fourth fourth-class postmasters. [Applause.] class postmasters and a 50 per cent increase in the appropriation to The CHAIRl\IAN~ The tiine of the gentleman from Arkansas cover the coSt of clerical service in post offices of the third class. has expired. 1\fr. CARTER. What was the date of the passage of this; Mr. NOLAN. l\Ir. Chairman, I ask for a vote upon the amend December 8, 1918? • - ment. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from Cali The CHAIRl\IAl~. The question is on the amendment offered fornia has expired. by the gentleman from Arkansas. Mr. WINGO. Mr. Chairman, I offer the following amend The amendment was agreed to. ment. l\Ir. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike out section 2. The Clerk read as follows : The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Illinois offers an Page 2, line 18, after the word "appointment," insert the words amendment, which the Clerk W"ill report. "to such persons." The Clerk read as follows : l\1r. NOLAN. Mr. Chairman, I accept the amendment. Amendment by•Mr. CANNO~ : Strike out section 2 of the bill. Mr. WINGO. Mr. Chairman, this is the last section of the bill. In a few moments the gentleman in charge of the bill will Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I want to read section 2. It is move that the committee rise, and with it will die the efforts as follows: SEc. 2. That upon the passage of this act the heads of departments that have been made to do justice to all Federal employees and in which are employed persons as _defined in section 1 of this act shall not " certain " of them, as the title of the bill reads. The title issue new appointments at the increased rate of compensation herein of the bill is to fix the compensation of·" certain " employees of provided. tl1e United States. I, for one, have grown sick and tired of I do not believe for the purpose of this bill that section is Congress picking out one particular class of employees and rais necessary. Why should there be appointments by wholesale ing their salaries or wages and ignoring all others. To-day and by legislation? I should be very glad to be interrupted if effort after effort was made by members of the Democratic side anyone can give me a reason for it. of the House to do justice to the other employees of the Govern Mr. NOLAN. I will state to the gentleman from Illinois that ment, the great majority of whom reside in the rural districts as the committee understood it, with a practical reclassification of the South and West. in the way of a minimum-wage bill, it is necessary to direct Time after time when such amendments were offered the Re some authority to the heads of depal'tments to issue new ap· publicans, with their overwhelming ma]ority, voted them down. pointments at the increased compensation. At no time did more than three Republicans rise to support Mr. CANNON. But the bill increases the compensation. amendments to this bill to do justice to this underpaid class of 1\fr. NOLAN. It can not affect the persons employed. Federal employees in the South and the West. Only three Re Mr. CANNON. Why not? . publicans voted to give fourth-class postmasters a minimum of 1\fr. NOLAN. It does not authorize any new appointments, $1 a day. I want to say to my western Republican friends that because practically every one of these employees is a statutory they need not be surprised. You will get the same kind of employee or else provided for under a lump sum. treatment by the organization of your party in this House on Mr. GOLDFOGLE. Does not the bill automatically increase every other occasion that comes up under the present dominant the salaries without any new commissions or appointments? power of the Republican Party. You went out into the West Mr. CANNON. It is just like a bonus. Every employee who in the last campaign and you raised the hue and cry that the is getting less than $3 a day, who comes under this bill, will get South was in the saddle, but you will have to go back to your his $3 a day or whatever the bill provides for. Three dollars a people and explain to them why it is that the 'Vest, and espe day may abide permanently in the law or it may not. There may cially the rural people of the West, can get nothing out of this be people who ought not to be reappointed. I do not know. Republican Congress. The only explanation that you can make Why should you compel by a provision of the law that the will be that under the Republican rule Massachusetts and New Executive shall reappoint every man or woman who is covered York and Pennsylvania are in the saddle. by the bill? You may say that the bill means nothing; that you Mr. MADDEN.. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? take from the President or the heads of the departments, as the Mr. WINGO. No. Let us take the committees of Congress. case may be, the power to make appointments. I have no doubt The Republican Party has placed on the important committees that there are some people who ought not to be reappointed. 2688 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. JULY 16, 1 Seeing no necessity for this section, I move to strike it out. You Platt Rowe Stephens, Miss. Welling Pou Rubey Sumners, Tex. Wilson, La. may just as well provide that all this army of people who get Quin Rucker Thomas Wise the bonus by prior or war-time legislation shall be reappointed. Radcliffe Saunders, Va. Venable Wood, Ind. Mr. ALEXANDER. Might not tbis condition arise: In· order Ragsdale Sears Vinson Woods, Va. Rayburn Sisson Volstead Wright to effect economies in the department occasioned by this increase, Riddick Steagall Watson, Va. Y mmg, Tex. if the department wanted to dismiss some useless employees, it Robinson, ~· C. Stedman Weaver 'could not do it? They would have to be recommissioned. NAYS-282. 1 Mr. CANNON. Yes; they must be reappointed. I doubt the Almon Foster Luhring Rodenberg constitutionality ot the provision. I shall not discuss it from Anderson · · Frear McAndrews Rogers Andrews, Md. Fuller, Ill. McArthur Romjue that standpoint. So far as I am concerned, I shall vote to strike Andrews, Nebr. Fuller, Mass. McCulloch R 0 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 2689 1\ir. IRELAND with Mr. LEE of Georgia. Mli~ BARKLEY. There are two special orders now pending Mr. Fo:RDNEYt with Mr. FLOoD. : in the House, botb of them brought in unde:r a special rule. If Mr. H.Aua-EN with :Mr. HEFLIN. this matter fs not disposed of to-day, do I understand the Chair Mr. McKENZIE with Mr. LEA of California. · to say tful.t it would n'Ot interfere with either of the special ordert? Mr. l\fcK!NLEY with Mr. KETI'NER. pending? Mr. 1\-fAsON with Mr. EAGLE. The SPEAKER. It would not. Mr. GXEENE o{ Vermont with Mr. OLNEY. Mr~ KAHN. A parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker~ Mr. MONDELL with Mr. CANTRrrL. The SPEAKER. The gentleman will state it. Mr. REED of West Vi-rginia with Mr. CARAWAY. Mr. KAHN. This is Calendar Wednesday~ of course, and Mr. SLEMP with Mr. SULLIVAN. the call of committees will procee~ I presume. The next com Mr. GRAHAM of Illinois With Mr. BABKA. mittee, as I understand it, is the Committee on Patents. That Mr. STEENERSON with Mr~ WEBB. committee has some business on the calendar. If that com Mr. WARD with Mr. ASHBRDOK. mittee were to proceed, and the engrossed copy of the Nolan Mr. REAVIS 'vith Mr. HERsMAN. bill could be brought back here before we adjourn for Calendar 1\fr. BLAND of Indiana ,with Mr. SMITHWICK. Wednesday, would it be possib!e- to get a: vote on it this even· Mr. BRITTEN with Mr. SMALL. ing? Mr. STINESS with Mr. H'EFLIN. The SPEAKER. It would. Mrr. BLACKMON. Mr. Speaker, liow am r record-ed'2 Mr. CLARK of Missouri. A parliamentary inquiry~ Mr. The SPEAKER. The gentleman is recorded in th€ negative. Spea:kel~. 1\fr. BLACKMON. I am paired with the gentleman from Illi- The SPEAKER. The gentleman will state it. nois, 1Ur. MANN. I desire to withdraw that vote and answer Mr. CLARK of 1\fissouri. Row did the Speaker decide the u . present.'1 question as to whether this bill be voted on to-morrow or not? l\Ir. ~LJTSON. Mr. Speaker, I :find I am paired with the The SPEAKER. The Chair decided it could not. Democratic whip, Mr. BELL, and I desire to withdraw my vote Mr. CLARK of Missouri. At no. time to-mBrrow? of" nay" and answer "present." The SPEAKER. No; except lly ma.animoos consent. There The result of the vote was annormced as above recorded. is a special order which takes precedence of this bill. The SPEA..KER. The question is on ordering the bill to be Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker~ I ask unanimous· consent that the engrossed and: read a third time. House stand in recess until 5 o'clock. l\Ir. BLANTON. 1\fr. Speaker, I request a reading of the- en SE.VER.AL MEMBERS.. Oh, no.! gros ·ed copy of the bilL The SPEAKER The- gentlem:m_ from California asks umrni· Tlte SPEAKER.. The gentleiiLc-m. demands the reading of the mous consent that the House stand in recess until 5 o'dock. Is engrossed copy of the bilL there objection? :Mr. CALDWELL. 1\fr. Speaker-- Mr. BLANTON. I object. :Mr. RUCKER. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I The SPEAKER. For what purpose does the gentleman rise? want to see this business disposed of, so that we can dispose ot Mr. CALDW:Ep:L. To make a parliamentary inquiry. I un- the sundry civil bill, s:o as to provi-de for the soldiers who want derstand if the engrossed c.opy of the bill is not rea.u that that will kill tlre biil. Will it not? · treatment. The gentleman ought not to delay, in that way~ The SPEAKER. Objection is he~d. ~e SPEAKER. Oh, ruJ. The bill wflits- until it is. engrossed. Mr. NOLAN. ML Speaker, I ask for the .regular order. Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to extend my remarks in the REcoliD by printing an address of IDJ CALL OF QO:MMITTEES. com~a.gue, Air. ELLSWORTH, at the- funeral of the late Carl c. The SPEAKER~ 'l'he regular order is the calling of com .Van Dyke. mittees. The Chair understands that th-e· Committee on Labor The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Minnesota asks u:nani has no furtller business? mous c.onse:nt to extend hi rema.rkS' in the REOOJID b-y printing an Mr. NOLAN. No. address delivered by his- eoileague, Mr. ELLswORTH, at the The- SPEAKER. The Clerk will call the roll of committees. ·funeral of late Representative Van Dyke. Is there objection? The Clerk called the Committee on Patents. [After a pause.] The Chair hears none. Mr. BLACK. Mr. Speak~r. a parliamentary inqtriry.r AMEND~f:ENT OF THE COPYRIGHT AC'l'. , The SPEAKER. The gentleman will st:rte it. I 1\Ir. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, I call up the bill H. R. 3754. ~11'". BLACK. A motion to re-commit this bill will be in o:rder ~- . The. SPEAKER. The gentleman t::om California, fr?m the nf1:tw the- engrossed bill is read, will it nrnl? CoiDJIDttee on Patents.. calls up the bill H. R. 3754, which the The SPEAKER- It will. I Clerk will report. Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker.,. a parliamentary inq.uiry. 1 The Clerk read as follows: The SPEAKER. The gentleman will tate it. j A b-ill (H. R. 3754)- t(} amend sectio-ru; 8- and 2.1 of the eop.y.rlght a.et, 1\:Ir. OLAN. When the engrossed hill comes in in the mo~ 1 approved Ma.reh 4,. 1909• .ing will the matter be automatically laid befO'l"e the House as Be it enacted, etc., That seetipns 8. and 21 ~! the a.ct ~ni:itl~d "An act , . . . . to amen:d and e01lS'olidate the acts respecting C()b)yrrgtrt.'' approved unfu :ushed busmess and continuing order-? MaPch 4. 1909,. b.e amended to read as tallows : The SPEAKER. It will be in order at any tiine- after the -"SEc.. & 'I'ha:t ~author o-r .Proprietor o! any .work ma.de the su~jeet speci:U order is disposed of, unless some other special-o-rder takes of COIJY11'Ight by this act, or his ex~utors,. admini.~ators, 2690 ' CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSb. JULY 16, " SEc. 21. That in the case of a book published abroad in the English the war, the works and books that they published during the· language on or after the date of the President's proclamation of peace, the deposit in the Copyright Office, not later than 60 days after its war. Due to the limited amount of time permitted under the publication abroad, of one complete copy of the foreign edition, with a present copyright· laws and our reciprocal relations with other .requ-est for the reservation of the copyright and a statement of the countries, it was impossible for foreign authors in friendly and name and nationality of the author and of the copyright proprietor and of the date of publication of the said book, shall secure to the author neutral countries to get their works to America in time to be or proprietor an ad interim copyright, which shall have all the force copyrighted. The same conditions prevailed regarding the and effect given to copyright by this act, and shall endure until the ex works of our own authors and publishers. In the trading-with piration of four months after such deposit in the Copyright Office.'! the-enemy act we give greater consideration to the countries .JOINT RESOLUTIONS SIGNED. with which we were at war than ~e do in the present copyright Mr. RAJ\ISEY, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, re law to those who were neutral during the war and those that we ported that they had examined and found truly enrolled joint were allies with. resolutions of the following titles, when the Speaker signed the It is therefore proposed in this bill to amend section 8 so as same: to secure retrospective protection in the United States for such H. J. Res.120. Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of works as have been first produced or published abroad since War to receive, for instruction ~t the United States Military August lt 1914, by providing in the case of such works that the Academy at 'Vest Point, Tao Hung Chang and Zeng Tze Wong, conditions and the formalities prescribed with respect to such citizens of China; and works by the copyright statutes of the United States may be H. J. Res. 65. Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of complied with within a period of 15 months after the date of the War to loun tents for use at encampments held by veterans of proclamation of the President's proclawation of peace. the World War. These conditions, briefly enumerated, are the deposit of copies RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES. for regish·ation, the filing of applications for recording the claims of copyright, the payment of the registration fee, $1, The SPEAKER. The Chair lays before the House the fol and in the case of books in the English language, that the copy lowing documents, which the Clerk will read : shall have been reprinted and rebound within the limits of the The Clerk read as follows : United States. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, UNITED STATES, Washington, D. C., May 29, 1919. It does not repeal or amend any of the manufacturing sec Hon. FREDERICK H. GILLETT, tions of the present copyright law. If they are artistic works, Speaker ot the House of Representatives, such as photo-engravings and lithographs, that they shall have Washington, D. C. been reproduced by lithographic or photographic processes MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the District of Columbia Committee, to take effect immediately. wholly performed within the limits of the United States. Sincerely, yours, It is provided in the bill that only those foreign works shall be F. W. ROWE. considered which are by authors who are citizens or subjects of a fo:ueign state or nation which grants similar protection for HOUSE Oil' REPRESENTATIVES, UNITED STATES, • Washington, D. C., June 18, 1919. works by citizens of the United States, and it is provided that Hon. FREDERICK H. GILLETT, the existence of such protection in behalf of American authors House of Representati-t:es, Washington, D. C. in any foreign country or countries shall be determined by a Mn. SPEAKER: I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the copyright proclamation issued by the President. The countries Committee on Territories, and ask that it be accepted at once. Very respectfully, yours, · chiefly concerned are Great Britain and the British Dominions, JOHN C. KLECZKA, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Scandinavian countries. Member Fourtl~ Dist1·Lct of Wisconsill. To safeguard any American producers who may have secured HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, any rights or privileges by prior republication of works pub Washington, June 18, 1919. lished abroad during the war, the bill contains the following MR. SPEAKER: I hereby tender my resignation as a member of tl'le proviso: Committee on War Claims, and ask that it be·accepted at once. That nothing herein contained shall be construed to del)rive any per Very respectfully, son of any right which he may have acquired by the republication of J. (}. MONAHAN, such foreign work i.n the United States prior to the approval of this act. Member Third District of Wisconsin. The SPEAKER. Without objection, the resignations read Diplomatic correspondence between our Government and will be accepted: Great Britain has led to a proposal for reciprocal, retrospective There was no objection. protection in Great Britain for a period equal in length to our term of copyright protection, upon the single condition that AMENDMENT OF- THE COPYRIGHT ACT. actual-not colorable-publication of the American author's Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, the bill H. R. 3754 is a bill to work shall take place in England during the proposed peri.O. of amend sections 8 and 21 of the copyright act, approved March 4, 15 months after the date of the President's proclamation of 1909. A similar bill was reported out in the closing hours of peace, and that the necessary deposit of copies shall be made the Sixty-fifth Congress, but failed of consideration in the House, after such publication in England. The legislation on copyright due to the congestion of the Calendar. in Great Britain does not require the manufacture of the book This bill has the indorsement of the Librarian of Congress and there, protection is secured by merely publishing the work; that of Mr. Solberg, the Register of Copyrights. It also has the in is, placing it on sale first or simultaneously with publication of dorsement of the Authors' League of America, and there has the book elsewhere. been nobody who has appeared before our committee, either per. Mr. MOORE of Pennsylvania. I have just beeri able to obtain sonally or through communication, who has opposed the measure. a copy of the bill which the gentleman is explaining, and I I might give the statement of Mr. Solberg, who probably is JDore should like to ask whether it contemplates a new order with familiar with the copyright law than anybody else connected regard to the issuing of copyrights to aliens. with the Government. He is the Register of Copyrights in the Mr. NOLAN. No; it provides that in case any country shall Library of Congress. give reciprocal protection we shall give the citizens of that coun Mr. Solberg states that the proposed amendment to the copy· try the benefit of copyrighting works and books produced during right act, approved March 4, 1909, is necessary in order to ac• the war. Wherever we get reciprocal protection of that kind we complish two separate and distinct things. The first change is ourselves, through proclamation of the President, give them the in section 8, which provides for copyrights in the United States same rights in this country. on works by authors who are citizens or subjects o:( foreign coun Mr. MOORE of Pennsylvania. May I ask the gentleman what tries, and is for the purpose of securing protection in the United support this bill has and where that support comes from? States for works published abroad during the war. The copy Mr. NOLAN. The bill is vouched for by Mr. Solberg, register right act grants protection in the United States upon certain - of the Copyright Division of the Library of Congress. It is also -conditions. To secure valid protection these conditions must be approved by the Authors' League of America, who also represent fully and exactly complied with, but owing to the war it was the Incorporated Society of Authors, Playwrights, and Com found to be impossible to comply with the prescribed conditions, posers, and the American Publishers' Copyright League. with the result that only a small percentage of the foreign books Mr. MOORE of Pennsylvania. Does it contemplate any new and other works issued abroad during the war have secured privileges or protection to alien authors not provided by exist . copyright in the United States, and a large proportion of Ameri ing law? can books published since August 1, 1914, have failed to secure Mr. NOLAN. No; only that it takes care of a situation that public protection abroad. arose during the war. Authors in foreign countries had to get The real intent and purpose of this legislation is to give the their works to this country within a certain specified time. The authors in this· country an opportunity to have copyrighted in book had to be manufactured and printed, and during the war toreign countries, especially those that were our allies during they :were unable to do that. This extends that time with~ .. 1919. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. which that can be done and gives them the right to copyright REPORTS OF' COl\llllTTEES ON PRIVATE BILLS AND the works that were produced during the war, provided they give RESOLUTIONS. our authors and publishers similar protection in their own country. Under clause 2 of ~ Rule XIII, Mr. MOORE of Pennsylvania. h provides, on page 2, line 1\fr. MAcGREGOR, from the Committee on Claims, to which 15- was referred the bill (H. R. 646) for the relief of Perry E. Tlie existence of the reciprocal conditlon1l aforesaid shall be deter Borchers because of losses suffered, due to destruction of prop mined by the President of the United States by proclamation made from erty and termination of contract for services because of small time to time as the purposes of this act may require. pox, while in the employ of the Navy Department in Cuba, Is that provision inserted by reason of anything that has hap reported the same with amendment, accompanied by a report pened during the peace negotiations at Paris? (No. 122), which said bill and report were referred to the Mr. NOLAN. I could not say as to that. I do not believe Private Calendar. it iS. 1\fr. STEVENSON. I desire to call attention to the fact that PUBLIC BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MEMORIALS. the law as it stands to-day contains that. The amendment is in the proviso. Under clause 3 of Rule XXII, bills, resolutions, and memorials Mr. NOLAN. The Acting Secretary of State transmitted to were introduced and severally referred as follows: the Committee on Patents June 24, 1919, a letter giving specific By l\:1r. BARKLEY: A bill (H. R. 7405) for the erection of a reasons why the State Department or the Government desires public building at Hickman, Ky. ; to the Committee on Public this legislatioi1 passed. Buildings and Grounds. 1\Ir. MOORE of Pennsylvania. Is there anything which the Also, a bill (H. lt. 7406) for the erection of a public building United States Cougress is asked to grant to alien authors in this at Murray, Ky.; to the Committee on Public Buildings and bill that would not be granted to American authors in any for- Grounds. eign country? Also, a bill (H. R. 7407) to amend section 10 of the act of Mr. NOLAN* No. March 2, 1919, makihg appropriations for the construction, repair, l\1r. MOORE of Pennsylvania. It is wholly a reciprocal and preservation of certain public works on livers and harbors, proposition? and for other. purposes~ to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors. Mr* NOLAl~. Yes. The books that our authors write and By Mr. VAILE: A bill (H. R. 7408) to amend section 1 of an publish can be published abroad and get protection, and they act entitled "An act to pension widows and minor children of can eome in here and get the protection that they would receive officers and enlisted men who served in the War with Spain, under the copyi"ight law. Philippine insurrection, or in China " ; to the Committee on Mr. MOORE of Pennsylvn.p.ia. Has the gentleman gone into · Pensions. it sufficiently to say if thel"e is anything in the extension of the By Mr. SINCLAIR: A bill (H. R. 7409) to appropriate law which would give a foreign author any privilege in the $5,000,000 for the purchase of eed grain and feed for live stock, United States which the American author would not have in j to be supplied to farmers and stockmen in the drought-stricken foreign countries? areas of the United States; to the Committee on Appropriations. Mr. NOLAN. No; and that is the object of the bilL l\1r. ! By Mr. NELSON of Missouri: A bill (H. R. 741.0') authorizing Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. and direCting the Secretary of War to make certain donations The SPEAKER. The Chair has been informed that it will of cannon and ordnance to designated eities, towns, and institu be impossible for the minimum-wage bill to be engrossed this tions; to the Committee on Military Affairs. afternoon. By Mr. FORDNEY: A bill (H. R. 7411) authorizing the Mr. CLARK of Missouri. J.\.1.r. Speaker, I would like to ask Secretary of War to make donation of condemned German can the gentleman a question for information. Line ~6. page 3, nons to the city of Saginaw, Mich.; to the Committee on Military requh·es the foreign author to furnish one complete copy. Un- Affairs. less we have changed the law, and I was not paying any atten- Also,. a bill (H. R. 7412) to provide re'V'enue for the Govern tion to it, the Ameriean author is compelled to file two copies. ment and to establish and maintain the manufacture of fabric, 'Why sh(}uld they be allowed to file only one and the American or sueded, cotton gloves in the United States; to the Committee author be compelled to file two? on Ways and Means. Mr. NOLAN. I will say to the gentleman from Missouri that By 1\fr. HAUGEN: A bill (H. R. 7413) ma.king appropriation that is a new provision. They not only have t(} file that but for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending under the manufacturers' law, the copyright law, they must June 30, 1920; to the Committee on Agriculture. have it published and printed in this country. T,hey not only By 1\fr. BARBOUR: A bill (H. R. 7414) to proYide for a public ha"Ve to file a copy of a foreign publication but they have to building at Visalia, Calif. ; to the Committee on Public Build have the book that is published and circulated in this country ings and Grounds. printed and manufactured in this country. By 1\fr. BROOKS of Pennsylvania: A bill (H. n. 7415) au- 1\.I_f.. CLARK of Missouri. Does that compel them to file two thorizing the Secretary of War to donate to the town of Delta, copies-? York County, Pa., one German cannon or machine gun; to the Mr. NOLAN. They have to file one copy printed in the for- Committee on Military Affairs. eign countryr ancl in addition they have to file under the manu- By l\1r. GREENE of l\1assaehusetts: A bill (H. R. 7416) au· facturers' law additional copies in the copyright office. thorizing the United States Shipping Board to operate or dispose Mr. JUUL. Mr, Chairman, I would like to ask the gentleman of its emergency merchant vessels and thereby stimulate the a question. Section 21 provides for books published abro-ad friendly intercourse between nations and further developing the ~n the English language. Wby does not the bill refer t(} books merchant marine, and for other purposes; to the Committee on tn the Spanish, the French, or any other language? the Merchant Marine and Fisheries. 1\Ir. NOLAN. That is where they bring in the foreign edition; By Mr. CURRY of California: A bill (H. R. 7417) to amend they must file a copyright in addition to the book in the English an act of Congress approved March 12, 1914, authorizing the language. President of the United States to locate, construct, and operate Mr. JUUL. They must have the book translated and :file the railroads in the Territory of .Alaska~ and for other purposes; to translation? the- Committee on the Territories. 1\lr. NOLAN. As a general proposition the books are all By Mr. TINKHAM: Concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 21): printed in. the English language. This -bill is introduced at the authorizing the President to appoint a thoroughly representative request ot the PUblishers' and Authors' League. The see1·etary committee, to be known as national committee of investigation, of the Authors' League was present and represented the incor- to investigate the increased prices anu the increased cost of porated Society of the Authors, Playwrights, and Composers, and living; to the Committee on Appropriation·. the .American Publishers' Cooperative League. By Mr. CALDWELL: Joint resolution (H. J. Res. 148) pro· vidiJ::ig for the presentation of a medal to Gen. John J. Pershing; ADJOURNMENT. to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. BLANTON. Mr. Speaker, I make the point that there is By Mr. LAGUARDIA: Resolution (H. Res. 1'19) directing the no quorum present. Secretary of War to furnish the House of Re}}resentatives cer Mr". NOLAN. J.V.Ir. Speaker, I move that the House do now tain information; to the Committee on Military Affairs. adJourn. By Mr. DALLINGER: Membrial of the Legi. lature of the The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 4 0 1clock and 53· State of .Massachusetts., pfotesting against the attitude of the minutes p. m..) the Honse adjourned until to-morrow, Thursday, United States Shipping Board towan1 the port of Boston; to July 17, 1010, at 12 o'clock meridian. the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. 2692 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--HOUSE. .JULY 16, PRIVATE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. B~ Mr. MOO~ES of Indiana: A bill (H. R. 7456) granting a pensiOn to Kate A. Wallace; to the Committee on Invalid Pen Under clause. 1 of Rule XXII, private bills and resolutions sions. were introduced and severally referred as follows: By Mr. ANTHONY : A bill (H. R. 7418) granting an increase Also, a bill (H. R. 7457) to correct the military record of Daniel H. Prunk; to the Cdh:tmittee on Military Affairs. of pension to Richard Williams; to the Committee on Pensions. By Mr. RAMSEYER: A bill (H. R. 7458) granting a pension By Mr. BARKLEY : A bill (H. R. 7419) granting an increase to Nancy A. Littleton; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. of pension to Anderson Scott; to the Committee on Invalid Pen Also, a bill (H. R. 7459) granting an increase of pension to sions. Torbet C. Canfield; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By I\Ir. BEGG: A bill (H. R. 7420) granting an increase of By Mr. ROBSION of Kentucky: A bill (H. R. 7460) grantin(J' pension to William E . .Gault; to the Committee on Pensions. a pension to Ephraim Simpson ; to the Committee on Invalid Also, a bill (H. R. 7421) granting a pension to Christine E. Pensions. Geiger ; to the Committee on Pensions. Also, a bill (H. R. 7461) granting a pension to Elizabeth Mar By I\Ir. CAMPBELL of Kansas: A l>il.l (H. R. 7422) granting low; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. a pension to Annie Hills; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Also, a bill (H. R. 7462) granting a pension to Thomas E. By 1\fr. FORDNEY: A bill (H. R. 7423) granting a pension Morrison; to the Committee on Pensions. to Anna D. Abel; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Also, a bill (H. R. 7463) granting a pension to Ben B. Sells· Also, a bill (H. R. 7424) granting a pension to Emma Case; ·to the Committee on Pensions. ' to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. . Also, a bill (H. R. 7425) granting a pension to Martha J. By Mr. ROMJUE: A· bill (H. R. 7464) granting an increase Comstock ; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. of pension to Sarah J. White; to the Committee on Invalid Pen Also, a bill (H. R. 7426) granting a pension to Harriet Dut sions. ton ; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. SHERWOOD: A bill (H. R. 7465) granting an in Also, a bill (H. R. 7427) granting a pension to William F. crease of pension to John Ball; to the Committee on Invalid Gross; to the Committee on Pensions. Pensions. Also, . a bill (H. R. 7428) granting a pension to Laura J. By Mr. SMITH of Idaho: A bill (H. R. 7466) for the relief Handshy ; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. of Fred Larsen ; to the Committee on Clainis. Also, a bill (H. U.. 7429) granting a pension to Catherine Har By Mr~ TAYLOR of Tennessee: A bill (H. R. 7467) grantin,.,. rington; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. an increase of pension to Malinda McClanahan; to the Commit~ Also, a bill (H. R. 7430) granting a pension to Daniel B. tee on Pensions. · Klingensmith; to the Committee on Pensions. By Mr. VESTAL: A bill (H. R. 7468) granting a pension to Also, a bill (H. R. 7431) granting a pension to Jane Lewis; Julia M. Ferry; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. VAILE: A bill (H. R. 7469) for the relief ()f Hannah Also, a bill (H. R. 7432) granting a pension to Sarah Jane Parker; to the Committee on, Military Affairs. McCollum ; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Also, a bill (H. R. 7433) granting an increase -of pension to PETITIONS, ETC. Eli S. Adams; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Also, a bill (H. R. 7434) . granting an increase of pension to Under clause 1 of Rule XXII, petitions and papers were laid Oscar A. Adams; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. on the Clerk's desk and referred as follows : Also, a bill (H. R. 7435) granting an increase of pension By the SPEAKER: Petition of the Boiler Makers' Local, No. to Napoleon B. Bowker; to the Committee <>n Invalid Pensions. . 304, of Kansas City, Kans., urging 44-hour week for employees Also, a bill (H. R. 7436) granting an increase of pension to of United States Navy Department; to the Committee on Labor. Nathan L. Brass; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. BEE: Petition of R. J. Boyle, P. J. Geehan, Wm. Alsc,. a bill (H. R. 7437) granting an increase of pension to Campbell, and sundry other citizens of San Antonio, Tex., for Charles H. Crandall ; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. the amendment of article 10 of the league of nations and for the Also, a bill (H. R. 7438) granting an increase of pension to freedom of Ireland; to the Committee on Foreign Affa.its. Everett A. Dibble; to the Committee on Pensions. By Mr. BROOKS of Pennsylvania: Papers to accompany H. Also, a bill (H. R. 7439) granting an increase of pension R. 7363, granting a pension to James M. Danner; to the Com to William P. Hughes; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. mittee on Pensions. Also, a bill (H. R. 7440) granting an increase of pension to By Mr. BURROUGHS: Telegram from Charles H. Bean, jr., Brainard D. Nelson; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. secretary of the New Hampshire State FederQ.tion of Labor, Also, a bill (H. n. 7441) to correct the military record of urging the defeat of the Good amendment to the Johnson-Nolan · E By Mr. CALDWELL: Petition of citizens _of Richmond Hill, Pennsylvania Infantry, held June 30, 1919. protesting against N. Y., opposed to the tax on· ice cream ; to the Committee on the use of the name "Twenty-eighth Division" and the insignia Ways and Means. thereof, the red keystone, by any Regular Army unit; to ·the By Mr. CULLEN: Petition of Wyandot Club, of the city of Committee on Military Affairs. New York, urging the Congress of the United States to adopt By Mr. VAILE: Petition of Colorado Potato Shippers' Asso a resolution providing for recognition of the republic of Ire· ciation, protesting against discontinuance of the Denver market land ; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. news service, urging the continuance of the food products in By Mr. DALLINGER: Petition requesting United States Gov· spection service, and protesting against reduction of funds avail ernment to recognize the complete independence of the Lithu able for the preservation of fruits and perishables in transit; to anian republic ; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. the Committee on Agriculture. Also, petition of Local Union No. 1653 (Carpenters), of Cam· By Mr. 'VEBB: Petition of sundry citizens of North Carolina, bridge, Mass., in favor of a league of nations; to the Committee for repeal of tax on sodas, soft drinks, ice cream, etc. ; to the on Foreign Affairs. Committee on Ways and Means. Also, petition of employees of the Hood Rubber Co., of the State of Massachusetts, against the repeal of the so-called day· light-savin~ law; to the Committee on Agriculture. By Mr. HUTCHINSON: Petition signed by 96 citizeni of Tren· . SENATE. ton, N. J., protesting against and urging the repeal of the tax on sodas, soft drinks, and ice cream ; to the Committee on Ways THURSDAY, July 17,1919. and Means. Also, petition signed by 84 citizens of Bound Brook, N; J., The Chaplain, Rev. Forrest J. Prettyman, D. D., offered the ·protesting against and urging the repeal of the tax on sodas, following prayer : soft drinks, and ice cream; to the Committee on Ways and Almighty God, the uncreated, self-existing God, the source Means. of wisdom and of power, we come to Thee making our humble AlSo, resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners of supplication that we may be fitted for the duties of life. As the city of Hoboken, N. J., urging the adoption by the Congress of we face the tremendous problems resting upon u.S we feel to the United States of a resolution providing for the recogni· pray with Thy servant of the ancient day," if Thy spirit go not tion of the republic of Ireland; to the Committee on Foreign with us send us not up hence." Send us forth in the discharge Affairs. . of our duties with Thy spirit guiding us, that we shall meet Also, resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners of them as men and accomplish the divine purpose and will in Jersey City, N. J., urging the adoption by the Congress of the us. Bless us to-day, we pray Thee. For Christ's sake. Amen. United States of a resolution providing for the recognition of the The Secretary proceeded to read the Journal of the proceed· republic of Ireland ; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. ings of Tuesday last, when, on request of Mr. CURTIS and by Also, resolution adopted by the Lithuanian Alliance of Am.er· unanimous consent, the further reading was dispensed with and lea, Lodge No. 302, of the city of Trenton, N. J., requesting the_ the Journal was approved. United State;:; Government to compel Poland to withdraw her PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT OF DIRECTOR OF STORAGE ( S. DOC. NO. 54}. army from the Lithuanian territories and that the United States Government recognize the present Lithuanian government and The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a communi render it moral and material assistance; to the Committee on cation from the Secretary of War, transmitting, in response Foreign Affairs. to a resolution of the 26th. ultimo, a report of photographic By Mr. JAMES: Petitions of sundry citizens of Alpha and equipment under the control of the Director of Storage, which, Iron River, Mich., for the repeal of the tax on candy, soda water, with the accompanying paper, was referred to the Committee ice cream, etc.; to the Committee on Ways and Means. on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed. By Mr. KAHN: Petition of Capt. J. W. Pinder to be given MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE. commission in United States Army on retired list. without pay; to the Committee on Military Affairs. A message from the House of Representatives, by D. K. By Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania: Petition of officers of Tenth Hempstead, its enrolling clerk, announced that the President and One hundred and tenth Pennsylvania Regiments, protesting of the United States having returned to the House of Repre against use of name and insignia of Twenty-eighth Division in sentatives, in which it originated, the bill (H. R. 315-.) mak Regular Army; to the Committee on Military Affairs. ing approp:riations for the Department of Agriculture for the By Mr. -KINKAID: Petition of ·26 citizens of Amherst, Nebr., fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, with his objections thereto, asking for the repeal of the tax on candy, ice cream, and soda the House proceeded, in pursuance of the Constitution, to re fountain foods and drinks, etc.; to the Committee on Ways and consider the same, and resolved that the bill do not pass, two Means. · thirds of the House of Representatives not agreeing to pass By Mr. McLAUGHLIN of Nebraska: Petition of numerous the same. citizens of Exeter and Fairmont, Fillmoi'e County, Nebr., urging ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTIONS SIGNED. the immediate repeal of the daylight-saving law; to the Com ·The message also announced that the Speaker of the House mittee on Agriculture. had signed the following joint resolutions, and they were there By Mr. NELSON of Missouri: Petition of sundry citizens of upon signed by the Vice President: Columbia, Boone County, Mo., asking for repeal of tax on sodas, H. J. Res. ~5. J6int resolution authorizing the Secretary of ice cream, and soft drinks; to the Committee on Ways and War to loan tents for use at encampments held by veterans Means. of the World War; and By Mr. O'CONNELL: Petition of Wyandot Club, of the city H. J. Res. 120. Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of of New York, urging the Congress of the United States to adopt War to receive for instruction at the United States Military a resolution providing for recognition of the republic of Ireland; Academy at West Point Tao Hung Chang an~ Zeng Tze Wong, to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. citizens of China. By Mr. SANDERS of New York: Petition of 56 residents of PETITIONS AND SlEMORIA.LS. Medina, N. Y., and vicinity, urging the repeal of the tax on sodas; The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair lays before the Senate soft drinks, and ice cream; to the Committee on Ways and Means. resolutions adopted by the Legislature of the Territory of By Mr. SMITH of Idaho: Resolution adopted by the executive Hawaii, petitioning Congress to confer the right of statehood •_'():nmittee of the Idaho State Grange, favoring the enactment upon the Territory. The resolutions will be printed in the d t 1"\e soldiers' land-settlement bill; to the Committee on the RECORD and referred to the Committee on Pacific Islands and l!Tiblic Lands. Porto Rico. Also, petition of citizens of Nampa, Idaho, urging the removal The resolutions are as follows: of the tax on candy, ice cream, and soda-fountain foods and THE TENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE TERRITORY OF HAWAII, drinks; to the Committee on Ways and Means. THE SENATE, Also, petition of city council of Boise, Idaho, authorizing in Honol-ulu, Hawaii , April SO~ 1919. vestigation regarding price reduction of gasoline, oil, and related The honorable the PRESIDENT OF THE products; to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. SENATiil OF THE UNITED STATES, WasMngton, D. 0. By Mr. SNELL: Petition of Civil War Veterans, of Wilming SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith certified copy of senate ton, N. Y., for an increase in the present pension rates granted concurrent resolution No. 5, petitioning the Congress to confer upon Civil War veterans and their wives to $50 per month and $30 the Territory of Hawaii the right of statehood, which was adopted by the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii. per month, respectively; to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. I bave the honor to be By Mr. TEMPLE : Resolution adopted at a meeting of the Very respectfully, 0. P. SoARES, former officers of the One hundred and tenth Infantry and Tenth Clerk of the Senate.