National Affairs: 100,000 Disemployed

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Last week announcement came from the White House that the number of employees in government service had been cut 102,101 during the last two years. This brings the number of government employees, in round numbers, to 500,000, exclusive of our military and naval forces. With the exception of 102,101 people directly concerned everyone rejoices at the economy. And some credit is generally given to the Harding Administration. The following figures show the natural growth in the number of public servants: 1851 33,300 1871 53,900 1891 166,000 1911 360,000 1916 480,000 Then came the war, and by 1920 there were 691,000 government employees. In the following year (thanks to Mr. Wilson) came a reduction of approximately 90,000 employees. The Harding administration follows with a reduction of 102,101 employees in two years. Detractors from the Administration point out that 88,000 of this cut came in the War and Navy Departments, and that the Administration opposed reduction of the Army and Navy. This detraction may not be quite fair, because reductions in clerical personnel might have been achieved even though the Army and Navy had not been reduced. The figures do, however, show: That the present number of government employees is approximately 500,000—an increase of 140,000 in the twelve years since 1911. The increase in the ten years previous was 104,000. Conclusion: The present number of government employees seems to be no greater than would have been the case had there been no war. Normalcy, in this instance, is attained.