The most marked change made in the civil service of the Government in the
past eight years relates to the increase in salaries. The Board of
Actuaries on the retirement act shows by its report, that July 1, 1921 the
average salary of the 330,047 employees subject to the act was $1,307,
while on June 30, 1927, the average salary of the corresponding 405,263
was $1,969. This was an increase in six years of nearly 53 per cent. On top
of this was the generous increase made at the last session of the Congress
generally applicable to Federal employees and another bill increasing the
pay in certain branches of the Postal Service beyond the large increase
which was made three years ago. This raised the average level from $1,969
to $2,092, making an increase in seven years of over 63 per cent. While it
is well known that in the upper brackets the pay in the Federal
service is much smaller than in private employment, in the lower brackets,
ranging well up over $3,000, it is much higher. It is higher not only in
actual money paid, but in privileges granted, a vacation of 30 actual
working days, or 5 weeks each year, with additional time running in some
departments as high as 30 days for sick leave and the generous provisions
of the retirement act. No other body of public servants ever occupied such
a fortunate position.