Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-26
NEW CONSIDERATIONS.
Some Phases of the Civil Service PEN
sion Proposition.

SION f'fopoSitioh.
To the Editor of The Evening Star.
1t is with some hesitancy 90 that 1 ven
ture to add 20 the already yoluminous cor
respcndence you have received concerning
the proposed civil service pension bill; but
there are some phases of the matter which
have not yet been touched upon, and which
are, to my mind of importance to a full
understanding of the subject
The position of the government clerk is a
peculiar one. In every other kind of cler-
zeal service there is no limit to the progress
possible TO the clerk. Fidelity to duty, bus
mess acquaintance formed business knowl-
edge acquired-these and many other adj
yanIages may serve eventually to raise him
above his clerical position 10 that OF part
ner, manager or employer But no such
hope brightens the toll of the government
clerk. No matter what his capacity, energy
or fuithfulness. he can never hope to incur
thereby that boon for which all ambitious
clerks StTive-independenCe- He must al
ways work directed, no matter how I'M
cOngeaial or unsuitable the Occupa ton; he
must be ever an employe. His work does
not bring him into contact with the outside
business world He learns no business but
that of government, whose superior officers
are seldom chosen from merltorious men
in the ranks, but are appointed because of
political prominence, qualification from
which the clerk is barred by law. This may
serve TO explain why il is that government
clerks who have not lost all their youthful
ambition are anxious TO make their stay in
office temporary; why business men are
loath to allow their sons to enter the civil
Service; why by every one a government
clerk ship is regarded a dernier reSort-a
refuge for business failures. 1t may also
throw some light upon the proyerbial in
competency of government clerks of long
service successfully to compete in other oc-
equations upon dismissal or that rare event
among old clerks-resignation.
The only hope of the government clerk
ever TO acquire those objects of human en-
deavor. fame, fortune, or. more than all,
Independence, is by judicious investment.
His investment may he in such things as
bring direct return in money, or It may
be in acquiring the means to pursue some
profession or other occupation. Whatever
its character. 1t is always made by the
clerk with the hope of being able to resign
and choose his occupation. that for which
he deems himself best suited, instead of
growing old and decrepit In a service that
shows little regard for age and its attend
ant infirmities or for former value. He is
spurreI ON by the fear of disability, through
sickness age or accident, under circum-
Stances where no need for rest or for
change Of climate or scene will excuse his
absence from duty beyond the customary
allowance, and where no excuse will be re-
ceiyed for the unsatisfactory character of
work performed by him when he is unfit
for work of any kind
Now, the salaries received by government
clerks are meager at the best for support
ing themselves and their families-perhaps
large-and putting aside any sufficient sum
for investment. And if a portion of each
salary he withheld from the clerk to pen
sion him when he grows old in the service
the need OF a pension becomes that much
more certain. He is just that much less
able TO withdraw from the service and
adopt an Independent occupation while
he IS yet young enough to pursue
that occupation successfully. AS a con-
sequence there will be fewer able to
break the letters which have been
thoughtleSsly. or. perhaps, involuntartIy
assumed That is. more men will live and
die In the service. That is, again. more
men capable Of doing intelligent and valu-
able work will wear out their lives in the
mechanical requirements of the govern
ment machinery.
1 believe in a civil service pension list:
but / think Congress, recognizing the
unique character of the position of a gov
eminent clerk. should pass a bill providing
for the payment of pensions ont of public
funds to such clerks as are disa bled in the
service through age or otherwise. There
will not be many beneficiaries. But I do
not think it expedient or humane to still
further cripple the already badly hampered
government employees who have higher aims
and ambitions than to grow old in their
clerical positions and retire on pensions
H. w. OLDS.