The morning times., 1896-05-09

A hearing was set for yesterday afternoon
at O'Clock before the House Committee
on ReforInin the Civil Service on the Ia wney
hill TO create a retirement fund for govern
nlent clerks. '- '-
the hearing had been granted to those
who oppose the measure, but for various
reasons was postponed until next Monday
afternoon at O'Clock. number of
young men employed in the government
service, were present. ready to submit an
array OF facts anu figures intended to show
that the rank and file of the clerks do not
favor the proposed bill, but on the contrary
bitterly antagOnizc it.
In the course of an informal conyersa-
tlon the fact was developed that the bill
paying clerks annuities after thirty years
service was Indorsed and advocated by the
old clerks, who are now nearing the COM
pletiOG OF that period of service, but OPP
posed by the young clerks, who 40 not
| desire that any portion OF their salaries
shall be retained for the benefit OF those
! who are placed upon the retired list.
ONE CLERKS OPINION.
One of these clerks vino will make an
| argument before the committee said to a
Times reporter:
THE great ajority of the clerks are
| unalteraDly opposed 10 what is known as
| the Tawny annuity bill. but all OF the sub
chiefs and some OF the old clerks are in
favor of it. This peculiar condition of
| affairs prevents that decisive action which
would otherwise be taken. The clerks
fear to imperil their positions by incur
| ring the displeasure OF those IN immediate
charge of them. and consequently avoid
| coming out openly and making an united
| fight against the proposition. IL is praC-
| tically a question OF being ovcrawed.
'sIn some instances the subchiefs have
| already started petitions urging the pas
| sage OF the Tawney bill. and many clerks
| have signed these papers when requested
| to do so. although they are prunouncedly
| in oppGst on to the measure. Several at
tespts haye been made in the various
| acpa rtmcntS to hold meetings OF the dis
| affected clerks to formulate a plan OF
| united action. but fear of the consequences
| has prevented any considerable number OF
those interested from attending.
These are all willing to contribute
their share of money toward defeating
! the bin, but with the reservation that
their names must not be known in the
matter. as t might bring them into dis
repute and diSfavor
AN UPHILL FIGHT
For the sc reasons we have before us
| an uphill fight. Some of us will take the
| chances of dismissal aud make arguments
| before the committee, which / think Will
| satisfactorily show the injustice Of the bill
| .'Itis a certainty that the 3 PER cent of
| salaries, which il is proposed to withhold
| for the purpose Of creating retirement
| fund will fall far short OF the require
ments careful computation, based on
the avera ge ages of employees. indicates
tha about % per cent of salaries must be
| retained in order to have sufficient funds
| with which to pay the anuuiues.
such monthly deduction from the
| compensatiun received must necessarily
| work material hardship. Especially will
| this be the case where young man has
| obtained a governmental pc silion for the
| purpose of taking professional course
| of study in this city. 1t would cuftau him
| In his expenditures, with no prospect Of
| commensurate future reward. as he eT-
| pectS to he only temporarily in the service.
| Again. those who have ! cen in office
| for but five years do not feel Cheerfully
| inclined to begin twenty-five year perlot
| OF sclf-dcnial and depriyttlCn for tie rene
| fit of those who have nearly reached th'
| time OF retirement and will soon entel
| upon the enjoyment of that which tht
| others must look forward TO for Il quarter
| of a century
IT WORKS UNFAIRN ESS.
"Furthcrmore. there is no excuse for ;
man who has had thirty years cOntlnuou
and lucrative employment in the govern
| ment service. and who upon his retlremen
| must either become pensiCner or an in
mate of the almshouse. If he is pennies
| at the end of three decades the fact simpl.
remains that the young element among hi
associates must pay for the gambling
drinking and carousing in which the retiI
ingclerk ha sSquandered hismoney- Should
/ one set of employees be made to pracuc
| economy for the benefit Of another set VIII
| take no precautions for the future?
''The great proportion of the clerks, "a
/ have said, are opposed to the propose
| measure and / think we will be able t
lay this matter before the committee in
new light
Mt. Tawney, the author OF the bill, o
the other hand states that it is not il
! tended to benefit any class of clerks, bu
| TO improve the public service by weedin
out old and useless employees and allo win
Younger and better qualified persons
take their places.
In order tn avoid hardship and prever
the doing of injustice to those who hav
served the government faithfully for thirt
years it is proposed to give them an annuit
OF $3.50.