Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-14
THE TAWNEY BILL
Arguments Still Forthcoming on
Both Sides.
new IDEAS ADV ANCED TODAY
A Proposition to Even Up the
Equities.
P r o 8 A N D CON 8
P r o 8 A N D CON s

1t is pretty well understood that the bill
for the retirement of aged and disabled de-
partment clerks will not be pressed at this
session of Congress. 1t is said that the
committee on reform in the civil service
however, is very much inclined to report at
the next session and secure action on some
kind of a bill which will relieve the de-
partments of what some members Of the
committee call dead timber, without work
ing at the same time an injustice and hard
ship upon faithful public servants, who
have grown old and disabled in the con-
Scientious performance of their public du-
ties.
The Pension Idea.
A well-known citizen of Washington
prominent in business circles and in public
enterprises, signing himself Elk Clerk"
makes the following forcibe argument
against the principle of civil pension list:
Il wish TO add a few words to the dis
cussion on the civil service pension topic.
l can see no reason in the proposition for
compulsory contribution to a civil pension
fund. II ii be desired to create a fund Cor
the relief of those in need, no matter from
W hat cause, it strikes me that 1t would be
far better that it should be by the Nolun-
tary association of those who sire to iOin
in such movement
Il have no sympathy whatever with the
appeal on behalf of those who have spent
a lifetime in the service. Persons vino
have drawn a salary, paid monthly in cash
for twenty or more years, and which salary
Is much larger as a general rule than they
could obtain outside for similar service
with much longer hours, ought not to be in
need of d pension.
"Of COURSE there may be exceptional
cases, i'll which, owing to sickness in the
may have been unable to save any hing
but such cases are rare and could be pre-
vided for by a voluntary association, as
above suggested. The additional reason
urged that the retirement at the end of a
certain term. or at 4 certain age, would
secure earlier promotion to tho Sc SubSe-
quently appointed has force for two
reasons: First, such Il reason seems TO take
into account only the benefit that would ac-
crue to the clerk in consequence of promo
tiOn-hiS increase of SGlary-whercaS the
interest of the government is in securing
the very best service possible. and that does
not seem to enter into the cCnSidcrd ton a
all; second. because. if frequent promotions
Is what is desired and is best for the Sery-
ice. 1t can be much more effectuaIly secured
by amending tn civil service law 50 as to
provide that all appointments shall be made
tor a definite term, say four six years,
with the power in thu al of The depart
ment to reappoint wherever the party do
velops superior qualifications for the bust
Not only would this provide for more
rapid promotions than the proposed plan,
but it would be of especial benefit to the
government service, as 1t would secure the
survival OF the !itest, whereas the long
term Plan often results in the retention Of
the most inefficient the abl"St and most
tntefpriSlng leaving the government Serv-
Ice to engage III priNat" business, thus leav-
ing TN" less competent clerks i'll the service.
l'tH b"lhG content TO remain Tor lie.
see no Justice or reason in compelling,
by law, the more enterprising and the more
e economical ana prudent clerks to contr!"iIte
!" Il una 20 pension l!"9' "!'' ar" i'-N 90
S'I.t II" 10 i,lIil IL! N S,rH}'
a,,,i'H ~. o'i.S'',.I ne easiest
!,.rt,, 100 10 .tn 80 *. d ~. l!Lt,'
, -, go, ; ,il' Az a. ~ an no
-; .h ~ ,,r S',ii ~ nv ~, IL
~ - ;,,,,,' ',!; VI W, ~ ~ ny
. en- ~ - ,1 ln' - Una putS IS
49,? t. wv Il 'i' i'l'a tiat an
-. aI,II ,,,o.;,i ,,.,' az
- CIV ,i1iio o. ,, , 10 ''.io',S .'
b.rdJ, - ,ti !. ',o'i ~ i' al
~ ~ ., go "a - a ,olI'',' ~
a. tiioSe NO" III Lit service WHO
II, ~ Snoui" nav 'iiailC"
,;,i w., q ~ a ! - ~ Nv =, tSId''
20 a", ~ rIa' .ti Ia Us Ioiin' IS
~. "'. - u" va ~ ~ p!'Cldt ~
ms '"'l'lS' II Is pa'e:flaiS!h IN us worst