New-York tribune., 1901-01-28
OF SUPERANNUATION.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM LEAGUE
MADE PUBLIC.

The report OF the Committee Superannuation
in the Civil Service OF the National Civil Service
Reform League shows that only a very small pro-
portion of the clerks in classified service. bttle
than per cent, have reached passed the
age of seventy years. which is taken a the proper
age for retirement and that those few ap-
pointed before the Civil Service laws went into
effect. In speaking OF the remedies for superan-
nuation, the report says that II the civil pension
system is adopted there IS danger of a Civil Ser
vice lobby in Congress II draws attention 10 the
British pension list which is much enlarged by the
names of those who have held positions where
regular pensions not allowed, and pensions
larger than provided by law paid some
cases. If a retirement fund for the superannuated
is to be made up by deductions from salaries. the
committee thinks that the fair way would he TO
begin the accumulation OF the fund with those now
entering the service, and let those who contribute
be the benehciaries. The plan OF letting all now
in the service contribute and receive pension
retiring would result in the older clerks receiving
q pension after having contributed much less than
their share the fund
To make provision for those nearing seventy
now in the service in case the plan OF requiring
insurance in the way Of deferred annuities should
be adopted the committee suggests that the
cost is heavy for those who have reached ad-
vanced age the Government could well afford 10 be
liberal as the old men now in once were appointed
prior to the enforcement Of Civil Service laws.
Forced retirement of a certain percentage or en-
provision for support for old age The plans of
recurring examinations daily records or ef-
ficiency for promotions reductions and dismissals,
are held be open TO the objection, but IL Is
thought that they might be combined with
office and the retirement fixed age are dis
approved. .
AS its solution of the problem the committee
unanimously recommends the best remedy for
sUperannuation system requiring life insurance
or the deferred annuity plan By all employees dur
ing probation. prerequisite to hnal appoint
ment the policies TO be non -asstgnable and I'm
Government CONTROL and TO be secured by deposits
from the insuring companies in Government con
troll; those employees still capable and useful at the
fixed age TO be allowed 10 stay in the service at
regular salary condition that their annuites go
a surplus fund with which to pay annuities to
those under that fixed age who have become in
own, and a system of daily records of efficiency,
combined perhaps with recurring inspection by
Government physician and in some cases. with eX-
aminations to determine who stay in over the
fixed age and who below il are to share in the
plus nnnuities. The exact At which the
nuities would normally be payable, varying perhaps
for different kinds of service the amount Of annuity
nditions under which the surplus annuities would
be paid 10 those superannuated below the normal
age, and all other details necessary to
the plan fully outlined heretofore, should
be fixed by regulations 10 be drawn by special
commission. composed perhaps of the Civil Service
Commission and some experienced officials of the
departments appointed by the President. 1t might
be well apply this system to portion only Of
the classified civil servtce-say, the departments
at Washington and the larger postoffices and Gus
tom Houses. just done when the Civil Ser
vice law first put I'm operation, and then extend
the system fast as the Commission, with the ap-
proval OF the President, may deem expedent.