Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-21
SYSTEM OFgIPENSIONS
SCHEME FOR BENEFIT OF ELEC-
TRIO R. r. EMPLOYEES.
Announced by Gen. Harries at Smoker
Last Night-Pfesentation
to Mr.. RI Lee.

On behalf of the officers and directors OF
the Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany, Gen. George H. Harries, vice presi-
dent of the company, announced last night
that the board had decided to pension every
employe of the road who becomes incapaci-
tated after twenty years service. This is
the first corporation in the District of Co
lumbia to make such a move for the benefit
of the men who make its business prolit-
able, and when the announcement was
made to the employees of the company last
night it was received with CHEERS that al
most shook the building occupied by the
Employees Relief Association, on Z street
between 9th and 10th streets northwest.
The announcement was made during the
progress of a reception given by the asso-
citation to Mr.. Robert E. Lee, who for the
past four years has been the general super
intendent of the company The details of
the plan by which the pensions will be
granted to the railroad employees have not
yet been worked out by the officers Of the
company, but it is promised that the mat
ter will receive the earliest attention Of
those in whose hands 1t has been placed
and they will make public announcement of
the progress as soon as possible
Service Of Twenty Years
AS far as could be ascertained the COM
pany intends to retire men who have served
faithfully for twenty years on certain
percentage of the average yearly pay
earned by them during the fifteen years
previous to retirement. It is assured that
this amount will be sufficient to keep the
retired employe from want, although it
would not supply him with every luxury.
The matter of granting pensions to the en-
ployes. has been under consideration for
some time past by the officers of the COM
pany, including General Harries, General
Superintendent Lee General Manager Full
Ter and President McDermott.
The details have not yet been completed,
as has been stated but will be given the
most careful consideration SO that when the
final announcement is made the plan can be
placed in full before the employees OF the
company.
The announcement made by Gen. Harries
served as a most pleasing number on the
program of entertainment that had been
arranged for the Eau revofr smoker the
employees desired to give Mr.. Lee. The re-
firing general superintendent has been with
the company four years, having come to
this city from Baltimore. He has just ac-
cepted high position on the street railway
lines in Cincinnati, and will leave at once
for his new pest.
mittee of the employees relief association,
and as such the members Of the associa-
ton desired to give testimonial Of their
esteem for him and appreciation of what
he had done for them, ~
Program Of Exercises.
The exercises of the evening were opened
with selection by the band, made up
of members of the relief association. Mr..
John Schleiplin of the mechanical depart
ment of the company, was then introduced
to give several Rotations.
A wrestling bout by the Herbert brothers
was followed by several selections by the
Apollo Octet, which included Mr.. Frank
Reside, w. D. Mcfarland, Perry B. Tur-
pin, II. c. Pearson, j. H. KAISER J. Walter
Humphrey, c.. w. Hancock and Alexander
Mosher Gen. Harries then stepped for
ward and In brief speech, in which ne
traced the history of MIR. Lees connection
with the company, presented the retiring
official with a solid silver service Of colonial
design, a chest of L. silver knives, forks,
spoons etc, and handsome bouquet for
Mrs Lee on behalf Of the relief association.
The silver service was appropriately en-
graved and was of handsome design. Gen.
Harries also presented Mr.. Lee with
handsome gold watch charm set with dia-
monds. Mr. Lee made a brief response, in
which he said that the greater part Of his
success was due to the manner in which
the men worked with him for the better
ment OF the company's property He ex-
pressed regret at leaving. Addresses were
also made by Mr.. J. J. Darlington, general
counsel for the company; Col. Geo. Trues-
dell of the board of directors, and Mr.. ].
I. Moffett, the superintendent Of trans
portation, who succeeds to the duties for
merly performed by Mr.. Lee.
The announcement regarding the pension
fund was then made by Gen. Harries and
put every one present in happy frame
of mind for the evening. Refreshments
were served and general reception held
by Mr. and Mrs. Lee. The committee that
had charge of the smoker included j. T.
Moffett, chairman; w. s. Ballenger, Geo.
Derene, F. ]. Mersheimer, W. E. Lowry,
E. Holt, c. S. Wilson, c. B. Wilson, w.
E. Anderson and A. F. Schoepf.
&