The Washington times., 1903-02-27
Plans Of Civil Service Re-
tirement Association.
A MEETING FOR TOMORROW
Commissioner Wares Recent Course a
Stimulus to Renewed Agitation
Employees Divided in Opinion.

ganization, to be held tomorrow night
In its Offices at 1924 New York Avenue.
The purpose of the association is to re-
tire employees in the classified civil
service at the age of seventy on half
pay The removal of aged employees
from the Pension Office by Commissioner
Ware has emphasized the necessity for
some movement to care for superannu-
Rted clerks. The policy of Commissioner
Ware was denounced by Israel w Stone
and several other members of the as
ISOLATION at a small meeting held sew
eral nights ago. Many civil war veterans
who belong to the association are very
indignant over the treatment their com
rades have received at the hands of the
Commissioner of Pensions. and at the
meeting tomorrow night Colonel Ware
will be the chief topic OF discussion
Cruel to Old Clerks.
II is believed by many members OF the
association that the radical action Of
the Commissioner of Pensions will
hasten Legislation favorable to aged
clerks who are forced out of the service.
but they assert the method is cruel and
do not desire that the ends of the as
ISOLATION shall be attained through the
misery of aged persons who are now
working in the Pension Office and other
departments.
The association has a membership of
5000. and has been in existence for three
years. Its officers are: J. w. Starr. New
jersey, War Department: s. E. Faunce
Massachusetts, first vice president; Mrs
Jennie L. Munroe, Virginia, third vice
president: John E. Brooks. Ohio, secre-
tary; Henry c. Swan, Pennsylvania
treasurer. The officers named and the
following persons make up the executive
committee: Robert Armour. New York
War Department; W. w. Hite, New Mex
leo, Interior Department; George w
Earsch, Ohio, Fish Commission; Ray
raOnd Loranz, Iowa. Interstate Commerce
Commission; (. A Clifford, Illinois.
Government Printing Office: c. H Camp
bell. District of Columbia. State Depart
raeDt' Joseph Stewart. Missouri, Post
cfiice Department: David ID. Caldwell
Illinois. Department OF Justice: George
q. Bacon. Massachusetts. Civil Service
Commission; Darius A. Green, Massachu-
sets. Navy Department; Alexander f.
Mcmillan, Michigan, Treasury Depart
nsent; C. Z. Baldwin. Iowa. Department
or Labor; Israel w Stone, Kansas. De
Partment of Agriculture.
The purpose Of the organization is 20
have the Government retain a certain
percentage of the earnings of all the per
sons in the classified civil service for the
q cation Of a fund from which pensions
arc to be paid to superannuated clerks.
there are about 10000 persons in the
classified service. and their salaries vary
from s156.56 to $4,000 year These per
sons are scattered throughout the United
States.
Although the association has rot
framed a bill for submission to Con-
gress. its plans have been carefully laid
and will probably be brought to the con-
s!deration of legislators at the next ses-
sion OF Congress Where employees have
salaries larger than $1,000 they will be
assessed on only $1,000. and the pensions
paid will in no case be based on a salary
OF more than $4,000.
Agitated for Many Years.
About fifty bills have been introduced
In Congress for the retirement and pen
giOning or employees In the civil service.
The first was presented by Postmaster
General Jacob COllamer in President
Taylor's term Most OF these bills have
sought 10 have per cent OF employees
salaries set aside for the payment OF
retired clerks one-half OF the amount
OF salary they were receiving when
placed on the retired list Actuaries
have been employed by the United States
Civil Service Retirement Association,
and after the compilation of information
concerning the ages and salaries of the
n
found that 2 per cent would be entirely
inadequate to provide for the paw OF
superannuated clerks. At least . per
cent would be required to meet the OBJ
legations. The actuaries have estima ed
that the greatest possible number OF
persons on the retired list will be at
tanned in about fourteen years. For sew
eral years per cent OF the salaries OF
employees might be sufficient 10 pay the
retired. but the amount TO be paid will
Increase very rapidly in subsequent
years
few days ago an effort was made by
members OF the House Committee on
Civil Service to have the Government
print much interesting information
which the association has collected at
great expense. but the movement was
cefeated. and it is likely the figures
Will be issued later at the expense Of
Government employees. who believe all
me mbers Of Congress should have an op-
poTtunity TO know more about the army
Of people in public service
The pension scheme is said TO meet
~itE the approval OF a majority OF the
Governments employees. Opposition has
been offered by men who are almost
seventy years OF age. and believe that II
will be possible for them 10 continue in
The service on full pay until death. Some
Of the very young employees also oppose
the plan II is the purpose Of the asso-
station 20 make IL possible for persons
who resign. or are dismissed from the
service. 20 withdraw what money they
have paid. and the estates OF persons