Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-11
Civil Service Association Be-
fore House Committee Today.
PLAN OF ASSESSMENT
SEVENTEEN THOUSAND GOVERN
MENT EMPLOYEES ARE MEMBERS.
Uncle Sam Wanted to Act as Disburs-
ing Agent for Funds Paid in
by Members.

Officers and members of the United States
Civil Service Retirement Association were
heard before the House committee on re-
form in the civil service this morning IN
furtherance of their plan to create re-
tirement annuity fund through system OF
assessment on all employees in the civil
establishments of the government and COM
ing under the classified service. 1t was ex-
pected that today's hearing would conclude
the series announced by the House COM
mittee several weeks ago, but the repre-
sentatives asked for additional time. and 1t
will probably be granted at the meeting OF
the committee next Tuesday morning.
Members of the Civil Service Retirement
Association present this morning included
]. w. Starr president; Robert Almond,
8. Z. Faunce, Mrs. James L. Monroe, Da-
vid D. Caldwell Nelson Falls, w. w. Hite,
Joseph Stewart and John E. Brooks. all
of this city, and Alfred Eaton and Alex
ander H. Schultz of New York.
Objects Of the Organization.
President Starr read a lengthy paper set
ting forth the objects Of the association
and detailing the information 1t has OBJ
tanned with regard to retirement systems
in operation in commercial companies. Mr..
Service Retirement Association is an or
ganization of the classified employees of the
government throughout the United States,
numbering 1900.
The headquarters Of the association is
in Washington. Each department and
every Independent bureau of the govern
ment has representation on the executive
committee. The association was organized
In the spring of 1900, and its sole object as
stated by the president, is "to obtain in
forma ton upon the subject of superannua-
ton and to aid In devising measures in the
interest Of the public service and of the
employees of that service by an equitable
provision for their retirement without ex-
pense to the government"
The association has devoted a great deal
of time to the study of facts and figures
pertinent to the working out of its problem
In businesS-like way. 1t has been found
that fiat rate assessment of per cent,
previously proposed, would not have been
sufficient to meet the demands for annui-
ties. There are several propositions now
pending before the organization.
The members of the association, Presi-
dent Starr declared, believe that no plan to
relieve the government of superannuated
employees should have consideration which
does not equitably provide for the future
of such employees 1t was stated that the
principle of providing an equitable and HUI
manitarian plan of retirement for old en-
ployes has been adopted by a large number
OF the great business corporations or the
country.
Long Service Employees.
Mr.. Starr said the only way of dealing
with the question OF approximation is to
provide system that gives due considera-
ton to long and faithful service. An in
quiry instituted by the association ELECTED
the fact that on July 1, 1901, out Of 15,S46
government employees, 312 were seventy
years of age and over Qess than 2 per cent?;
544 ranged from sixty-five to sixty-nine
years Ia little more than 5 per cent?, and
1867 from sixty to sixty-four. or little
over LIZ per cent.
Mr.. Hite. for the association. disclaimed
any advocacy of civil pension list to be
provided by the government He declared
the association does not want the govern
ment to spend single cent. but simply
desires that it shall act as supervising and
disbursing agent. The details of the plan
of retirement and assessment for annuities,
he thought, should be left in the hands of
a commission.
Members OF the civil service commission
will not be heard by the committee. The
members Of the commission say that in
view Of the favorable testimony already
given as to the value OF the civil service
law 1t Is unnecessary for them to say any
thing further on the subject.