davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
COLONEL BIDDLE
APPROVES PENSIONS
Does Not Believe the Gov
eminent Should Be
Made to Pay.

/ - OIL JOHN BIDDLE. Engineer
Commissioner of the District,
- declined to talk of-hand on the
matter. stating that he regarded the
question as one too broad and signifi-
cant to be lightly answered. Later he
prepared signed statement expressive
| Of his views. as follows:
There can be no doubt that the eff
cheney Of the Government service would
be materially increased by a c1vn SER
vice pension.
1t is almost impossible except in
cases OF absolute breakdown. to dis
charge public employees who have spent
/ their life in the Government service.
/ The consequence is that an Office force
is liable to be very much hampered in
/ its work by the presence Of employees
who are no longer physically competent
to perform rapidly the work allotted 10
them This is not at all the case in the
| District office at present, but It might
! become so.
Moreover. competent men would be
/ further encouraged to accept and keep
in the Government service If they felt
that in case Of old age. or physical
breakdown, they would not be left abb
I l.
THE danger would be in the posi-
/ bility OF introducing into the service
| physically weak men who might soon
! become fit for retirement. That could
| be controlled, however, by stringent
/ rules as 10 length and kind of service.
1.-THE question of cost Is naturally the
most important factor as far as the
/ Government is concerned I have not
| seen or read any figures on that point,
/ but unless too costly believe it good
/ for the service if suitable laws are en-
/ acted"
DR.. william Tindau, secretary to the
Roard of District Commissioners see
no reason for supporting a man at the
! expense Of the Government after he has
| ceased to work. 1t is not to be sup
posed that a man, after long service
for the Government, is going to be a
pauper when the time comes for him to
retire on account Of old age. If he is
capable, he will certainly have laid up
something against a rainy day why
should the Government pension it's en-
ployes any more than dry goods store
should? l hardly think the scheme
practicable.
Hopewel II. Darneille. Assessor for
the District-There is this TO be said
about the measure: Why should army
! officers be pensioned and the Govera-
ment clerks be allowed TO go begin g
after their term of usefulness is past?
An officer in the army holds a position
for which ne is educated at the eX-
1jense of the Government. and position
10 which comparatively few of US can
aspire. Why should he be paid on re-
firing if the clerk, who has paid for his
own education. is turned adrift without
care being taken for his future2 If
the army officers are to be pensioned. let
! the clerks enjoy the same privilege.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
IN FAVOR OF PENSIONS
TAKEN FROM SALARIES
Senator Nathan B. Scott. of West Vir-
Ginia, Believes In Relief and Suggests
An Equitable Plan to Get 1t.

charges could be brought against this
incumbent. Here was a total stranger
acting in a relation to his chief which
would almost warrant him in opening
the mail Of the chiefs wife This is an
extreme case. and was finally remedied,
but cite it as an illustration.
Another reform I would institute
would be the separation OF employees
Into three classes, who should be ap-
pointed for terms Of two, four, AMI
six years. BY this rule, you win see
that no more than one-third OF the
clerical force could go out at one time.
leaving twO-thirds of experienced en-
Dloyes to carry on the work with
out interruption. At the expiration Of
mans term Of service he would BE-
eligible t2 examination for reappoint-
ment- If he passed. he could continue
in the service. but if disqualified, for
age or any other reason, he would
have to GO BY this system It would
be impossible for there TO be any super
annuated employees
How would you harmonic such a
system with pension retirement" the
Senator was asked.
THAT is easy" was the reply. MAKE
the tax on salary for the pension fund
compulsory from the date OF the first
appointment. II the candidate did not
like the conditions he could step down
and out, with the assurance that his
place would be promptly filed When
he had served a certain number OF
years and became disqualified through
age or infirmity for reappointment
then his pension would begin, on sucn
terms as would be equitable"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
RELIEF ESSENTIAL
FOR OLD EMPLOYEES
Representative GiIlett, of
Massachusetts,, Believes
Pensions Are Needed.
lI~ HE conditions Of the classified

LLT He conditions Of the CLASSIFIED
service, as understand them
1 render absolutely essential
some provision for the retirement, on
suitable pension. of superannuated en-
pIoyes." said Frederick H. Ginett. Rep
resentative in Congress Of the Seventh
Massachusetts district. The invesuga-
ton being carried on by the COM
mittee Of which am chairman
has shown the presence Of these
old public servants in all the de-
partments IN greater number than any
one would think possible. and that the
service is retarded by the inemciency
Of those who have outlived their useful
ness. That some relief must be found
seems certain, II the civil service sys-
TEN is to endure. The committee is en-
gagged in trying 10 find a solution for
the situation. and for that purpose is
hearing the testimony of heads OF de-
partments and others whose opinion on
the subject is authoritative. Much val
liable data is being accumulated which
viii serve TO guide the committee TO in
telligent action, and until this investi-
cation is completed. I. Of course. am not
in q position. to discuss methods or
plans"
Under the Craftsmanship Of Mr.. Gnlett
the Committee on Reform in the Civil
service has changed its nature from
that Of a mere graveyard for objection
able measures to a laboratory where the
problem Of remedial legislation is being
worked out. It is hoped that the result
VIII be the eventual formulation OF q
measure which will both meet the ap-
prevail OF the lawmakers and be enacted,
and VIII prove practicable in its opera
lions, thus permanently relieving the
situation.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
ABUSES MAY FOLLOW
PAYMENT OF PENSIONS
Blaine Taylor, of the Post
office, Points Out a Few
Coming Dangers.

II LAME TAYLOR. chief clerk OF
X the Postofice Department, ex-
L. presses the opinion that the PEN
sioning Of employees would perhaps re-
suit in abuses and coll.,--,tc-t lions OF an
unpleasant nature. For this reason he
is opposed to the plan
You can depend on ii that so soon
as the Government begins paying PEN
sions to its employees incapacitated from
work. there viii begin an era OF abuses
that may have no ending There Is
always a certain class Of persons ready
to take advantage Of a thing OF this
kind. and I think the country would
soon find that IL had a white elephant
on its hands.
Furthermore. the expense to the
country would be enormous. Think OF
the thousands and thousands OF en-
ployes who would be eligible to receive
the benefits Of the plan, and the enor-
nifty OF the sums that would be paid
out may be realized And however large
Is the army of Government workers
now. the force viii increase steadily
each year until in time Uncle sam VIII
have in his service twice the number
now on the payrolls
Under these circumstances il vgouIJ
seem like taking wild plunge TO adopt
a pensioning system. 1t is impossible
to foresee the outcome of such = step.
and there is every reason to believe it
would be disastrous
II the Government wishes 10 aid its
employees IN manner that would be
welcomed by all and still be entirely
practicable. can think OF no better way
than 10 Increase the wages of the work
erS while they are in the service. The
salaries at present paid 10 clerks for
example. viii not permit them 70 lay
anything aside for after life; at least,
/ such IS true with the married persons.
Now. then, If a certain amount was
added to the compensation OF each em-
ploye, after he or she had been in the
service for specified period. il wOuld
give them an opportunity of starting
! bank accounts. and at the same time
make them feel more independent than
they DO now. i merely suggest this N
an oHndnd manner, and 4 cou!c not
before more mature elaboration eX-
plain the details of such a plan.
'Still another scheme would be to re-
I duce the salaries OF aged employees as
their efficiency decreased. but stlu per-
hitting them 10 remain at work. again,
II might be Welt TO start a savings iund.
CeCucung a certain amount from the
salary or each emplOye 10 be paid him
after retirement
Under any circumstances. the propC-
| sluon is intricate, and judgment and
| foresight should be used before action Is
taken
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

I[EVE 1ITHOUT going into the
wv conditions Of the service,
with which you have
doubtless been made familiar. or the
.deplorable results to the Government
from the retention Of superannuated
employees, I will state my conviction of
the eminent wisdom OF a retirement on
pension, the fund to be created by de-
Quoting a certain percentage OF the sal
aries" said Senator Scott Asked If he
feared such a plan would lead eventu-
ally to a direct Government pension,
Senator Scott replied: Certainly not,
otherwise I would not be in favor of the
Inauguration Of any system, as I am
opposed to a Government pension.
To go further into my ideas on the
subject, ever since my connection with
the Internal Revenue Office I have ad-
vOcated the revision OF the classified
service. so as to take from under the
civil esrvice all positions whose pay is
less than 500 or more than 5000 per
annum. I 90 not believe a knowledge
OF grammar OF geograp ply Is essential
to ability to clean out a spittoon or
scrub a floor, and l do believe that de-
partment and bureau chiefs should
have the privilege Of selecting their own
subchiefs. Why, even recall a case
where a man took charge of a bureau
only TO find that his private secretary
had already been provided for him. the
civil service demanding that he retain
the man who had acted In that ca
pacity for his predecessor, because no
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
GOVERNMENTS DUTY
TO SAFEGUARD ALL
Senator Perkins Asserts Civil
Service Employees Are
Similar to Soldiers.
~ ANSWER YES, unequivocally. to
your question There is no need
1 for me to study any further in

.fCT ANSWER YES, unequivocally. to
your question There is no need
l for me to study any further in
order to arrive at the conclusion that
the principle is right. The only question
now remaining is, What is the best
method to pursue?
~ regard it as the solemn duty of the
Government 70 adopt and perfect a
measure by which faithful civilian en-
ployes shall be guarded against the dis
tress which we know too well now con-
fronts the superannuated clerks. 1t is
as much an obligation on the Govern
ment to properly safeguard the clerks
as it is to pension our soldiers and sail
ors. Nor is it right that the burden Of
such a pension should fall upon the
clerk through a system Of taxing his
salary. The Government owes this pro-
lection and is able 70 pay for it,
Against the question Of cost put the
question of paramount duty. The coun-
try cannot afford to lag behind other ma
lions in this matter. Conditions pre-
vailing in nearly all departments where
men and women, worn out IN the ser
vice. are no longer useful. are cruel. yes.
brutal. il 1 may use such harsh term
THESE unfortunate people, WIN S1eAAS u
toll to their credit. have in front of them
only an appeal to the more fortunate,
or TO end their DAYS in an eieemoSyuary
institution, II by any chance they should
be throws out of their berths.
"A sense of the eternal fitness OF
things Is enough. IL seems to me, TO
convince US of a duty in the premises.
Furthermore" said Senator Perkins, lit
would be the part of wisdom for this
Government 10 adopt a system of re-
tirement on pension. subject to the re-
strfctlons of good behavior, etc. The
gain to the character of the personnel
would be almost incalculable. Men who
now look upon a Government position
as a makeshift. to be abandoned as
soon as better opportunity offers in
commercial or professional pursuits,
would take up the work with peTma-
nency in view. / have in mind the cases
Of several clerks in the Census Office,
young men. college graduates, who,
under present conditions, are constant
" on the lookout for employment with
private corporations or firms.
with the best of our young men de-
TERED from entering the service, where
Il is almost impossible TO put by any
considerable savings, and with old and
tOttering employees Vainly trying TO ac-
complish some little work chat they may
not be turned out the question calls
for brave and prompt action. ] believe
the people OF the United States, when
informed, will indOrse as heartily as 1
do the pension retirement system.
GEORGE G. PERKINS.
Senator of California.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
THE TIMES QUESTION: s c civil A s R Esys on F ss
Another Cabinet Officer Senators. and Men
Prominent In Affairs of the Government
Give Views On the Subject

SERVICE employees, ON REACHING A CERTAIN
AGE BE RETIRED ON PENSIONS?" has provoked a
deal discussion and interest It has been conceded by
alike foes proposition the opinions
pressed Sundays only representative but
fairly quoted and covering wide range of view
perusal of the following columns will convey the
impression will the here The Times will not
publication symposium ground has
been thoroughly covered
number Of interesting points have developed the
era discussion of this The query would to
solve itself into three subdivisions Should provision be
This really the entire
question propounded The Times perhaps
this that have been freely who
the public prints But the discussion
brought other questions first
desirable should the burden the pension fund
Government the empoyes Second if by the latter
the creation Of fund
to be controlled and backed by
method compulsory annuity policies with
abshed life companies thus relieving the Govern
remote responsibility? All these phases
the other of the officials
other plans original with this that department
chief or student of economics.
Of it's position the that
may of suspicion of craftsmanship The
presents herewith additional opinions this Important question
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
LIVINGSTON'S VIEWS.
LIVING
REPRESENTATIVE
STON Of Georgia said:
r.--- - .-+,,1Fad tn,

STON Of Georgia said:
i Il have not studied the subject
with sufficient thoroughness to know just
what should be done. ] read as care
fully as l could the various opinions
in The Sunday Times. and found them
very interesting. do not believe the
country would stand for a system of
civil pensions. It is possible it is feast
BILE 10 raise a pension fund of this kind
among the Government employees them
selves. In the country at large, the
taxpayers do not look at this question
from a compassionate or humanitarian
point Of view.
They simply consult the business side
OF it. and ask wha; is the practice in
the business world when a man has be-
come inefficient through age. So, say,
1 doubt whether any candidate could
venture to go before the people of his
district on a civil pension platform.
1 do wish something could be done for
the benefit OF the old clerks. 1 feel 1t
is due them. How 10 go about it is
another thing I believe that as the re-
suit of this agitation something in the
nature Of a workable plan is likely to
be evolved I am opposed 70 Commits
sioner Wares plan, as | think a man
Is most efficient after ten years OF SER
vice"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

1t is decidedly in the interest Of
the Government to make provision
for its WORKOUT civil servants by
establishing a retired list.
BRIG. GEN. AINSWORTH.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

If some plan be devised which
will be fair to both employee and
the Government, I shall lend that
plan my heartiest support.
SECRETARY HITCHCOCK.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEWS IN
THE TIMES LAST SUNDAY

know of no hardship keener
than that inflicted upon the man OF
woman who after thirty or forty
years of faithful service is turned
adrift. SECRETARY HAY.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13
COMMISSIONER WARE.

/ favor the principle of civil ser
vice pension.
COMMISSIONER MCFARLAND
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

I am confident that, in the Phil
ippines at least, the Government
would greatly gain by the retire
ment Of civilian employees on pen
sions. SECRETARY TAFT.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

A civil service pension is at least
as sensible as a bounty land war
rant act or a bounty pension to sol .
diers, for instance, of the Indian
war
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

/ seriously doubt the wisdom, ne
cessity, and practicability of a civil
service pension system.
COMMISSIONER WEST.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

i have not Investigated this sub
jet enough 70 discuss il lnteIigently."
said Representative Babcock. .'Of one
thing, however. / am convinced. and
that is that something ought to be
zone to relieve the present situation.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

am unalterably opposed to any
proposition looking toward the re-
tirement of civil service employees
on a pension.
SECRETARY MOODY.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

A pension retirement system on a
sound business basis will be for the
good both of the Government and
the employee.
PRESIDENT JACOB w. STARR,
Of the United States Civil Ser
vice Retirement Association.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

The plan of a pension fund ere
ated by assessments against salaries
meets with general appreciation.
CHIEF CLERK IRELAN,
Of the Patent Office.
Alaska forum., 1904-04-30

 tained for an hour or so.
 Friday called on the boys on. Gold Run, Omega and Thanksgiv- ing creeks. The boys on Gold Run are: Jones, Baldry, Hatch, McQuary, Howe. Gill & Wright, Green & Lawrence, Lovel and Mckenzie and others. They were all busy, but gathered together and visited with me for a while. Called on Eddy Powers, who is working hard. Mikkie is with him. The boys working on Thanks giving creek are: Fisher, Nick Nelson, Anderson & Olson, Veg ner & Hederstrom. Meston, Krast- ing & Carlson. We all assembled in Fishers cabin and stayed there about an hour. This new creek shows up number of large dumps with good pay.
 Hurried back to Glen to mee, Jim McHugh, with whom I re- turned.
 During my stay I was a guest of the Eagle Mining Co.,, who have very comfortable quarters and an excellent chef-everybody knows George Klapproth.
 Judging from the amount of work and dumps taken out, I should say that this cleanup will equal, if not surpass, that of any previous year Oh the sunny side of the divide.
 KRIS FALKENBERG.
 Baker Creek, Alaska, April %. "A performance of Faust will be given here tonight at the Olympic theater by the members of the No- bles Dramatic company.
 San Jose, Cal, April 28.-Roy F. Rom, charged with murder and robbery, made sensational escape. from the Central police station last
Alaska forum., 1904-04-30
FALKENBERG VISITS GLEN

ing Co. certainly has a swift dog team. Belsea and myself started from Rampant at noon on Monday and arrived at Glen early in the evening. Both of us were riding as far as 1o6, and from there took turn about.
 The Eagle Mining Go. have several large dumps to he washed up and large piece of ground yet to be worked.
 Tofty & Butler have taken out large amount of good pay on their lay.
 Frank Stevens claim looks prom ising.
 y Lynn & Christensen are making sluice boxes.
 Miller & Oslin have lay from Stevens.
 Fancher & Hudson are working a self Jumper on Glen.
 Dad Foster is proprietor of Glen roadhouse. He is popular with the boys, for there is a large crowd there every evening.
 On Wednesday, Belsea, Boards ley and Tofty> went calling with me. We went to Eureka, What Cheer bar and Doric creek. On Eureka we called on Sewell & Jentzen, and had lunch with Hen derson, Scribbner & Grunder. On What Cheer bar, Scott, Dal- ton, Faulkner, Wood and Green are fixing up sluiceboxes and doing some thawing. They washed pan that went 40 cents. Scott says be is the engineer until something goes wrong; then Faulkner takes the lever.
 On Doric creek we called on Thumm & Boothby Young and Bush are with them. We went down in their drifts and scratched '
The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-01-15
CONSCIENCE
STRICKEN
CITIZEN
: OF clsrksSuro Sends Money to
Railroad Official to Pay Fare
Could Not stea, Ride-wants
clear Card IN Heaven.

General Superintendent w. c. Loree
Of PfttsburR. is in receipt of a Con-
science" letter written by man in
Clarksburg, W. Va The paper and
envelope bear inscriptions from the
Bible and the letter itself is cirusIve.
The man sent 25 cents in STAMPS FOR
several rides that he stole on a
freight train. He said he was cover
ang up '.his back tracks by removing
Al broken rails and rel lights 80 thai
when he went before the final court .,
Judgment the auditor of passenger
receipts" would give hi a ..ciearanc.
card" The communication will b.
forwarded through the usual channcl,
and IL Is safe to say that whoa i,
reaches It's destination there will b
NO less han dozen attached Letters
The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-01-15
new POULTRY
ASSOCIATION
Formed BY Poultry Fanciers to he
known as the cIarksburp poui-
try association.
New Organisation to be independ
ent of State acknowledgement
Exhibition viii be Given In
clarksbaro officers Elected

At the close OF the business meeting
OF the members OF the West virgin,s
State Poultry Association held in the
Swager hotel dining room Friday
evening new organization. indie
pendent OF the state association was
formed. 1t was named the Clarks-
burg Poultry Association. Il is form
ed by poultry breeders and members
OF sHarrison and adjoining counties,
many OF them being members OF the
state association. The object OF the
new organization is the same as that
OF the state association. The first
exhibition will be given in Clarks
burg.
The following officers were elected
to serve for tie ensuing year:
Arthur Sheets OF West Milford.
President.
DR.. G. I. Goodman, Of Lewis county,
Vice. President.
a. D. corroll, OF Morgantowp.
Secretary.
W. II. Lewis, of clarksbure, treas
urer.
The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-01-15
A Night Alarm.

Worse than an alarm of fire at night
is the brassy cought of Group. which,
sounds like the children's death knell
and it means death unless something is
done quickly. Foley's Honey and Ia,
never fails to give instant relief and
quickly cures the ~ost forms of Group
Mrs. p. L. Cordier, OF Warrington, KY.
writes: My three-year-old girl had a
severe case of Group; the doctor said she
could not live. got bottle of Foley's
Honey and Tar. The first dose gave
quick relief, and it saved her life." For
sale by Stone & Mercer. c. d. Sturm &
Co. and r. J. criss.
The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-01-15
A Very Close Can.

81 stuck to my engine. although every
joint ached and every nerve was racked
with pain writes C. W. eBllany, To-
comotive fireman, of Burlington. Iowa.
Il was weak and pale, without any APP
petite and all run down. As was about
to give up, ! got bottle of Electric
Filters. and after taking it, felt a
well as ever did in my life" Weak.
sickly, run down people always gain new
life, strength and v;gor from their use.
Try them. ABSTRACTION guaranteed by
Frank G.. Bland, druggists. Price soc