The Washington times., 1905-08-27
GO SLOW" ADVISES
PRESIDENT STARR
Tells Retirement ASSOcia-
ton to Be Sure of Data.
CAREFULLY FRAMING BILL
Many Disappointments Heretofore Be-
cause Bills Have Been Based on
Incomplete Figures.
CAREFULLY FRAMING BILL

1nCompiete flgureS-
Jacob W. Starr. president of the Unit
ed States Civil Service Retirement As
sociation. is now in communication with
actuaries whose services he is trying to
obtain In connection with the framing
OF an assessment bill which the asso-
citation expects will meet all the re-
quirements of Congress
The Treasury branch and the branches
recently organized in the Pension Office
and the Navy Department are also
working in unison with the parent
organization, and report exceptional sue
cess The Treasury branch, through its
legislative committee is working on a
per cent plan OF assessment, which ii
has figured out will retire six employees
every year on a basis of $50 per month
from the revenue derived from assess
ments on the salary of one hundred of
the average paid civil service employees.
Three Per Cent Plan May Fail.
Mr.. Starr. however. does not feel sure
that the percent plan will work
oat. and has advised the branch asso-
Citations that other plans as we'll as the
one that is now under consideration
should be looked into. The parent or
ganiZation has met with so many dis
appointments in the matter of bills that
have been presented to Congress that
now when every prospect for success is
assured. il is thought best to be patient
and know what the bill calls for and
what they can do before going before
Congress. Mr.. Starr said yesterday:
When the association began its ac-
IL
management which has continued for
the past three years. retirement in the
civil service upon any plan favorable to
claims to consideration. received little
OF no public or official favor.
Public Interested.
Now the press and public quite gem
orally express deep and favorable inter
est in it. many public officials have de-
ciared their approval of some equitable
and humanitarian measure the Civil
Service Commission has given most IA
vorable attention to the subject and
published in its report the special ar
ticles prepared by our executive COM
nittee showing the extent OF the adop-
tion OF the system of retiring employees
Of the large corporations, and commit
manifested an earnest desire to find the
proper solution.
This fayora bic change would not have
occurred but for the work of the as
sociation. the efforts of whose executive
committee have been unceasing within
the limits of the executive permission
A conservative and proper presentation
OF the meritorious claims OF the en-
ployes is sure to receive recognition.
"Be Sure You Are Right
BE sure you are right and then go
ahead. was never said with reference to
anything with greater reason than the
formation OF retirement bill. There
are many, however. who are so impa-
tient TO go ahead that they do not want
10 wait TO first learn that they are right
No more valuable service could be rem
dered the cause than that OF ascertain
ing how near right were the various
retirement schemes which were advo-
Gated
Our committee devoted great deal
OF time and labor To this work, and by
the assistance of actuarial services has
arrived at results which show the futil-
ity OF the many plans which were press
ing for consideration. When our COM
nittee is prepared TO recommend a bin
IL Will be one which can DA depended
upon 10 fulhu its purpose al all times.
and not fail when its relief Is most
needed; and il is the purpose that every
reasonable effort VIII be made TO have
such a bill presented at the next session
OF Congress.
Many Bills Presented.
The executive committee has consid-
cred the features OF practically all the
retirement bills that have been intro
duced In Congress since 1891, and a num-
Der OF bills prepared by its subcommit-
tees and by branch organizations. The
main difficulty with all assessment bills
heretofore prepared IS that the rates
have been fixed without any inforna-
tion as 10 whether they were suficiar.tis-
hign 10 continue the retirement pay
nen;s
Upon the Only data ut the time avail
abie-thaJ collected by the association
actuaries have determined that no rate
provided BY any of these bills fixing a
rate which would be acceptable 10 the
majority OF employees. is high enough
10 carry il beyond d few years. The
rate shown by these determinations 10
be necessary 10 furnish desirable fea-
lures of a retiremer.t plan is so high
that the committee fas not felt willing
TO adopt il.
Now that complete and official data
are al hand. ii is hoped that an actua-
rial report thereon may show a more
favorable rate II is the desire of the
committee 10 Secure such report and
consider it in connection with a posi-
Die assessment plan.
Not Committed.
THE executive committee is not com
mitted 10 any special form of bill. We
are desiring 10 consider all feasible plans
and to reach a conclusion which shall
be the best solution OF the problem. 10
secure the greatest good to the great
est number. The possibilities of an as
sessment bIll must be ascertained and
presented. and such plan may be final
ly considered. together with the several
other plans believed by many TO be
more feasible.
las the result of the associations eff
forts" continued MIR. Starr. the Cen
sus Bureau has compiled bulletin No.
y concerning the civil SprVfc.s r-bfc