New-York tribune., 1905-02-12
WOULD BURDEN CITY.
"A Civil Service Pension System
Would Drain Treasur4.

George McAneny, who was secretary OF the Aiu-
niclal Civil Service Commission under Mayor Low,
and who Is nov the chairman OF the special com
nlittee OF Civil Service Of the City Club, argues
that pensions for civil employees prove an ever in
creasing drain on the treasury. He says that pen
Eioas for policemen have increased TO such an ex-
tree that last year they took S2o0 600 Of the city
money. IN the same way. he says. a pension sys-
ten for the clerical employees of the city would
similarly become burden to the taxpayer.
AT the present time said Mr McAneny 1.-The
promoters If the retirement fund scheme for civil
servants say that il viii be practically self-sup-
porting. and that if it does need further moneys
from the treasury 1t would not amount to more
than per cent Of the excise money, or $4,000. This
is nonsense. Actuaries who have studied the sub
3ect show that contributions which would assure
half pay retirement, at the age OF seventy years
would have to average something like 81 per cent.
Al the civil employees backing the Yale bill ex-
pect 10 pay an average Of per cent, and instead
Of retiring at seventy years. they will be able to
become pensioners at the age Of forty-five years
snd upward.
The chief burden viii fall the city. If the
money is not Forthcoming IN contributions TO sup
port the pensioners. the city will have to put up
The cash Legislation will be asked either to in
crease salaries or to enlarge the limit under which
the city may appropriate extra sums.
The contributions will also fall far short of
what the friends Of a pension scheme prophesy.
The younger men in the service will not be as
eager 70 EubScTlDe Ile pan sAS te O4uCi OAASS'
because they will have TO pay part Of their
salaries many long years before they have a
chance 10 benefit Dy the system. whereas the older
men may 60 in, and after paying in small
amount, lie back on half pay and enjoy their
leisure 70 the end Of tneir lives With fewer contr-
buttons therefore, more money viii have 10 De
appropriated from the city's treasury.
Take the police pension fund, for example
Last year the police pensioners obtained $LzoooOO
OF this only $4,000 came from the per cent con-
fributlons Of their salaries and from fines Tor ao-
senoe and other offences. The rest had TO be made
Up from other sources The sum Of $4,000 was
raised by setting aside that much Of the uneXpend-
Cd balance in the fund. and $4,000 was obtained
from selling bonds which represented part OF
The capital Of the pension fund In addition 10 all
This the Board Of Estimate and Apportionment
hao 70 down into the pockets OF the city anu
appropriate 10000 more to make up the deficit
Anc yet It is q fact, as everybody knows, thiI
there are any number Of abiebodied ex-poncenleh
drawing pensions, who also earning conpe-
seAces IL some sort Of employment in private AIe.
Know u one instance. for example. where q po-
hcenan retired from the old New-York force ana
oDia-aed & position Of policeman in village IN
queens County. With the consolidation on the
Greater city, he back the city force again
= "aa L14c finally, however. that he could NOT
osT full 1ay as @ Ina-utc- of the force and half
fay ar prlsirner.
Nh-t I have sa.d .s independent entirely Of
ny #lri 80 chairman Of 'hc Civil Service com
1atee e. aa Cty club, which Is now preparing
itEcr ults subject In conclusion wou-d
- q-o.e from report Of the National CiVil
'gEie' Reform Lcagu' which said:
ieag-e expressly discla!ms any advocacy
81 Service pensions as part Of the merit
fstleA. nIlf-l contempiates such pensions no more
- did Tie system OF appointment and removal
'aFoE. gre saitns before the merit system was
.ieaecea. on the contrary, the protection which
essi ifed tenure during efficiency affords to pub
would enable them by the exercise OF
ks.ily and forethought, provide cat OF their
sags Tor Ole age and inhrnlity.'" q"
ttp''sh ne cid have the exact figures at
49,, Ar McAneny estimated that the total
,shi paid out in pensions by Ihe city amounted
l'F-eta.ng between Sz5J.eJ0 ard $3OO9600.