The Washington times., 1905-12-17
FIRST STEP TAKEN
TOWARD RETIRING
VETERAN CLERKS
Representative Tawney
Introduces Significant
Resolution.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED
Calls for Information as to
Number of Employees
Over Seventy.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED

The initial step toward a serious
| tempt by Congress 20 find what shall be
done with the aged and infirn Govern-
ment clerks in Washington was taken
late yesterday afternoon, when Ren-a-
sentative Tawney. chairman OF The
House Committee on APPROXIMATIONS
submitted a resolution ia the Hous. re-
ouestine the President to furnish Com
gress as soon as practicable with a
statement Of the number Of clerks over
seventy years of age employed In ali
IN Government executive departments
me government Printing Once. and the
smithsonian Institution
The resolution was adonted hv -
House without e dissenting voice
Significant Statement.
ID Offering it. Mr.. Tawney made tn.
slSnifcant statement that it is easy
enough 10 get people into the Govern
ment employ. but under the prezept
conditions. ii is hard 20 get them o,,r
OF IL 01e
on all sides ii is thought that this res
oiutlon presages a serious campaten hv
the House Committee on APPROPRIATED.
20 so legiSiate this session or the pexr
mat some disposition viii be made .,
the superannuated clerks. The mova-
mont Is too young TO allow of any ce-
tam prediction of whether this rnov
VIII result in reduced salaries for The
Vlu sierAs or VIII tend 70 establish =
pension system for them.
But one thing is certain. there ar.
many members OF Congress who beva
carefully considered the n,a,ta, go
who have concluded that the tirne bax
come in the development of civil ser.
vice when the 'superannuated clerk.
! qGesSion ought 20 be disposed of with
some economy for the national treasury
The Dill. introduced a few days ago
BY Irrigation BiiI- Reeder of Lya--
sas. providing that the aged clerks shal,
be retired on haff-pay is but an irdi-
cation or the drift OF Coneress,anzr
opinion or this Important top.c.-Tr
seems certain. however. that no dispose
ton viii he made Of tie problem With
out the fullest aDe most specific de-
bate in both the Hos>Se--and Senate.
There are some who claim that no
change win be made in the standing OF
The aged clerks during this Congress.
II was Just before the close OF yesSz
terday's session Of the House thar Mr.
TawRey submitted his resolution ask
ing for the Information as 10 how many
seventy-year-olds are now working for
Uncle Sam.
In addition TO saving what depart
ments they work in why not get the
Information as 10 Whist States they are
from suggested Representative FIN
ley
Information Easily Obtained.
Representative Mann OF Illinois here
said he thought il would take too long
10 secure the desired information for
I n ha nf ~, 81,
tion of the legislative. executive. and
judicial appropriation bin by the Ap-
prOpriaIions Committee.
Mr.. Tawney replied he thought the
information could be promptly obtained.
and explained that he wanted II 10 az
sist the committee in the preparation OF
the Iegisla tive. executive, and judicial
appropriation bill. this being the meas
ure carrying the apprOpria Iions for all
the executive departments of the Gov
einmeut.
why do you want this informationY-.
queried John Wesley Gaines OF Tennes-
see.
Mr. Tawney answered that It would
show his committee the amount OF SAL
any paid TO clerks over seventy years
old. He further stated that, after he
had secured the information. il could
mittse as that body thought best
There is ample opportunity 10 get
into the Government service now" he
concluded. but not much 10 get out
The resolution was then adopted with
out further discussion
Later in the evening Mr.. Tswney.
when questioned about the measure.
said IL was a request for information
merely. lie added that the information
might suggest some form of legislation
on The clerk question.
Members OF Congress who have kept
in touch with the matter say they would
not be at all surprised TO see the Com
mittee on ApproDria tions bring to the
floor of the House before the last OF
January some suggestion OF change
IN the uethod OF paying the aged and
infirm clerks in the departments II 10
also pointed out that there are mem
bers who would favor such PROPOSE
ton.
\ great impetus to-tIfe mOvemers. in
Congress for such change has been
clerks To have a pension system estab-
lished by Congress The agitation Tor
this has persuaded members taat there
~ really need for some rriol ms "a the
matter. -. =
Plan of Reeder Bill.
The Reeder bul seems to be an OUT
growth OF this idea. II provides that
the aged and infrm clerks shall be
retired on half pay and substitute
clerks shall fill The places thus vacated
and receive the other half OF the pay
until the aged clerks die when the sub
sutute5 snail receive tilc efntl llIrlCntS IN
full OF the respective jobs.
Such plan would pension the old
clerks without increasing the cost OF
running the Government.
On the other hand. there are some
ConSreSSmen who are friends of the
old clerks, and who would ia all prob
a oiiity. vote to retain them in Office
II is. however. apparently assured
that Congress VIII take. or attempt TO
take some action looking 10 a Satis-
factory settlement ot the question Of
what TO do with aged and infirfn cierka