Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03
A Plea for Old Employees.
no the editor OF ne Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
I request space in your esteemed journal
for plea for justice for old employees in
the government service. Much has been
said of late in disparagement of those who
have given the best years of their lives to
the government. It has even become the
practice recently to set aside well-tried and
experienced men and women In the varied
departments of the government on the
ground of age, taking it for granted that
they are physically and mentally incapaci
tated for duty, when this by no means fol-
lows as necessary consequence. The truth
is that the standard OF age alone Is very
uncertain basis on which to reach a con-
cluslon as to ones capacity for work. Some
possess their mental faculties to ripe old
age. unimpaired and well fitted for the
highest order of intellectual effort while
the powers of others Wane at a compare
lively young age Much depends upon con-
ditions, environments and the class of work
on which one Is engag ed his adaptablity
fitness and liking for the work, etc. In
singing out employees on the ground stated
injustice has been done in several instances
to both men and women of merit and high
repute. 1t matters not whether the injus-
tice was Intentional since the effect is the
same to the individuals thus unfairly dealt
with. 1t IS against the principle of action
that the writer enters objection. When one
gives ones life to a calling one Is fairly
entitled to consideration the end draws
to a close, especially so when the services
rendered have been faithful and mertorious
1t is believed that this much will be con-
coded by all fairminded and reasonable
persons. If faithful and honorable service
to the government be considered meritori-
Gus, as it certainly should be, then it is
submitted that length of service should not
constitute a valid sufficient reason for
dsplac cling, setting aside, reducing or other
wise infficting humiliation upon deserv-
ing employe solely on the ground of age
The assumption that because OF age the
&c tsilt 1fa
for the services rendered should not be &C
cepted without strong proof or evidence of
the fact. This, to the mind of the writer
is only simple justice TO the employee. When
the government has retained individual
in its service during the best years of his
life it does not seem fair, nay, it does not
seem honorable, that 1t should deal harshly
with the person who has served 1t faithfully
and honestly at the close of his career and
when he is hardly fitted to enter or adapt
himself to a new line of life. No just and
fairminded person will, it is thought, dissent
from this view.
The question has at various times come
up in the adminstra ton of departmental
affairs. and be 1t said TO the honor of the
prominent and distinguished men of the
past who ruled over these departments that
not one is on record in favor of harsh
or unfair dealing with old, efficient and
faithful employees of the government. Some
went so far as to stigmatize such action as
cruel and unjust, and publicly declared that
as humane men they could not perform such
acts.
In regard to employees who are unable to
perform their labors because of their age
and impaired health, it is believed that Con-
gress should make provision to meet such
cases. 49, 1t would be an act of justice to
such employees, and in the interest of eff
cheney of the service well as economy
While not paternal in It's aims the republic
is beneficent In its character and broad and
enlightened in the application of this prin-
ciple The American people are neither
Inn riin
just, generous and fairminded, and need
only to have the subject fairly presented to
win their sympathy and favor
JNO. MORAN