Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-02
Legislative Contest Next Winter

The active and energetic espousal of the
cause of the clerks on the part of the Pres
ident Will therefore be viewed with the
greatest interest by all concerned in the
legislative battle. which is certainly des-
tined to be historic, which will probably
be pulled off at the next ensuing session Of
our chief Legislative body. The most recent
and noteworthy instance of this strange his
tility of coordinate branch of govern
mental salaried workers against another
was seen last session. when, despite a gen.
eral public demand and unanimous sent1-
ment faVOring an increase in the salaries
of the clerks, Congress summarily tabled
the measure after increasing the pay of its
own members and about every body else 1t
could think of-eXcept the clerks.
Although civil pension list may not be
viewed with favor on the part of Congress
or throughout the country when the retire
ment fund is to be taken from the treasury.
there is certainly no just reason of the ap-
parently ever-present opposition to the civil
employees adopting retirement measure
which shall have as fund such percentage
of the employees salaries as may be finally
determined upon and the PRONUNCIATION of
scheme of self-retirement which will be
the most equitable, all things considered.
Retirement Considered Necessary.
"A just and equitable retirement enact
ment is really necessary in the civil
branch of the government as in the military
and naval, and it cannot be doubted that
the President takes this fair and broad
minded view of the existing situa ton here
and since the civil force is willing to pro-
vide ways and means of it's own to the &C
complishment of this purpose 1t is incom-
prehensible why the hostility and opposi-
ton continues to obtain with the gentle
men in the white marble building on Cap
itol Hill.
And let 1t be understood that the old
and experienced clerks are just as neces-
sary to the proper administration of the
governments civil affairs as are the ex-
perienced officers in the military and naval
arms. A proper retirement act would go a
long way toward the settlement Of many
of the vexatious problems which now exist
in the civil branch, and one of which is the
So-called elimination of the dead wood in
the departments, meaning the dismissal Of
the hundreds of old and faithful clerks who
have given their lives to their work.
Although reduction in salary and the
placing in minor grades OF these clerks re-
lieves the situation to some extent, suit
able retirement act would enable an en-
poye who had given a generation to the
service OF the government, and who had
thereby become untitled for other occupa-
lions. chance to retire upon moderate
competence with some degree of self respect
and honor both to himself and the service
This is the general feeling in the depart
ments, and the hitch lies in the means to
be ultimately agreed upon. If the Presi-
dents efforts may be directed In this chan
nell as would now appear to be the case,
long and satisfactory step In the right di-
rection has been taken when 1t is under
stood that he favors the movement In any
event the ultimate result, with ms power
full influence swung In the direction of the
movement, will be awaited with the keen
est expectation and interest on the part OF
those who are Interested.