Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-14

District appropriation act which SEEM
ingly empowers the Commissioners not
only to reduce the pensions Of retired
members Of the local police and fire de-
partments, but also to entirely discon-
tinue pensions in cases where the gra-
tuitous allowances appear to no longer
be deserved. is causing probably moro
at the present time among the
department heads and employees Of the
District of Columbia than even the fit
tings of the magnificent new District
building. Varying opinions obtain con-
cerning the exact status of pensioners
under the law. and Of the powers dele
gated to the Commissioners by the stat
ute, though the Commissioners them
selves entertain no doubt that they have
the right to curtail or abolish pensions
under certain circumstances.
Commissioner Mcfarland was positive
in taking his stand on this side of the
question today.
1.-The Commissioners" he said. will
have to go over the whole list of reports
of the examinations of pensioners Of the
police and fire departments and decide
under the law which, If any. OF the PEN
sions should be reduced or discontinued.
In case of pensioners who have refused
to obey the law and submit to an examf-
nation l believe that the spirit of the
law requires that the Commissioners
should drop them from the list Of pen
sioners, and shall so vote upon any case
Of that kind which appears in the re-
ports.'
Law Will Be Enforced.
Commissioner West also declared the
law will certainly be enforced, and in his
opinion the Commissioners undoubtedly
have the power to drop pensioners from
the rolls either in cases where the re-
cipients of the allowances have recovered
entirely from the disabilities which led to
their retirement and have proved them
selves able to earn good wages in other
classes OF employment, or in instances In
which pensioners have deliberately re-
fused or failed to appear for the exam
nations required by law.
Each case will be considered carefully
and on its merits Alone Mr.. West said
land the judgment of the Commissioners
will be pronounced without fear or favor"
Maj. Sylvester superintendent of police
came out strongly today with plea for
the pension system. He said he believes
the Commissioners have the right to re-
altogether. and he gave a number Of
earnest arguments in favor of pensions
for both the fire and police departments,
declaring that it is only the assurance of
having their families supported in event
of their death that attracts the good class
Of men desired to both services.
Views of Maj. Sylvester.
Speaking particularly of the effect of
the pension system on the police depart
ment, Maj. Sylvester said:
Il looked into the matter of reduction
of pension awards under our law some
time ago and found it within the rights Of
the District to reduce allowances made by
retiring boards. but not to cut off allow
ances altogether. For many years We
have been contending for the pension.
and during the past five years the plan
now in practice has worked satisfactorily.
1t is a thing that has been urged by the
International Police Association and police
heads more than any other, because the
man enlisted in the service which is ex-
ira hazardous feel assured that in case
Of injury he is cared for and in case OF
death his family will be partially sus-
tained.
1T is the strongest inducement for en-
listment. Rigid physical examinations
precede appointments. If this cannot be
had the individual feels that he can do
better with little less pay and have his
Sundays. holidays and nights of. and no
uniform to buy. Where an individual is
given a pension allowance 1t Is not proper
that he should receive government pay
elsewhere, but l can see no objection to
man trying to make both ends meet
by sitting around as watchman some
where, or finding employment in which
physical strength and endurance will not
be required.
When the pension system went into eff
feet after the force had been organized
for thirty or forty years there was a
large contingent Of disabled men, and
they became charges under the new law,
So that 1t had rather an extensive de-
pendency from the start. There are many
who should be retired today, but the con-
dition Of the available funds will not
permit
"Over forty cities maintain pension
funds, and most of the retirements are
made on the basis Of an allowance Of
half the amount of salary received at
time of retirement. In London it is half
pay at the end of fifteen years and two
thirds allowance after twenty-six years
service. Consul General Wynne recently
sen. to me the statistics on this subject.
The District can never have a model
department until provision is made for
this character Of encouragement for men
in the service. 1t is the strongest in
centive to the enlistment Of good men,
and we snould not be behind many small
er Jurisdictions in the country. The best
sible which will justify the demand for
faithful and rigid observance Of the laws
and order on the part of the force.
II sincerely hope a good. strong retire.
melt law will result for this Jurisdiction.
and have collected considerable data to
be used to that end
President Of Belgian Senate Dead.
RRJISaEIS q Julv 1l-Count de Merode