The Washington times., 1909-04-26
AGED CLERKS FATE
IN DEPART
HANGS IN BALANCE
Superannuated Employees
May Go In Movement
For Economy.
MACVEAGH MAKING
AN INVESTIGATION
No Action Yet Taken-Congress
May Be Asked to Provide
Pensions.

Thar this Administration in cOnnec-
ton with its intention to promote econ
omy in the Government service, win
take some action to remove from the
pay rolls the superannuated department
clerks is the growing impression among
those well informed on the subject
Although the matter has not yet been
considered by the Cabinet in a regular
meeting, it is known that the President
recognizes the futility OF securing real
economy in the departments so long as
the pay rolls carry men and women who
cannot do the work as Well as It could
be done by younger and more energetic
clerks.
Secretary of the Treasury MacVeagh
is at present making a study OF tne sit
uation, not only with view TO employ
| ing as small number OF clerks as pos
sible I'm his department, but also IN or
der to see what can be done In regard
TO the aged clerks. Other members OF
the Cabinet are making similar investi-
cations IN their respective departments.
Pension for Clerks.
Representative Gillette CT Massachu-
| setts is prepared to work in the next
session OF Congress for the passage of
his bill raliriag clerks on pensions pro-
vided IN a fund made up Of eoutribu-
tons from the salaries OF all the clerks.
He has strong hopes Of being success
full Before this session adjourns he
viii have a consultation with the Presi-
dent in regard 10 it.
1t Is the attitude of the Administra-i
ton. however. that its action in the mat
ter shall not work undue hardships on
| the old employees OF the Government
Therefore. while the demands OF econ
/
retired from the active list, il is the be-
/ lief of many high in Administration cir
| cles that Scr provision for their ssn-
sl0nlng along the Zines Of the Gillette
1t is the desire of the President 10 in
| still ginger into the organization of the
| executive DEPARTMENTS and to get the
| best results possible for the money ex-
| pended He las impressed this lrpou
| his cabinet officers, and they, in turn,
have carried thu message u the chiefs
OF divisions under them.
It's Importance.
If it is decides by tha various secre-
taries that the good CO the service de-
mands the elimination Of the sueeran-
nuated employe, it fs not at all Improb-
ahke that the President may have some
thing to say on the subject in his next
message 10 Congress The fact that no
decision IN the matter has baan reached
indicates that it is regarded Of SO much
importance as TO require extended
study and deliberation.
1t Is tacitly admitted hat Mr.. Mac
Veagh is the man who viii have most
to do with determining What the final
action viii be. He has Sc on foot an
exhaustive investigation in his depart
ment with the avowed Object Of finding
out every possible means fo- Isssening
! the expeDses of the pay rcll-
Already he has come face to face with,
the propo sition that money could be
saved by dropping not only the surser-
annuateI clerks. but also those who
have coTae to be regarded as holding
6ueed to miaumum and leisure time
IS too plentiful.
Heroic Methods.
There have been discovered aIresy
several offices in which diminutigl
, of the office fozce could be eHecta
without IessseRing the amount OF worl
turned out Such situations as these
, win be t.'ea-ed in a heroic manner. In
considering them, the next natural
question wilS be as to whether If the
sinecures hsld by the losfers are to De
> abolished while those held by the sl-
perannuated are TO remain In the
minds of some Of the Cabinet officers
there is but one answer to this ques-
tion.
IT is realized that there are aged
clerks who do a full days work, and
have not ct let their years get the
! better Of their ability TO z=oTk. But in
Administration circles, il Is claimed
that these few may have to go wita
the general run Of those who are really
errrarqnu1rafR6