The Washington times., 1909-06-29
Provision for Aged Govern
ment Employees to Be
Pushed Next Winter.
is IN THE LINE WITH
ECONOMY POLICY
Legislation Long Advocated by
These in Civil Service May
Be Passed Soon.
By JAMES HAY, Jr.

That the President will recon-
mend at the next session of Con
gress the enactment Of legislation
to retire on pensions the aged and
superannuated Government clerks
is the prediction maze in Admins
tration circles today.
It is based on the belief that the
present campaign by the Cabinet
members for the elimination of the
useless Government employe will
result in such sweeping changes and
shake-ups that some action will have
to be taken to prevent similar occur
.TenceS in the future and at the same
time make some provision for the
men and women who have devoted
their lives to the Federal service.
GilIett to Confer.
In addition to this. Representa-
tive Gillett of Massachusetts. who
has been, and will probably con-
tinue as, chairman OF the Commit
tee on Reform in the Civil Service.
intends to have a talk with the
President with the idea os having
him recommend to Congress the
passage of the bin TO create q fund
to pay the pensions of clerks re-
tired on account of age At re-
cent meeting in this city of the
Association for Reforms in the
Civil Service, Mr.. Taft expressed
the hope that such an arrangement
could be made.
It is known that on various ocea-
sions. in discussing the matter, he
has indicated his belief that, in the
light of the study he has so far
given the matter. he fayors the re-
tirement of the clerks when they
become incapacitated by old age.
and that he would like to see them
cared for when this retirement oc-
ours.
SkduS o. ECONOMY
The President and the members Of
his Cabinet are fully resolved TO have
the Government run On as business
like principles as possible, ana they
mean this TO apply not only 20 the
manner in which appropriations are
made, but also 10 the method by which
employees are taken into the service
and retained there. SO far. Mr.. Nagei
and Mr.. Bailinger have taken the lead
IN the movement for having in the
service only those clerks who come
through with "a fun DAYS work for a
full days pay" But there wiz be 9TH
ers who viii follow their example.
secre ary OF the Treasury 8Iacveagh
is planning TO have a shake-up IN the
Treasury which will result in the elm
ination of all clerks who are unfit for q
good days work, either BY age or for
any other reasons. In the War and
Navy departments similar movements
win be i2augurated.
The Administration is embarked on
a policy of economy The President
made this clear as soon as he entered
hte White House, and from time TO
time he and his advisers have repeated
the assertion that nothing viii be left
undone.
Will Mean a Saving.
fQr IuE EEGEtAAACAiA u q EEtsAE E4tAEt4t Aefs
affecting the clerks. the argument is
made that such an arrangement VIII
ultimately mean a saving OF time and
moriey It has been the experience of
some of the biggest business houses in
this country and Europe that a pension
scheme for superannustsd employees is
a real economy, simply because It makes
il possible to keep young, energetic
blood in the work without bringing any
hardships to those who have become old.
Already Mr. Taft has made arrange
ments to save considerable sums Of
money by his various plans 10 eonsoli-
date unnecessary bureaus IN some OF the
departments. This touches the depart
ments OF Agriculture Treasury, Com
merce and Labor and Justice, and Il Is
| involved in the movements 70 consoii-
date the Federal agencies LOT the pres
/ erVation of the public health and to re
/ adjust the methods of controlling and
| dealing with interstate corporations.
A report on the public health plan viii
be submitted 70 Mr.. Tart this summer
! bv surg Gen Walter Wyman. Of the
| Public Health and Marine Hospital Ser
| vice and the corporation scheme ms al
ready been determined on by the Presl-
| dent.
Not First Movement.
In answer to the objection made by
/ some of the frien5s of the clerks that
| this Administration Is going too strong
on the movement for the wedding out
of ineffcients. it has been pointed out
that this is not the first Administration
which has tried to solve the difficulty
! The Roosevelt regime was looking for
ways and means TO get rid of the super
annuated employees aid TO take care OF
| them The movement nov N progress
is but an emphatic determination TO
carry the first campaign to a logical
and successful conclusion.