The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-01
RAILROAD NEWS.
Rock Island Will Soon Announce
New Pension System.
Provides Compulsory Retire
ment at 20 Years of Age.
In EFFECT JUNE 30, 1910
Pensions for All Employees i'm
Service for % Years.
Other Items Of Interest in
Railway Circles.
IN EFFECTJUNE 30, 1910

| Within few days the Rock Island
will announce a comprehensive pension
system which will be more liberal and
complete, than any now in use on any
American railway. The system will be
put into effect on June 80. 1910.
For some time the officials of the
Rock Island have been engaged in
gathering data from their different de-
partments which would enable them to
Eut their system into operation. Circu-
| lars have been sent out. and blanks
have been distributed among the lead
ing officials, -unon which statistics have
been compiled which have enabled the
company to work out a system which
is said to be an elaborate one.
Retire All at Age of 20.
One feature of the new pension sys-
tenn of the Rock Island will be the
compulsory retirement of all employees
| of the railroad who have reached the
age of 20. When this takes effect June
80. it is expected a large number OF
the aged employees of the system Will
be placed on the retired list with a
pension which will be enough to pro-
vide means of sustenance for the rest
of their lives. The Rock Island has
$4,000 employees, snd a large number are
Well along in years.
Another feature will be the elective
retirement of all employees who have
reached the age of IS. This is a liberal
provision and will doubtless be the
cause of a number of older employees
taking life easily for the rest of their
days.
The only requirement for a pension
Is 25 years of service. There is no
limit set upon the age at which the
company will employ man in the
first instance. The provisions of the
system allow for all leaves of absence,
suspension dismissal followed by rein
statement within one year, of temporary
force, without the continuity of SER
vice being impaired.
Letter TO Departments.
The following ular letter has been
forwarded to til ads of the different
departments, and is in itself self-ex-
planatory of the system:
ITO Heads of Departments:
1T is the intention of the above lines
to inaugurate q pension system on or
about January 1, 1910. and with this 90
ject in view, We have today forwarded
you supply of personal record blanks
and cards. These blanks and cards are
to be used only for such officers and
employees, whose entire time has been
given - company's service Ooint en-
pioyes with other railroads and ex-
I.ress companies are eI1gible), and who
have and will attain the age or Ol
years, June &C., 1910; also for those who
have been in continuous service 70 or
more years, and have become pernan-
che personal record blanks, form NO
G102, are to be filled out by each en-
ploye above specified, and the personal
record cards, form No. G100, are tc be
filed out by the head of each depart
pent; two cards to be used for each
record, the original card to be for
varded to this office with the personal
record blank attached thereto, and
duplicate card for your file.
1.-THE term of service shall be consid-
cred from the day since which they |
Rave been continuously employed upon
any of the railroads now known as
Rock Island lines, whether prior to. or
to their control or acqulsl-
lion by the Chicago. Rock Island 4
Pacific Railway company; provided, I
however, that in no case shall such ser
wee be considered for any period prior
10 October 1, 1852 Leave of absence,
suspension, dismissal followed by rein
statement within one year. or temper
arv layoff account reduction Of force
shall not be considered a break in the
continuity of service
"Rules and regulation of the pension
system will be published later.
'.EDW. S. MOORE,
Second Assistant to President