Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-28
Retirement Pension Plan.
Not a Raid on Treasury

Dr.. Lleweilyn Jordan, secretary Of the
Civil Service Retirement Association, has
made public an explanatory statement OF
the progress Of the civil service retire
ment movement.
1--WE are not planning a raid upon the
! national Treasury. nor are we exploiting
grab game at the expense OF the tax
payers Of the country he says; rather
are We engaged In the work of providing
a suitable and equitable way of relieving
the government of an increasing burden
due to approximation and disability OF
civil employees.
More than twenty-five years have
passed since the enactment of the civil
service law. and the service has grown
until now it embraces more than $4,000
civil service employees.
Exchange reports have been made
by the heads of departments. the United
States civil service commission and the
National Civil Service Reform League all
of which tend to show that inefiiciency
In the public service due to superannua-
tioI Is costing the government annually
approximately 100000.
Conditions Demand Correction.
I'm order that the civil service law may
be brought to that degree of perfection
which was contemplated by its trainers,
service may be maintained. it is absolute
lily necessary. In the opinion OF those most
competent to Judge, that some suitable
just and equitable way. fair alike to the
government and to the employees. shall
be found and some method devised by
which superannuated and diasable civil
employees OF the government may be re-
tired with annuities. Either this must
be done, or. Instead it will be necessary
In order to minimize the evils which is
now concrete one Of superannuation, to
fix some definite term of service Of civil
service employees. sufncientlyl short to
secure frequent rotation and lessen the
likelihood of approximation.
"A word seems to be necessary with
respect to the experience Of England.
which is frequently referred to as one
Of the countries granting a civil pen.
sion. In 1890 a scheme was adopted by
the British government OF deducting a
limited portion Of the wage Of each en-
ploye in certain classes.
British Plan Improved.
This plan was continued until 1910
and perfected in 1929. when a general
deduction Of per cent from salaries OF
employees in certain grades and per
cent from those occupying other posi-
tons was made. The money SO deduct
ed was placed in a common fund and
esta blished.
"This system prevailed until 1857.
when. owing to the dissatisfaction on
the part OF those who did not reach
the retiring age and who had contrib
uted to this fund, and who. either by
voluntary separation from the service OF
by reason Of death, had forfeited the
amounts SO contributed. q royal commits
sion was appointed to investigate the
whole subject. and as result of such
investigation the English government
set aside approximately sS.000.00O to
the credit Of tbs clerks retirement
fund. and thenceforth established a
civil pension list.
proposed and numerous bills introduced
in Congress, and each may have its spe-
cial merit. yet united action upon some
definite plan must be ultimately secured.
If we are to succeed IN our unoertakns.
We sometimes hear it said that In a
multitude Of counselors there is wisdom.
and we may appropriately add that there
is also a radical difference Of opinion.
Each may firmly believe that the govern
ment will fail unless his individual views
prevail.
Opinions to Be Reconcsled.
''Differences OF opinion have travelled
along the entire journey Of human his
tory and are likely to be manifest in the
future. They appeared among the
trainers OF our national Constitution, and
a very serious compromise was inserted
into that immortal document because OF
such differences
1T is the purpose of our ASSOCIATION to
hold Joint conference in the city OF
washington OH January 10. 1910. to
which will be invited representatives
from all branches Of the federal service
throughout the country. and at which
time we hope to agree If possible. upon
some type Of bill upon which We can
all unite ana present to Congress with
una ninity Of action.
Our watchword from now until the
enactment Of some equitable and just re-
tirement law should be educate. agitate,
organize, and with the magnificent army
Of postal employees, numbering more than
600 what a splendid show OF strength
and concert Of action there will be!'