Evening star., 1909-05-21
LOCAL CLERKS WIN
Substitute for Pending Retire
ment Bills Rejected.
new WORKERS DIVIDED
Split in Delegation Saves Washing
ton Contingent.
GENERAL CONFERENCE OPPOSED
Officers for the Year Elected-Mass
Meeting to Be Held in the Public
Library Tonight.

and the election Of officers marked last
nights session Of the annual meeting OF
the United States Civil Service Retire
ment Association at Pythian Temple. The
hottest fight was over a bill which III. r..
Myers of New York offered as a substi-
tute measure for the retirement bills now
pending in Congress, and which he asked
the convention to indorse.
Into the discussion of the Myers measure
and the advisability of its substitution in
Congress for the bills now awaiting ac-
ton by that body was injected the aues-
ton of the extent of the influence OF the
employees of the government working In
Washington over those employed in other
cities with respect to the affairs of the
league. Strong opposition on the part OF
delegates from other cities against the
Washingtonians quickly appeared. and 1t
was by a close vote that the Washington
contingent finally won out and tabled the
Myers resolution. A split in the New
York delegation was all that saved the
situation.
Bills Before Congress Described.
The retirement bills at present before
Congress were introduced In the House
by Representative Gillette and In the
Senate by Senator Perkins. They pro-
vide for system of retirement which
will involve the expenditure Of $4,000. .OOO
the distribution Of which will cover a
period of fifty years. The Washington
clerks are pinning their faith on these
measures. A thorough review Of the
provisions of these bills was given by
the retiring president Of the league. Pick
ems Neagle, chief clerk of the Navy De-
partment. Although the bills were lack
ing in certain features, Mr.. Neagle said,
they were a step in the right direction
and the best measures that had yet been
considered by Congress.
In order to accomplish the object In
view," said Mr.. NeagIe, 1t is necessary
to make a start to put the plan into
operation, and to do that it is neces-
sary that the machinery be established.
But the business belongs to the govern
the government should furnish the plan? ?
The government will derive benefit from
a practicable and satisfactory plan much
greater unQuestionably than the members
of the service will receive.
More work has been done In the last
year than In any one previous year, and
that work has borne more fruit than the
efforts made In any other period. Or
ganization has been perfected, informa-
ton has been disseminated, interest has
been aroused, friends have been made
whose Indifference was marked. favorable
public sentiment has been created. uni
fication of purpose has been effected
among the various branches of the serv-
ice, and there has been a crystallization
Of favorable consideration in Congress-.
National Conference Opposed.
In the discussion of the question of
the control of the league by the Wash
ington members. several of the delegates
from other cities charged that the con-
sideration they were entitled to was not
given them. c. w. Commons Of Chicago
introduced q resolution for holding a ma
tiOnal conference, but, after q lively de-
bate, it was tabled. Those who spoke in
behalf Of the civil service employees of
cities outside of Washington were Mr.
Commons, A. Schultz. II. r. Myers OF
New York and Mr.. Prendergast Of Bos-
ton.
The Washingtonians who upheld the
local branches were NJ. F. O'Donoghue,
]. w. Buck and DR.. Jordan.
Officers Elected.
The officers elected for the ensuing
year were: nj. F. O'Donoghue, president;
DR.. George w. Leadley, first vice presi-
dent; s. E. Faunce, second vice president;
Mrs. Jennie L. Monroe; third vice presi-
dent; DIR. Llewellyn Jordan, secretary,
and r. Stone Jackson, treasurer Mr..
Jackson was the only man who succeeded
himself in office.
The report of the secretary, M. F.
O'Donoghue, and the treasurer, r. Stone
showed receipts during the last
year of -, 1864 and a balance OF s., 224. 33
The report of the chairman of the audit
ing committee, M. j. O'Reilly, showed the
financial management of the association
to be efficient and accurate.
Meeting Tonight.
A mass meeting will be held tonight in
the Public Library by members and
friends OF the Civil Service Retirement
Association. Addresses will be made by
Charles II. Treat, treasurer of the United
States; Representative Goulden of New
York, Representative Langley OF Ken
lucky, Joseph +. Scanlon of New York
and F. l.. Siddons, member of the Ma
tional Reform League.
The officers and members of the as
sociation were received this morning by
the President in the east room at the
White House.