Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-26

despite their years. are efficient still.
In many cases their age and conse-
quent experience is q help and not a
hindrance to the conduct Of public
work. They may not be as swift Of foot
and deft Of hand as some of the young
| err set. but what of their reliability and
sense of responsibility? And il they
have been for years worthy Of their
hire and grown old at their tasks and
are too lame or halt for further use
fulness is it the fair thing to turn
them out or cast them adrift: A pri-
vate employer who would thus treat
old employees would not be we'll re-
garded by his fellow-men and those
corporations which many Of the most
eloquent and archaeological members
Of Congress insist have no souls pro-
vide retirement system and pension
fund for old and infirm workmen.
The present petitioners have logic on
their side. The United States is, as the
petition recites. about the only civilized
nation which does not make provision
for the retirement OF its superannuated
civil employees. The retirement plan has
had no lack of investigation. A commits
sion appointed by the President devoted
and reported in favor of retirement in the
classified civil service. The present cab-
net is favorable to the plan. Many Of
the brainiest cabinet officers who have
ever sat at Presidents councils have
urged the adoption of such a system.
Among them is Secretary MacVeagh,
whose business ability and experience
render his views of the greatest value.
&C. >,
in official and sem-of1icial ways the forfnu-
lation and adoption of a retirement plan
In the present instance it was the Sec
rotary who pressed for immediate action.
Is the question too difficult or too big
for the government to handle when
private corporations can put such a sys-
tenn into operation?
a retirement system is not a charity
measure. 1t safeguards the employee
and results in more satisfactory and
contented service to the employer. 1t
is system which accords with the
best theory Of business economy. 1t
should be adopted by the civil service
Of the government.
The civil service petitioners to Con-
sress do not contemplate a charge ex-
clusively upon the United States Treas
ury. What they ask is the enactment of
a retirement law based on an equitable
contributory plan, such law to provide
for an adequate retiring allowance ba sed
on average salary and length of service.
and for the return OF contributions. with
interest. to persons leaving the service be-
fore reaching the age limit or to their
legal representatives in case Of DEATH
One result of the vigorous renewal Of
to revive interest in the Gillette bill pend
ing in the House, which seems to some
extent to embody the views expressed in
the petition. This bill would retire en-
ployes so far as possible at their own ex-
pense. II would provide for the retire
ment on annuities of superannuated en-
ployes. and for the payment of these an
nuities by deductions from their salaries
1t would keep to the credit of each en-
ploye all deductions from his own salary,
SO that his savings might be returned to
him on separation from the service or to
his heirs in case of death. Temporarily
the government would assist in the pro-
vision Of annuities for those employees
who are now superannuated or who soon
will be and from whose salaries the nee
essary deductions would not be made. The
Gillette bill in effect comp rehends conf
pulsory savings account for each en-
ploye, with immediate aid from the gov
eminent for those clerks who are now in
the superannuated class.