The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-01-14
Pensions for Clerks Move
ment Endorsed by the
Chief Executive.
LITTLE PROSPECT
FOR PROMPT ACTION
Conuibutory Plan Only One Con-
gress VIII Adopt Say the
Wise Ones"
By JAMES HAY, j.


met this morning IN the cid Masoaic
Temple. win vote tomorrow afternoon
Il, petition Congress 20 enact into law
a straight civil pension list for the su-
perannuated Government clerks, the ous-
look for prompt action on the subject
by the House and senate Is not bright +
Before taking up the business Of the I
tvTo-day conference, the 100 delegates
from ali parts Of the country TO the con- /
vention were received at the White
House by the President. Who made
them an address assuring them OF his
earnest support OF a movement for the
retirement OF the AGED clerks, both for
their Own sakes ard for the sake OF
efficiency in the Government service.
Down to Business.
Returning 10 the meeting place. the
convention took Up the report OF the
committee on credentials and heard the
OPENING address OF Michael r O'DOn-
oghue. who skstched IN a general way
the objects OF the meeting and i'm
pressed on his hearers the Importance
OF getting 70 work 20 secure prompt
action from Congress
Persons in Washington in close touch
with the situation are positive in their
declarations that the only plan which
Congress- can be persuaded 70 consid-
or for the retirement OF aged clerks IS
a contrlbutory scheme whereby each
clerk sets aside in fixed suns the money
which eventually VIII be used as his or
her annuity after reaching the age OF
retirement Therefore. the prediction
that TIE convention -ow II session wiz
vote for straight clva pensions has been
received zzffh alarm by those who know
that the Administration favors the con
trihutory plan and is not favorably dis
posed toward the straight civil pen
sions-
Considered Significant.
In this connection. a significant utter
ancs IA the Presidents speech this
morning was as follows.
Il believe from tho showing made that
a coutrlbutory system would be con
sIderabIy less burdens0ue 20 the Gov
eminent IN the end, and il may perhaps
be wise 10 unite what IS really a kind
o. life Insurance with the partial con-
tr.sution by the Government TO the
fund out OF which the payments are 20
be made. so that when the person leaves
the service under any condition he shall
stIIl have retained some interest IN IL"
The convention viii not vote until
tomorrow afternoon on whether il shall
ask for the straight civil pension list or
she conlributory plan
The Presidents address 20 the dele
gates was as follows
Presidents Address.
Gentlemen:
You are rather d formidable gather
ing I am glad 70 note the interest IN
the subjsct Of civil pensions and retire
meut Il seems 10 attract attention
enough by those IN the service 70 war
rant the hope that somebody who has
the power-I mean Congress-wiu have
their attention directed toward this sub
ject matter
I suppose you have been considering
at seine length the details Of the propo-
sition which is 10 bring about some
means Of retiring those who are aged
in the service so as 10 aid the service
by their retirement and so as to make
il possible in a way consistent with
humanity to-reIieve them from the pub
lie service Now. whether that shall be
by direct pension or BY a ContribUtOry
system is a question rather more for
experts than for one who occupies the
position that I de- but some system
must be evolved even II il carry the
greater expense OF pension system.
II believe from the showing made that
a COnTibutOry system would be con-
siderably less burGeusOme TO the Gov
eminent in the end. and Il may perhaps
bs wise To unite WHIT IS really a kind
of life insurance with the partial con
trbutiSn by the Government TO the
fund out Of which the payments are 10
% made, 50 that when ia person
Z leaves the service under any condition
l he shall stiu have retained some interest
/ IN IL
Proper Service
Something must be done In order 70
/ enable the Csvernment-and that Is the
standard from which approsc Oh Ito
/ carry on an efficient public serV ice. and
I TO do the Just thing 10 the public in
/ securing from each individual that ser
vice which the public is entitled to
have for the compensation paid other
countries have IT. Great corporations
arr adopting such a system They are
B usually regarded as SOuIeSSs and there
Z fore We may very well say that the
I motive which has led them into the
{ adoption Of such system Is a motive
Z prompted by desire 10 improve the
3 efficiency and the acreage efficiency Of
. their employees With that result there
/ IS no reason why the Government should
I not have a similar system and get the
/ same benefit
Il assume you have passed resolutions
] and that the result of your labor will
/ be transmitted 10 Congress I have done
Z all I can in making my recoF1menda-
J lions. but I shall still retain interest
/ IN the matter. and in so far as I prop
I eriv can, shall take measures TO fnflu-
encc the members Of CONGRESS IN favor
Of some such system II IS matter
Z that Congress has 70 be educated in
/ There are other things in which Con
er~ss has TO he educated. II IS natural
= go i should be So They come here
and .ftefr minds are directed toward the
/, -a--r...'fv necessities OF the Govern