The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-25
Letters Protesting Auditor
Chances System Sent to
Representatives.
PITIFUL PLEA MADE
FOR SUPERANNUATED
Action Is Taken BY Government
Clerks Committee Text
Made Public.

Pleading that the system proposed By
Merritt O. Chance, auditor for the
Postofnce Department, means the loss
OF position and deprivation for many
old Government clerks, veterans of from
twenty-five 10 forty years service, the
Government Clerks committee" is
sending 10 every Republican ReprCsen-
tative an open letter asking aid for the
departmental employees who may be in
volved.
This letter. made public today, is
cOuched in deSpairing terms, and II
forecasts the wholesale discharge OF
clerks who now have arrived at such
an age in life that they can find moth
ing else to do The almshouse. Re
publican Representative are told.
awaits some of those who are marked
for dismissal.
IL is alleged that Mr. Chance. as
chairman Of the Treasury Department
Investigating committee, is opposed to
the retention Of superannuated clerks
The battle-scarred veteran, the letter
from the clerks committee says, Is 70
receive no consideration for service to
his country upon battlefield, and in its
clerical department.
Committees Appeal.
The appeal TO the members Of Con
gress reads:
Dear Sir:
we. departmental clerks, appeal to
you for protection against the Chance
system, which spells loss Of position
and deprivation for many Of us. N. ..
Chance. auditor for the PostOffice De-
partment, is bent on a wholesale re-
ductiOn Of clerks who have given all
the best years Of their life to the
Government Not being content with
exercising his authority and power to
dismiss many old clerks in his own
bureau, through the recommendation
OF smaller appropriation, he has
worked himself into the chairman
snip OF the treasury department Spe-
Ctal Investigating committee for the
oStensiblc purpose Of reforming de-
partmental methods. though in real
ity to secure the dismissal Of old
clerks.
Mr.. Chances one aim, as he has
expressed himself. is 10 rid the de-
partment of old clerks Every one
armed. one-legEed. or battle-scarred
veteran in the department invites his
envy The men who fought 10 pre-
serve the country that now gives him
tChance) employment are marked for
decapitation. Old clerks whose long.
honest service to the Government
IN any other business, or securing
employment elsewhere. are marked
for dismissal.
Democrats Retained.
''Tn his own office not a single Demo-
crat was slated To 90 when he recon-
Inended wholesale dismissal for last
July. But Republicans especially are
considered by him as superannuated. Mr.
Chance entered the service as a Demo
crat. He has never been anything but
Democrat since. If Mr. Chances
ideas prevail the next appropriation for
the Treasury Department alone will
provide for the dropping Of not less
than 500 old employees, and these. in So
far as he can dictate will he selected
from the ranks Of the old soldiers who
once offered their lives in defense of
their country, Of old clerks who have
given from twenty-five TO forty years
service TO the Government at ueager
salaries. and men and women who have
either been voters to maintain ReDua-
lean principles or who are the wives
sisters, or daughters of old soldiers
We appeal 10 you as a Congressman
concerned in the welfare of your con-
stituents. and your party, 10 protect rs
against the designs Of Auditor Chance
II you fail us. the almshOUse must be.
and that soon, the finality Of many an
old clerk who fought for or has served
well his country We hope and prav
that YOU Will not fOrsake US in this our
hour Of need. Respectfully,
GOVERNMENT CLERKS COMMIT
TEE"