The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-17

write to them, and get all the influence
they could bring to bear TO urge Con-
gress to do them justice.
Mr.. Charles J. Bell, in a brief speech,
said that If pensions were rightly granted
TO the army and navy, they should also
be granted 20 the civil servants, whose
work In peace was as necessary 10 the
government as that Of the soldiers and
sailors.
Yerkes' Personal Experiences.
Hon. John W. Yerkes gave his personal
experience as Commissioner of Internal
Revenue, and declared that any man who
could earn 81 500 a year as government
clerk could earn much more outside Of
the service. He said that every other
nation took care Of its superannuated
servants, and, while he had nothing to
say for one method or another of doing
this, he believed that in caring for those
who served II the United States should
be ahead, not behind, other nations.
Mr. Yerxes also thought that the thing
most needed at the present time was a
general raise in salary for the clerks.
and he thought il ought to be a so per
cent raise. He strongly urged upon his
audience that the country was not yet
ready for anything like a straight out
pension.
The following resolutions, adopted by
the association, were read 70 the meeting
and heartily approved. This morning at
10 o'clock they viii be presented to Sena-
for Cummins
Resolutions to Congress-.
Whereas most governments Of civilized nations
have made provision fer retirement Of employees who
have long and faithfully rendered public service.
and the large railroads and ether corporations Of
private business a quasi public character have
provided plans for the retirement and proper recog-
milton Of employees upon their disability in conse-
quenee Of long service and old age;
And whereas the goTernmen. Of the United States
has not inaugurated a plan upon which relisf can
be afforded Fortunately, however a BIZ Is now
pending in Congress having this object in view.
which has the support OF the President Of the
United States. the members Of his Cabinet and
others n official life
And whereas employees have been In The past re-
moved from public service after honestly and cana
bly, performing tasks imposed upon them and ne
Gently have been snmarily dismissed. thus infict-
ing great hardship;
And whereas a large number have attained the
Rga Of seventy OF more years after spending twenty
five and even forty years IN the public service now
infrm Of course, IN many respects unable ade-
QuAISiF 70 lAlluiu IucL 0uIl65. Duh uefeTfl2lCsS
receiFng the salary stipulated when they were
young and capable Of rendering satisfactory service
thus mourning not ouly great useless expense but
impairing governmental bpsiness. Justice and a
humanitarian feeling very properly prevents the
heads Of the various departments and chiefs Of
bureaus from dismissing such employees IT, how
ever. this could be done, after adequate provision
bad been made for them By proper recognition Of
services rendered and assistance given to those In
eapacated their places could be filed hg men and
women. young and capable.
Therefore be It resolved That approval Is hereby
giTel 70 az organization OF association which has
been formed, TO be known as the Association Of
Citizens in Behalf Of the Interests Of Federal and
District Employees" pledged TO promote the mutual
interests OF tbs United States government and its
employees.
Not for the purpose o. recommending any radical
action on the part a the government or on the
psr Of its employees. but 70 assist IN the accom-
plishBent Il possible, ct desirable results, with a
firm purpose q presenting TO Congress and the peo-
pie Of country the Importance and real necessity
which exists for the adoption bg Congress Of some
permanent plan OF system. afording immediate and
future relief whereby the best interests Of the gov
er1rnsnt and is employees can Be properly sstsb-
nsAsds