The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-24

Washington, January 2s,-(Special.)- J. Another improvement in the civil service law is about to be written into the stat ute books. It is the so-called annuity scheme" which will, it is believed, give all the employees of Uncle Sam not only absolute security during their working days, but keep them from all fear of want during their life time.
 The plan is not altogether a. new one. It was indorsed by former President Roosevelt, and has just received the in dorsement of President Taft. There is hope that Congress may take favorable action on it this session.
 The civil service law was enacted in 1885, more than a quarter of a century ago. It established order where chaos had reigned. The efficiency of the ser vice was vastly increased by it, and the status of the employe greatly improved. He knows now that he has practically life employment if he does his work we'll
 There are no longer to be found offices under the government where clerical ep- pointments are made in payment of po- litical favors, and the appointees dis missed, after a few months, so that other political workers may be similarly re- warded.
 As an example of the working of the old rule, small office in the postoffice department may be cited the work in which now requires about 20 people. It is | on record as having carried 60 people on its rolls for period of two years be-
 fore the enactment of the civil service law.
 Before the full benefits of the merit system in the government service can be realized, however, a clause must be inserted providing for the retirement of the superanuated The dismissal of the inefficient was naturally provided for, but there is no modification of amendment of the law where inefficiency is the re- suit of old age. Furthermore, that part of the law is not observed, for few ex ecutive officials will dismiss a man whose only fault is advancing years.
 It is believed that superannuation in the government service reaches its high est point in Washington, where one out of every IA employees is more than 65 years of age The conditions are espe- cialy bad in the general land office, the patent office and the treasury depart ment. In these departments there are many workers over 80 years of age, and the sight of so large a portion of the aged and the obviously infirm is likely to leave bad impression on the visitors.
 There are many experts who declare that an employe more than 6o years of age renders only three-quarters service, and thus becomes a great drag upon the entire government service. It is est- mated that the annual cost of the gov ernment of keeping the aged in office rather than filling their places with younger men Is about $4oo,oO0, so far as the District of Columbia is concerned. and about q, zoo GOO for the entire service.
 In this sense the government already maintains a civil pension list more costly and more demoralizing to the efficiency of the service than if 1t established di- rect retirement scheme.
 Legislation has been repeatedly urged on Congress to ameliorate the present conditions. superannuation. and it's evil effects have been assalled by an organ ization known as the Civil Service Re- trement association by the Civil Service Commission and by various department heads. The propaganda has made little progress, however, largely because it lacked a definite program. So many schemes of retirement have been sug- gested that the movement has been un- able to focus on any one of them.
 These plans have been before the House committee on reform in the civil service, but the objection most strongly urged against them is that they have either provided civil pensions or have imposed some form of assessment that proved inequitable. as between different classes of employees.
 The approval of many congressman has been gained, however, for a new plan which has been embodied in the form of bill. 1t was favorably reported to the House by Representative Gillett, chair man of the committee on reform in the civil service, at the last session of Con- gress. The same bill, with some modi- fcations, will be introduced in the Sen ate by Senator Perkins The author of the plan is Herbert D. Brown. who has been engaged in the representation movement for many years
 This plan is founded on the savings bank idea. which provides for retirement on annuities deAved from the savings of government employees. The United States Civil Service Retirement association now has membership of 6,ooo. and is so strong and aggressive that 1t will be great force in securing legislation from Congress.
 A great number of representatives have already expressed themselves in favor of the compulsory separate savings ac- count for all employees. based on slid ing scale percentage of salaries. Actua- Yiea who were engaRed hy n previous