The Washington times., 1910-06-05

Ing the htgh-Salaried clerks at small
pensions and putting into their places
youngS- and lower paid employees
All the members OF the Cabinet have
taken this view of the matter, and
they have done all they could TO per-
suade their friends in Congress to act
on the plan. But they admitted today
that the outlook for 1t in this session
Is not bright.
In spite OF all that has been said
about wholesale dismisssis OF aged
clerks, the heads of the departments
ccntended today that they do not In
tend TO take such action. and that
they VIII do everything possible to
keep this class OF employees in the
service until the retirement plan is
voted into law by Congress
Petition to Congress.
The petition sent out makes these
statements:
ITO the Congress Of the United States:
The undersigned members of the
civil service, with the permission Of the
heads Of the executive departments, de-
sire to bring the attention OF your hon
orabIe body to the following facts:
The United States has In fits CLASH
fed civil service a body Of public serv-
ants certain Of whom, in the ordinary
course OF life. become superannuated
each year after long service;
The greatest republic on earth 10
practically the only civilized nation
which makes no provision for the re-
tirement Of its superannuated civil en-
ployes;
Retirement systems have been recOg-
nized as Just. reasonable, and economl-
cal, and adopted by many OF the busi-
ness corporations in the United States;
"A commission appointed by tho
President after devoting much time 70
investigation OF the subject, reported IN
favor OF retirement in the classified
civil service.
Principle Held Sound.
The President and his cabinet favor
the principle of retirement as a sound
and economical policy on the part Of
the Government, tending 70 increase the
efficiency OF the civil service
In view OF these facJs, the undersigned
members Of the civil service respectfully
petition your honorable body to enact a
retirement law based on an equitable
contributory plan, such Law 10 provide
for an adequate retiring allowance based
on average salary and length Of service:
and for the return Of contributions. with
interest. TO persons leaving the service
before reaching the age limit or TO their
legal representatives in case Of death.
1T Is apparent from the experience Of
other countries IN granting civil pen
sions payable wholly from the public
funds that such a policy ultimately re-
suiIs III an uHueIpdlQ OlllCLdl IOICcs anu
we believe that the establishment of a
civil pension law in the United States
would tend strongly TO maintain the
present low scale Of salaries existing
Throughout the service, because the pros
pect OF such a pension would be consid-
cred an essential part OF the compensa-
| ton As such pension would only be re-
ceived by the comparatively few en-
plOyes who survive 20 the retiring age
and also remain in the service 70 that
age II would be secured 20 those few Al
the expense Of the great majority OF The
| employees working for less than fun COM
/ pensation on the prospect Of receiving
| a pension they are destined never TO en-
| JOY.
I'VE further petition your honorable
body to enact a uniform reclassihcation
law under which salaries shall be based
upon the character and quality Of work
performed by each employe."