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

write TO them, and get all the influence
they could bring 10 bear to urge Con-
gress 10 do them justice.
Mr.. Charles J. Bell, in q brief speech,
said that If pensions were rightly granted
to the army and navy, they should also
be granted to the civil servants. whose
work in peace was as necessary to 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 $500 a year as q 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 10
say for one method or another of doing
this, he believed that in caring for those
who served it the United States should
be ahead, not behind, other nations.
Mr.. Yerkes also thought that the thing
most needed at the present time was
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 10 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 for retirement Of employees who
have long and faithfully rendered public service,
and the large railroads and ether corporations Of a
private business or quasi public character have
provided plans for the retirement and proper gecog
milton Of employees upon their disability 10 conse-
ouencs Of long service and old age;
And whereas the gOyeTpmen. Of the United States
has not inauglTated a plan upon which relief can
be afforded Fortunately, however. blll 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 IN official life;
And whereas employees have been Ia the past re-
moved from public services after honestly and capa-
bly, performing tasks imposed upon them. and
Gently have been sunmarily dismissed thus infict-
ing great hardship;
And whereas a large number have attained the
aga Of serenity more years after spending twenty
five and eTen forty years IN tbs public service now
infTm, Of course; IN many respects unable sds-
quatsly TO perform their duties, but nevertheless
receiving the salary stipulated when they were
young and capable Of rendering satisfactory service
thus mourning not only great useless expense, but
impairing governmental Business. Justice and
humanitarian feeling very properly prevents the
heads Of the various departments and chiefs of
bureaus from dismissing such employees. II, how
ever This could Be done. after adequate provision
had been made for them b. proper recognition Of
services rendered, and asssstancs given 70 those in
eapacitated their places could be flied by men and
women, young and capable
Therefore be 1t resolved. That approval is hereby
given to an organization association which has
been formed to Be- Known as the Association Of
Citizens IN Behalf u the Interests Of Federal aud
District Employees" pledged to promote the mutual
interests Of tbs United States government and its
emplo5es.
Not Cor the purpose Of recommending any radical
action on the part Of the goTernment OF on the
part Of its employee. but 10 assist in the ao0m-
plishment, If possible, of desirable results with
firm purposs Of presenting to Congress and the peo-
pie of our cocntry the Importance and real necessity
which exists FOX the adoption b. Congress Of some
permanent plan OF system. afsording immediate and
future relief, whereby the best interests Of the soF
ernlnent and Is sE4pscys za Be prcrsrIy sstzb
Hs1z6