The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-28

more. and there would be no prospect OF
such q civil pension list ever decreasing
in amount. but quite the contrary.
II IS q fact that our Government has
paid out nearly S4.0ooOB,0J since the
civil war in military and naval pensions
which, as 7 understand it. does not 81
cIude the amount paid for ordinary re-
tirementS Of the army, the navy. the
revenue cutter, and the Marine Corps
branches Of the Federal service
The preset pension roll IS costing tho
Government more than $4,000, 600 yearly,
and Il is safe 10 say that the people Of
this country would not favor, nor would
Congress seriously consider the creation
Of q civil pension list such as Is con-
templated by the Goulden bill, with al
Of the possibilities Of abuse which, as
I have stated, are naturally greater I'd
der a republican form Of government
than under any other.
Il has been argued that The most
fOrceful argument in favor OF a stTd1gh n
civil pensic. IS because such q plan
has received the hearty Endorsement OF
more than 10000 Government employees
throughout the United States
I challenge the truthfulness Of this
statement and an prepared to show
that thousands Of employees In every
branch Of the classified civil service are
heartily IN favor OF an equitable con-
tributory plan OF retirement, provided
their salaries can be adjusted with ref
erence to the deductions proposed
More than 1900 employees IN this city
have so registered their preference ID
petitions addressed 70 Congress, and
1900 railway postal clerks and 500 OF
5000 postoffice clerks have adopted rsSO-
Iutions wherein they have expressed
their desire TO leave the matter entirely
to the wisdom and justice Of Congress,
and IN the hands Of the PostOffice De
partment
Opposed to Straight Pension.
The Administration is opposed to the
The National Civil Service Reform
League has registered its protest against
II. and the taxpayers OF the country. to
sayor It, and Il would be pre5udicial, Il
adopted, 10 the best interests Of the en-
ployeE.
The fact that the army and the navy
the revenue cutter. and the Marine
Corps are at present pensiOned or retired
out Of the public funds does not afford
a parallel case, for the reason that the
conditions under which the soldier and
vastly different than those TO which th'
civil employees are subjected.
The soldier and the sailor are comT-sii
ed 20 surrender their personal liberty
and life, If need be at the call OF The
nation They surrender absolutely theil
/ independence and participation IN poliI
cal activity, and agree 70 run great risks
and dangers IN time OF war. and to b
subject to the strictest military dis
cipline, both IN time OF peace as well a
war. But no such requirements are laid
, upon the civil employees
Why Railroads Pension Employees
II has been argued that the Unitet
States Government should create
straight civil pension list, because rail
roads and some other private corpora
/ tons have done 50, It should not b
! forgotten that without exception one o.
]
| the part of railroads IN particular stat
1 that the empiOye has no vested RICH
! IN the pension, and that his dismissal o
/ separation from the service may OcCU
al any time.
Besides railroad corporations ant
other private corporations are organizes
| for profit, and the institution of a pen
sion system is the best kind Of ',Strik