The Washington herald., 1910-06-20
Doesn't Want to Contribute.


Editor The Washington Herald.
AS the papers contain much matter on
the question of Retiring superannuated
government employees" and as almost all
such matter is from those favoring the
propaganda. I ask space TO say a few
words on the subject.
Silence might seem TO Indicate ac-
quiescence on the part Of the clerks and
on the part of the public This is not
necessarily so. Some employees fear 10
express opinions! some think it not worth
while, and they, as with many more.
think that Congress viii never permit
any civil pension bill to pass. There is
a large. very large number Of employees
who did not sign the petition to Con-
gress; others who signed without know
Ing its purpose, or because persons higher
in position signed; and many signed be-
cause of the clause for reelsssifcation
of positions hoping thereby to get a
raise In salary Furthermore, 1t is be-
iieved that If a petition opposing the
pension proposition had been circulated
with that favoring IT, the one opposing
would have received the greater number
OF signatures.
The petition circulated. which is said
TO be favored by the entire Cabinet. is
signed by some OF them with nodi-
fication TO the signature. as the follow
ing:
Approved for circulation in the War
Department"
I approve the general plan"
4 approve petition"
Circulation in Department of state APP
proved"
There has been no reasonable argument
presented in favor OF this bill. To take
a portion Of the salaries and hold 1t as
a pension fund is not reasonable. Who
of the government employees is willing
to admit his inability TO run his own
business affairs and get more from in
vestment Of his savings than the govern
ment policy can offer him? Who OF the
government employees will admit that
his salary is sufficient much less that
he can stand a reduction IN these piping
times of high living? Is not the prin-
cipal necessity an increase IN salaries
rather than 10 have them reduced? II q
government clerk is not capable of taking
care of himself. is It not an admission
that he is incapable, and therefore not
an advantage to the government? But
| Is the efficiency OF the service the object
IN view, or is II that vacancies will be
created and promotions follow? Does not
only a small per cent reach the age for
retirement. and are not many OF these
| still efficient. and though not all vigor.
Gus, are still capable because OF IA
| miliarity with the work they are re-
| qUired 10 perform? There Is no neees-
sity for diseharging employees because Of
| age. The Osler idea is a m!snomer
| Men are generally more capable and
more valuabie because Of experience.
| Constitutionally the government may
/ not deduct a part OF the pay OF its EN-
| ployes. but this is for the courts should
the bill pass.
! Is it not the hope Of the advocates o.
/ this bill that II will lead 10 q straight
civil pension bill-this deduction OF e por
| ton of the salaries considered as only
a wedge to open the way? Where lie.
| the advantage OF paternalizing our gov
eminent: where is the authority for es
/ tablishing civil pension policy, and one,
| inaugurated. where will II stop; with
/ the $1,000 or more employees In Washing
/ ton with the 1000 or more post-offics
employees over our country; with all th'
| government employees at work In ever!
{
/ Tendencies. and, finally, the widows an,
/ orphans OF these? And then. will II b,
/ justice II provision IS not made to pen
sion every farmer. every mechanic. ever,
/ professional man, every one. everywher
in this great country OF ours?
Does il not follow that because som
other countries and some large corpora
| tons provide some form OF pension sys
TEN for its employees and citizens. on
government should do so? Are they abb
20 show that II has worked advan
ltageously. and il they can show II. vii
ii be a criterion for our government
VIII it follow that what Is sue
cessful in another country is suitabi
for our form OF government?
| Look at the enormous sums now pai
in army and navy pensions.in In
neighborhood of $50 10000 yearly. Out O
whose earnings is this vast sum paid
And from the sweat OF whose brow, an
the toll Of whose hands Will be take
the price of the civil pension, II estab
llshed? Let the people ponder this befor
il is passed. Let Congress ponder IL be
fore rushing a bill through.
| E. r FRAVEL.