The Washington times., 1910-06-08
Favorable Legislation Pre-
dicted Within Next
Two Weeks.
CONTRIBUTORY PLAN
NOW SETTLED UPON
Government viii Save Money,
Say Financial EXperts-Cabinet
Members Enthusiastic.
By JAMES HAY, JR.

By JAMES HAY, JR.
The President and his Cabinet are
confident that they VIII secure from
Congress within the next two weeks
legislation for the retirement OF su-
perannuated Government clerks on
the contributory annuity plan
According to the plans discussed ar
yesterdays meeting OF the Cabinet
and put into written form this after
noon, heads Of the executive depart
meuts viii be given the privilege OF
deciding whether. clerks snail be re-
tired at the age Of seventy years. In
other words, If the members Of the
Cabinet believe that in special in
stances clerks who have reached that
age are stu proficient. they will re-
tain such employees In the service
Administration Theory.
The Administration is proceeding
with the work OF converting Senator'S
and Representative 10 the cOntribu-
tory retirement plan on the theory
that, II the clerks are not given this
provision for their old age, they will
have absolutely nothing TO take care
Of them.
As originally intended. the auuuities
VIII be ~ per cent Of the aggregate
salary that has been receied by each
clerk, provided that such a percentage
is not in any case in excess Of 1000.
In the departments calculations
have been made by financial experts
showing that the Goerument VIII save
money by putting the retirement plan
into effect as the cost Of the anuu-
ities at the outset viii be more than
Offset by the saving in putting into
the service younger clerEs at lower
pay.
Explained by Macveagh.
Secretary Of the Treasury Mac
NeaEh. who in many respects has been
the pioneer in the Cabinet in the re-
tirement movement explained the plan
10 the President and the Cabinet yes
Jerday, and il was received so en-
Enthusiastically that the entire official
family decided TO make every effort to
get the legislation making the plan a
possibility Inquiry today developed
the fact that. for the first time since
the campaign for retirement Of the
clerks began. victory is in sight
II can not be denied that there Is
some measure OF disagreement among
the employees Of the classified service as
10 the desirabIiJy Of the legislation 4
great majority, however, Is on record
as favoring the proposed law.
Protests that have gone TO the mem
bers OF the Cabinet against the con-
uIbuCoTy plan and in favor OF straight
civil pension list have been, and VIII be-
dlsreEaried because OF the general CON
Eicylou that the conrributDry plan VIII
De secured, or, as an alternative. the
clerks viii DE unpr0videl for in any
way upon dismissal rom the service
Assurances were glveS members Of the
i AaDlner today that IL j. OuC of the
question 20 hope 10 put through C5l-
GreSS q straight civil pension plan
These assurances came from prominent
senators and Representative
VIII Begin July I.
II, as the President expects, the legis-
iation IS granted within the next two
weeks, the retirement OF the superan-
nua-ed viii begin July /, and each clerk
retired for old age viii receive as an
annuity llz per cent Of the total amount
Of money he or she has drawn from the
Government since entering the service
This VIII happen. however, with the un-
ders-andins that in no case is an an
nuIty 10 be more than SI.B5g per year.
eSsaFL at the outset. but. as has been
described. the saving in lower salaries
10 new employees, viii n1Sre than make
. 10 -Cr the expense Of the annuities As
t-Tne goes on. appropriations win be less
ard less as the clerks contribute the
SUITS ICr their own sI1nuitieS.
NfAl lu Importance LC the decision
+ OF lnc NaDlneL 10 get The retirement leg
lslauon Immediately. ts the second pian
10 take care Of all those AGED clerks
VINO nave been notified of dismissal for
lneInclency recently- The President and
MS adE ElSerS. needing Ehe earnest pleas
Wlt-h have been made for relief for the
o-c clerks. made I'D their minds TO see
20 II LLaJ none Of the old people be let
OAl Wnen II IS only question of a few
weeks before rle- could retire with an
nuities which would 30 a LONG way 10
support tnerl even IL the sums thus
gwen were not quite enough 10 meet
( al living expenses
As result Of this decision. il was
salG today that all Of the old clerks will
be Kept on the rolls Until the retirement
becomes authorized br law for July ].
Business Mems Plan
Announcement Of the Administration
] plans in regard to the employees in the
classified service comes upon the heels
] Of the news that an association Of busi-
ness men OF Washington has been
formed 10 look after the interests and
welfare Of the aged clerks. II was or
( ganized yesterday afternoon for the
. purpose Of looking after any clerks
who might be dismissed for age and
have no means OF making a livelihood.
II may 90 so far as TO build or rent a
home for the men and women unable
to maintain themselves
The organization was named the Bust
ness Mems Association Of the District,
and Louis P Shoemaker was eiecJeo as
IFS president