davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Curtis Bill Choice
Among Many Clerks

To the Editor of The Washington Times:
l have talked with hundreds of Gov
ernment clerks and have not found one
who wants an assessment retiring
plan. All feel that the Curtis bill is
the most just, humane, and saving to
the Government. 1t would not create d
bureau or appoint clerks at large eX-
pense to look after assessments and in
vest the same.
Most clerks. with salaries paid, cannot
afford even the comforts of life, and if
any are able to stand asseSsments-if
they are clerks with ability to do good
work for the Government-they are quite
as able to invest their earnings to better
advantage for themselves than to have
the money taken away and some one
else paid to see to ii for them.
Many clerks would write, but feel it is
useless, as the disposition seems to be
to get bricks without straw" They
feel bitter because of their money spent
in railroad fare and time given to help
those who deny them justice.
A GOVERNMENT CLERK.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
CONTR|BUTORY PLAN
HELD F|SCATORY
Nothing Short of Extortion,
Declares M.F.O'Donoghue,
of Retirement Body.
By MICHAEL F. O'DoNoGHUE,
President of the United States Civil
Service Retirement Association.

quite the best arguments in favor of
a straight pension have been contained
In the articles urging the contributory
plan of retirement, as they have been
qualified and modified until in the last
analysis it has been plainly evident
that the scheme means real hardship
on the great army of employees.
The very theory of the contributory
plan virtually contemplates confiscatory
methods of extorting large portions
from the low salaries of the employees.
an injustice so brazen in conception
that a private corporation would be liza
BILE to criminal prosecution should it
even attempt such highhanded financ-
ing.
Better Invest Elsewhere.
1t has been ably pointed out that an
employe can use the same money the
Government would extort under the
Gillett bill and invest it in numerous
more profitable ways to protect himself
and family, and that an insurance poll
cy would afford protection to the family
at death. whereas the contributory plan
would afford only the money paid into
the fund.
Thousands of clerks would prefer abb
solutely nothing to the Gillett bill. while
$4,000 are appealing to Congress to
grant a straight pension.
Efficiency in the service would be
promoted to the highest standard IL an
employe were assured that after he had
given his whole working life to the
Government he would be protected.
Thousands of employees would not re-
sign every year, as is the case now.
Should the Gillett bill be passed,
thousands would flee from the oppres-
sion. 1t would not necessarily be re-
sentiment. They would be forced to do
SO, as they could not live on less salary
than they are now getting.
Important Facts.
Summing up the arguments urging a
straight pension, | would ask that the
employees bear in mind these important
facts:
More than 10000 employees favor the
plan.
1t has been satisfactory in England
and Germany for years and years.
Twenty-Five railroads have found
pensions the only successful
Scores of private corporations give
outright pensions with help from their |
employees.
One-third of the municipalities in the
United States provide straight pensions
for firemen, policemen and school teach |
erS. |
A straight pension is just and equita- |
BILE while the cOnfiscatOry contributory |
plan is unjust and unequttable.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
G|LLETT BILL PLAN
CALLED CZAR|SM
Benefits the Government But
Not the Employe, Says
Miss Smith.
By MISS ETHEL M. SMITH,
Bureau of Fisheries.

If the fact has failed of recognition be-
fore, the recent arguments in favor of
| the Gillett bill have clearly revealed
| that this measure was conceived and
| executed from a standpoint wholly diff
| ferent from the interests of the people
most affected by it-that is, the en-
ployes.
1t is the work Of minds that had no
| need to consider its application to them
| selves, its whole object is to solve a
problem for the Government without
expense to the Government. The en-
ploye and his unquestionable claims to
justice and personal liberty are things
quite secondary and merely to be over
ridden If they prove to be obstacles.
If further proof of this be necessary,
it should be borne in mind, as already
pointed out, that the authors and sup
porters of the Gillett bill, while ad-
mitting the necessity for increase of
salaries II hardship to the employees is
to be avoided, have, nevertheless, so
far urged the passage of their measure
to precede the passage OF any measure
for increase of salaries.
There Is, of course, the Gillett re-
classification bill, which is on the pro-
gram with the retirement bill. But this
recIassification bill is another delusion.
1t is secondary to the retirement bill in
any case; but the two bills would re-
suit only in some promotions and IN
crease only in some salaries-the higher
ones. The great number of $500 and
81 900 clerks would not be reached in the
benefits, and their salaries would be
diminished instead, because OF the de-
ductions under the retirement bill
But they tell us to urge the Gillett bill,
lest Congress give us nothing. That
argument misses the point Perhaps we
would rather have nothing than thing
as bad as this Why should we want a
law so utterly ruthless to our private
and personal needs, SO humiliating TO
our seIf-respect and independence?
Paternalism is too mild a word Tor
the sort of thing this bill proposes. 1t
is czarism and oppression.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
CONTRIBUTORY PLAN
CHEAPEST FOR ALL
Government and Employe
Would Benefit, Says
H. D. Brown.
By HERBERT D. BROWN,
Author of the Gillett Bill

1t would be impossible to refute in
such short space the sweeping state
ments of straight pension advocates,
but suffice it to say they are not
founded on history or fact. and all
reference to England's pension plan
has displayed an ignorance of facts or
an intention to misrepresent.
The straight pension plan cost Eng
land $4,000. 900 annually and the civil
service list Is only half as large as
that of the United States. 1t can be
calculated then that the plan would
cost Uncle Sam more than $4,000, 900
and would increase with the growth
of the civil service system.
A contributory plan of retirement
would practically cost the Govern
ment about $1.0OO,000 for fifty years
and then absolutely. nothing aside
from the expense of administering
the retirement fund.
Difference In Cost.
1t is evident, then, that in fifty years
the contributory plan would cost
$50, 100000, whereas a straight pension
would cost during the same period
1,5OO, 100000. A billion and a half dol
lars is large sum when compared to
$50, OO.OOO
Superannuation Is now costing the
Government $1,200,000 a year, and the
urgency OF some kind of retirement
legislation is emphasized. The contribu-
tory plan would eliminate this loss,
whereas a straight pension would in
crease II thirty fold.
1t also must be remembered that the
contributory plan protects the employe
and his family under all conditions, and
II Is not necessary that he should live
to the age of retirement to get the bene-
fit of his savings. No matter how he
becomes separated from the service
death, dismissal, or resigRation-the en- |
ploye gets back all he has paid into the |
Only One Chance.
Under q straight pension system, |
which would mean that much of his |
salary would be held back, the only |
chance an employe has of benefting |
by the plah is to live until the age of !
retirement Only a small per cent of |
the employees lives to reach the age of
seventy years.
Straight pension means that an em- |
plOye will not be paid the salary he Is |
nized as part salary. This was true in |,
England and caused the great discon- |
tent among the employees.
The cOntributory plan embodies all |
the best principles, and is lacking of !
the evils of the retirement systems of !
other countries. 1t is nearer, just and |
equitable than any other scheme, and !
will do the greatest good for the great |
est number.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01

A homs is every mans NATURAL
BIRTHRIGHr.
The Declaration Of Independence, promul-
gated one hundred and thirty-fv years ago.
submitted that all men were born FREE
and Equal.
Times have changed since that historic
period. The congestion Of capital into the
hands Of the few has forced untold mil
lions into wage slavery-with an apparent
hopeless outlook for the future.
The fsrner-the producer-is the One in
dependent man in the world today. He
has a home and a piece Of land upon which
he grows everything necessary for the main
tenance of himself and famiIy-at the
LEAST COST OF PRODUCTION.
The man or woman who owns a home and
a farm-however small-is protected against
PANICS, STRIKES and other forms of in
dustrial disturbances that make the life
of the city toiler more or less precarious
existence.
The high cost of living today is undoubted-
ly caused by LACK OF PRODUCTION of
the necessaries of life. This country is
growing at such an enormous rate that its
farms can not supply the demand for food
stuffs
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Poodle Duck Club
Welcomes New Year

Well into the hours of early morning
today continued the annual New Year
dinner of the Poodle Duck Club, whose
sole object is the assembling once
year of about thirty "drakes' among
Washington's business and professional
men to welcome in the New Year.
Chief Drake Charles E. Berry was
host, giving the dinner at Eckstein s.
and Drake w. c. Long was toastmas-
ter. Among those who spoke or con-
tributed to the entertainment were
brakes George O'Connor. E. ]. Walsh,
Carter Keene, T. c. Noyes, Louis
Dent, and II. l. West J. o. Harvey
was elected chief drake for the next
session.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
DEBATE
IS CLOSED TODAY
Problem of Clerks Covered
Thoroughly From All
Angles.
Continued from First Page.)

see some law passed that would give
relief in old age.
Our work here in the naval gun fac
tory requires the highest skill and ac-
cCracy attainable. 1t takes years of
training and study, and some special
talent is required to be able to do the
accurate and important work connect
ed with the manufacture of the navys
great guns.
We are subjected to rigid discipline
in connection with this work, the mos4
feature of which Is thd/
thought, always uppermost in ou
minds, that If we make the slightes
mistake in the operation of a macIin,
1t either spoils an expensive piece
work OF puts a mark In the work th
is not on the drawing.
When such things occur We are eth
discharged or have our pay reduced.
the man making the mistake Is dis
liked by the officials, he gets the wors
they can give him; but IL the official
like the man II is different, the matte
is smoothed over and they try to foI
get II.
EMPLOYE. l.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Y. w. 6. A. to Receive.

The first reception to be held by the
Young Women's Christian Association
in it's vacation lodge, at Cherrydale,
Va, will take place tomorrow after
noon from . to s O'Clock. Miss Ludema
Sayre, extension secretary, and Miss
Della Grover will be in charge, and
Miss Marian Cox will preside at the
refreshment table. Miss Frances
Chickering will speak on Our Past"
Miss Ella Mellon on Our Present" ="
and Miss Ludema Sayre on Our Fu-
ture."
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
EMPLOYE MUST PAY
FOR HIS RETIREMENT
Straight Pension Means
Lower Wage Scale, Says
DR.. Jordan.
BY DIR. LLEWELLYN JORDAN
Secretary of the United States Civil
Service Retirement Association.


II the statements contained in my ar
ticle based upon my study of civil SER
vice retirement plans of various govern
ments. and particularly the experience
of England, are worthy of serious con-
sideration, they teach US several things.
!. The employe under any system of
governmentally administrated pensions
must pay for his own retirement.
2. If he pays for this retirement prtvi-
lege through the medium of straight
civil pension he does it at the cost of
a lowered wage scale.
8. The experience of England shows
that under its original straight civil pen
sion scheme one person only in seven
actually benefits thereby.
Unless salaries are raised and so ad-
justed as to pay the empolye his full
market wage at all times, in the event
that Congress should pass a bill of the
so-called Goulden type. the inevitable re-
suit would be that such a law would
benefit those persons only who were for
tunate in reaching the age of retirement.
Would Cause Discomfort.
A straight civil pension system would
unquestionably lead to great discomfort
that they were not in theory but in fact
actually paying for their own pensions
through the medium of a lower wage
scale
This discomfort was soon manifested
on the part of the English civil servants,
though it was thought at the time OF the
of the straight civil pension
law of 1853 that the employees would be
entirely satisfied with its provisions.
My attention has been directed to an
editorial in the Postal Record, the Of
ficial organ of the National Association
of City Letter Carriers. which says:
The advocates of the compulsory saw
lnEs plan have confused the minds of
not only the civil service employees, but
many men in public life, by leaving the
inference that England has abandoned
the straight pension which had been in
operation for fifty years, and has
adopted a plan of taking from the sal
aries OF the employees the amount neces-
sary for purchasing annuitieS for the re-
tirement of the employees"
Facts Can Be Obtained.
The actual facts in the case can be
readily obtained by the editor of the
Postal Record If he will study Senate
document go. II he does study this
document and the references made to
various laws therein he will reach the
same conclusion that Herbert D. Brown |
has reached, namely. that the act OF
20. 1863. modifying the straight |
,ivil pension law of England recognized |
the contention OF the employees that |
hey were paying for their own pensions, |
and by the amendment to the law of |
$50 it was changed from a straight civil |
pension system and became IL effect a |
one by making provision for |
4 partial return, at least, of the with |
leld or deferred pay which was consid- |
cred as part of the pension and was |
aiken into account in fixing salaries.
The editor in his article shows that |
civil pensions are costing the English |
more than SIS, 900, 900 annually |
With a civil service just one-half of our
OWN.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Florida

turist. Here in this favored State with
over 300 days Of sunshine during the year
THREE CROPS are raised from the same
soil. Here IS part Of our great country
hitherto neglected, that offers the most
wonderful opportunities for the man Of lin
tied means and inexperience in agricultural
methods.
Florida is over 1000 miles nearer the
great markets of the East than is Cali
fornia, and over 1000 miles nearer the mar
kets of the Middle West On FIVE and
TEN acres OF land men are getting rich
in Florida.
The Suwanee Valley Florida Land Com
pany is now placing on the market Its
third allotment of four hundred 5-1o-2O and
40-acre farms in the beautiful valley of the
Suwanee River at the wonderful price of
s25 per acre-$l.OO per acre down and so
cents an acre per month. Here is land es-
pecially adapted for the growing of all
kinds of vegetables and garden truck
These products come on the market when
the snow is on the ground in the North and
therefore realize the HIGHEST POSSIBLE
MARKET PRICES.
Here in the Suwanee Valley, twelve miles
from the Gulf Coast. is a climate unex-
celled in the entire State; good water and
fertile soil. Through passenger and freight
trains arrive and depart every day, giving
QUICK and CHEAP TRANSPORTATION
to Jacksonville. the market place Of Florida
and the outlet to the markets Of the world.
This Company has prepared a limited
edition Of a very fine book entitled "a NEW
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE"
which will tell you all about Florida in
general-give you information regarding the
products grown in this wonderful State.
tell you how these products are grown
and marketed, and contains q wealth of
information that every man or woman
should have at hand before deciding where
to INVEST IN LAND.
Under the plan of the suwanee Valley
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
FLORIDA CALLS YOU !!

Now 1t is the SOUTH that beckons to the
farmer and truck grower. Here is a sec
ton teeming with wealth, almost untouched
through force Of circumstances. OF all the
States of the South, Florida is the one of
GREATEST PROMISE. Its climate, its
soil, its transportation facilities offer the
greatest field Of endeavor for the agricul-
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
WorShipful Masters Dine.

The arrival OF the New Year was
celebrated by the Worshipful Masters
Association Of the District of Columbia,
Masonic organization, by a banquet
at the New Ehbitt House last night.
About $50 members of the association
were in attendance.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Be A PRODUCER |!

Benjamin Franklin, greatest Of all Amer
leans, said: IF you want a sure living
deal in the necessities Of life"
]. J. Hill. builder of empires. says: This
country needs more farms and more
farmers-more producers of wealth from the
soil''
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Arion Society to Observe

In accordance with custom, a New
Year celebration will be held tonight at
the clubrooms of the Arion Singing So
ciety, at 1905 E street northwest. Re-
freshments will be served. Open house
will be held at the Columbia Turnverein
from until o'clock.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01
Eagles Make Merry.

More than 500 persons attended the
annual ball of the FraternaI Order Of
Eagles, at Sixth and E streets north
west, sIast evening. A banquet fol-
lowed the ball.
The Washington times., 1911-01-01

Florida Land Company you can buy farm
in this favored section at the rate of SH
cents a day. Think OF it, For just few
cents daily you can become the owner Of
a farm that will produce. when properly
cultivated, thousands of dollars per year
revenue. Not only this; you can live in
peace and happiness in the FINEST Gil
MATE IN THE WORLD, with plenty OF
fishing and hunting thrown in.
Hundreds of earnest men and women have
already purchased farms in the Suwanee
Valley. number OF them are right down
there on their land now preparing to culti-
vate their farms. Scores of others contem-
plate going in the near future.
The time for YOU to get in on the great
Florida movement is NOW. We want to
send you this beautiful book. "a NEW
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE"
today. This Is one Of the handsomest books
ever printed on Florida. It Is magnificently
illustrated with nearly a half hundred half
tone illustrations from actual photographs
taken on the land. All you have to do to
get this magnificent book Is to fill out the
information blank below and mail 1t to US
TODAY, and you will receive this book and
all information regarding Florida and the
Suwanee Valley. 1t costs you nothing-IT
is ABSOLUTELY FREE. You don't need
to write letter Just fill out the informa-
tion blank and mail 1t at once.
SUWANEE VALLEY
FLORIDA LAND CO. |
ABA Straus Bldg, Chicago
The Washington times., 1911-01-01

Overland spells not only satisfaction to
dealer and owner, but safe investment
for both.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1911-11-11
Communication
Laid Aside

Last evening The Appeal received
an anonymous communication, the
subject Of which purported to give
or reason why Carson City does not
grow. However meritous a commu-
nication may be VIC cannot pay any
attention TO il unless signed. An
onymous communications will in ev-
cry instance be consigned TO this
waste basket 1t seems strange thai
a person will take interest enough
to send in a communication will al
the same time neglect to sign their
name. not necessarily for publications
but as showing OF good faith. a
peculiar feature OF this cormunica-
ton was that it contained singing
reubke to anonymous letter writers.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1911-11-11
Near Death
in Late Storm

A man was found this afternoon
by the section gang lying on the
Espee Railroad track, near Averill,
unconscious. They supposed he was
dead and at noon today reported So
to the authorities, who went down
and brought him to a hospital II,
was found to be alive and uncon
scious from exposure to the storm
which is now-raging but -hasseEeeaRs
ed sufficiently to tell his story. He
left Carlin last evening intending to
walk to Elko, but become exhausted
and lay down for short rest. when
he remembered nothing more until
he opened his eyes i'll tbs hospital.
His name is Chris Gear and is about
65 years old. He will recover.-Free
Press.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1911-11-11
Prosperity Beam
In Mineral

The Walker Lake Bulletin contains
a general review OF affairs in Mineral
Comfy adm contends that at the
present time the new county Is IN
sight OF general prosperity. The old
camp OF Aurora promises to add a
mineral output to the states credit,
while Candelaria and several Of the
other old sections are being gone
over again with new people III the
lead There is every reason to be
lieve that the new county viii make
good on its name Mineral.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1911-11-11
Subscribe for the Appeal.
SAVED CHILD FROM DEATH

After our child had suffered from
severe bronchial trouble for year.
wrote G.. T. Richardson, os Richard
sons Mills, Alabama, I'VE feared II
had consumption. 1t had a bad cough
All the time. We tried many RENE
dies without avail. and docotr's med
cines seemed rs useless. Finally we
tried DIR. Kings New Discovery. and
are pleased to state that one bottle
effected complete cure, and our
child is again strong and healthy.
For coughs. colds. hoarseness, la
grippe. asthma, Group and sore lungs
it is the most iniallible remedy thai
is made. Price Soc and $i.00. Trial
bottle free. Guaranteed by j. a
Mailer. druggist.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1911-11-11
Swimming Girl
At the Grand

The Grand Theatre continues to
please full house each evening.
Some of the motion pictures show
during the last week have been eX,
cellent and another program Of ex-
exceptional merit is on for this even
ing. The house is comfortable and
warm the machine is the best and
newest in the state This evening
the following will be shown which
is above par;
The Bathing Girl is the headliner,
and she is There some" Annette
Kellerman has a rival in this parti-
cular film, who in the course OF the
delightful little playletN gives an
exhibition for fancy diving and swim
ming that is show in itsef.
10000 Reward will keep you
amused, and every time you think OF
the picture for a week to come, ]
smile will adorn your contenance.
The rest of the program is equally
interesting and you will Aot regret
it il you spend your evening at the
Grand.
Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1911-11-11
Can't Hang
Sentenced Man

1t is possible that Frank Tramner
who is serving lie sentence for
the murder Of Mr. Quilicy at Inlay
last spring may not be tried for the
murder of Mrs Quilici His attor-
ney has filed writ asking for the
discharge of the prisoner from the
second trial, as it is asserted that the
conviction and sentence on the first
case bars the -trial on the second
murder Indictment Should he be
convicted is would be impossible to
hang the man. as he must serve his
life sentence before such an action
could be held 1t is further cited
that he was illegally moved to the
Washoe County jail The attor-
neys for the murder have certainly
sprung surprise on the prosecu
ton.