The Washington times., 1911-01-25
REPRESENTATIVE GILLETT
ON CIVIL SERVICE.

Representative Gillett of Massachu-
setts forced the House to listen to him
yesterday, while he told it the truth
about conditions in the Government
civil service establishment. The Massa-
chusetts Congressman has for years
made study of these matters, and
none is better equipped to state the
facts
As chairman of the Committee on Re
form in the Civil Service he has taken
his duties seriously. He has believed
that his committee would not have an
existence if it were not intended to do
something justifying that existence.
He has been a hard worker and a
systematic student of the questions in
vOlved, and the speech which he made
last evening, published elsewhere in
this paper, is the most authoritative
pronouncement vet made on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Gillett's plan of contributory
pensions has not been popular with the
civil service people. They prefer, for
much the greater part, either a
straight out civil pension or none ut
all; the vast majority of them I'M
questionably prefer to have a reason
able increase of salaries, at least as
an accompaniment to the establishment
OF any contributory pension scheme.
Mr.. Gillett, however, must be ac-
cepted as a sincere friend of the clerks,
and the man who in the present june
ture is better situated to do them
some real service, than anybody else.
There can hardly be serious dissent on
the proposition that his recIassifcation
plan would 60 long way to bettering
affairs.
There are two GilIett bills before
the House, and their author is show
ing a cOmmendabIe disposition to fight
for some rights in connection with their
consideration. All other differences
may we'll be laid aside, when there is
n chance to get consideration of the
whole subject, and such illumination
as Mr.. Gillett can provide. That be-
ing granted, the ultimate decision of
Congress may well be CHANGED. If it'll
is decided finally to reclassify the
service in the fashion that one Giliett
bill proposes it will be long step
in the right direction. If it concludes
also to establish a contributory pen
sion plan, it will be compelled to give
al advance in salaries, and if the plan
works no better than employees gener-
ally believe it will do, then it will in
time be reorganized and put OH a
better basis.
In any event. the thing needed right
now is to get Congress to consider the
facts; to famiIarize itself with con-
ditions; to understand that there is Il
very real and grave situation that de-
mands reform; to admit that the
clerks deserve some attention, and
that the lamentable condition of Gov
rnment business demands it.
Mr.. Gillett showed that, on the best
actuarial calculations, his pension and
retirement plan would cost $l,O29,OO0 !
the first year it should be in opera
ton. That might sound like reckless |
extravaganza to House which the /
other day merrily voted out $45,OOO,0OO
of additional pensions for the veteran
soldiers, a large part of the amount
destined to the pockets of people who
have no real need for it. But it does
not sound reckless or wasteful to |
people who will follow Mr.. Gillett in
his argument. He shows next that,
while the first-year cost of this plan
would be 81 yO29,OO the first year saw
ing in increased efficiency by reason