The Washington times., 1911-01-02
Civil Service Law
Blamed By Clerk

To the Editor OF The Washington Times:
A condition" exists In the executive
departments in Washington. A large
number of employees have become aged,
and unable to give an equivalent for the
salaries they are receiving. What
caused this condition." During the
thirty years from 1858 to 1888 it did not
exist. In 1888 the civil service law was
enacted, and employees in the depart
ments prior to its passage were not re-
Quired to take a civil service examina-
ton, and quite a number of them are
still in the service. Congress passed
: that law, and Congress and that law are
responsible for the condition that exists
today. Quite large number have been
In the departmental service from twenty
to thirty years, and a few have been in
forty years.
Should Rectify Error.
Now, it is up to Congress to correct
BY legislation the condition" caused by
legislation. Congress should provide for
those now in the civil service, who now
are or may become unable to do days
work for a days pay; and amend the
civil service law so that after the pas
sage of the amendment no one could
remain in the service longer than ten,
fifteen, or twenty years, as Congress
might determine, when they would have
TO take care of themselves, and not be-
come wards of the Government.
Should the head of a department wish
to retain an employe who was an expert
in some certain line, it could be done
by special act of Congress.
This would not establish a permanent
civil pension list, and the departments
would not be clogged with clerks too in
firm to perform the duties, as they are
at this time. The present civil service
law virtually gives life tenure of Of
flee, which should be limited in our
Government to judges of the Supreme
Court.
Against Contributory Plan.
have been a civil service employe of
the Government over twenty years; am
now seventy years old. 1 am not in
favor of asking Congress to pass bill
TO retire aged clerks on the contributory
plan. The idea of this Government
compelling its employees to contribute
from their salaries a fund TO care for
the aged clerks is too ridiculous to con-
sider AS we'll might it compel them
to furnish the funds to dig the Panama
ditch.
am now paying out Of my salary
S1S3.SS per year for Insurance on an en-
dowment plan, to provide for old age
or for my family in case OF my death
and Congress has power, but no right.
TO confiscate a cent of my salary and
pay il to one who would be a ward OF
the Government.
As to the Salaries.
In 1853 members of Congress received
Id Of
their salaries have been increased 20C
per cent while no increase has beer
made for clerks; let them give us an
increase OF 25 per cent, one-eighth as
much as theirs have been increased, and
ALL including their constituents. will be
satisfied. Do this at the present ses-
sion, as the cost of living in Washing
ton is such that the present salaries are
not sufficient to provide decent living
for a clerk.
Let Congress do it's duty. Do now
what it knows to be right and just. In
crease the salaries of civil service EN-
ployes Eliminate the life tenure fea-
ture Of the civil service law, and pro-
vide decent competency for those who
have given their services to the Gov
ernment as long as able to do so, and
have made no provision for their few
remaining years.
In conclusion 1 will add-Do not vote
10 rthe Gillett compulsory contributory
plan which must be a reduction of sal
ary. How can you contribute without
reducing salary by the amount con-
tributed? Remember a few years ago we
had a half hour added to our days
work, and am credibly informed
another GiIlett was the prime mover in
bringing that about. presume the Hon
Mr.. Gillett introduced the present pend
ing bill by request.
YOURS FOR JUSTICE.