Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-29
WILL FAVOR CLERKS
Secretary Meyer Likely to
Ask for Higher Pay.
NOT READY TO RECOMMEND
Has Question of Salaries and Retire
ment System Under Consideration.
Committee to Meet.

That one member of the cabinet is alive
to the importance of establishing a re-
tirement system for superannuated gov
eminent clerks in the executive depart
ments, and of granting an increase in the
pay Of the clerks. was demonstrated to-
day. when Secretary Meyer of the navy
was asked how he stood in regard to
these matters.
Il am giving the question of retirement
and increase pay for the civil employees
of the government a close study" said
Secretary Meyer. AT future date | ex-
pect to make recommendation in regard
to it. / have not determined at present
which will be the best course to pursue
in the matter
Although Secretary Meyer refused to
commit himself to any of the plans which
have been suggested for lettering the
conditions of the government clerks, his
statement that he intended to make
recommends tons in regard to the matters
at stake indicates that he believes some
system for the retirement Of the clerks
should be established. AS il is highly
improbable that he will recommend any
reduction in the salaries. it is likely that
he will favor an increase in their pay.
Secretary Meyer was at his office today
after an absence of several months.
Committee Meeting Probable.
The approach of the coming session of
Congress, which will pass upon the mat
ter Of retirement and increased pay for
the government employees, and the grad
ual return to Washington of cabinet Off
GERS and other high officials, has added
life to the campaign in the interests Of
the clerks. 1t is probable that F. B.
Chase chairman of the committee of one
hundred will call meeting of the COM
mittee during the first week in October to
stir up the work of the organization.
Former Senator Dick of Ohio, managing
director of the committee, who has been
in Ohio for the last week. is expected
here Monday. and 1t is understood Will
make a statement in regard to the stu
alton. Senator Dick and his assistants
have been busy arousing interests in all
parts of the country in the night for bet
ter pay and a retirement system for the
government employees. A campaign or
education along these lines will be vigor-
ously prosecuted during the next few
months The aim of the committee is
to interest citizens throughout the coun
try to such an extent that they will call
upon their representatives in Congress to
legislate in favor of the clerks.
Veteran Clerks Comment.
veteran clerk in one of the depart
and at the same time declares that in
his opinion. under the present conditions,
few of the jobs are worth having by men
competent to fill them. He says:
Il cannot but deprecate practice, very
common IN certain quarters, of attempt
ing To disparage the occupation of clerks.
1t is totally at variance with that funda-
mental principle upon which we base our
form of government.
offices should be made an object for
men to strive to deserve, and in their
bestowal should be considered as rewards
of merit 1t might not be prudent in me
to talk were l In quest of popular favor.
hut a sense of justice to the public i'm
Dels me TO the assertion of my fully ma
fured belief that with very few excep-
tiops besides those which are for life. the
offices under our government are really
moi worth contending for, even if worth
holding by persons competent to I'LL them.
Erroneous Public View.
Il know this is not coincldent with the
generally received opinion upon this sub
iect The great value of the Offices and
Tho CREST unworthiness Of the persons
IN them have been fruitful sources of
"a initial and so much harped upon in our
nolitical campaigns that they have be-
come vastly magnitied in the public esti-
nation. and there have never been want
ing men ready to step INTO the offices
whenever any of them chanced TO be, or
Gould no made vacant.