The Washington times., 1911-11-18
DICK SEES BRIGHT
PROSPECT FOR PAY
AND PENSION MOVES
Former Senator Reports
Progress at Meeting of
Committee of 2l."


.nent of civil service salaries, and the
retirement of superannuated employees
on a pension, at the coming session
are exceedingly bright, reported former
Senator Dick, director of the big ed,i-
cational campaign, at a meeting Of
The Committee Of Twenty-one,' in
the Colorado building last night.
President Taft no doubt will urge
legislation to this end in mis- annual
message, 1t Is expected, Director Dick
declaring that he was hopeful for such
action. However, II is known from
, other sources that the President Will
call the attention Of Congress to the
urgency of some equitable retirement
policy at an early date.
A majority OF the members of the
Cabinet Are In favor both proposals.
There Is a division of opinion as ~
The proper plan. few being converted
to; the contributory retirement form,
while others recommend the straight
pension principle, In interviews given
to The Washington Times several
/ months ago Cabinet members admitted
the necessity of early action. Director
Dick announced to the committee that
he. too. had interviewed the Cabinet
members and had their ideas in writing.
To publish Booklet.
Most important of the business trans
acted last night was the determination
to make another assessment of 10 per
cent ON the 1000 subscribed by Wash
fngton interests to promote the prora-
ganda to increase salaries Of The clerks
and to provide retirement plan for
the aged, the additional money to De
used in the compilation Of a booklet con-
tanning the argument emphasizing inn
mediate action on the part of Congress.
The booklets will be placed in the
hands of members of Congress and oti.-
ers who will be instrumental in helping
along the movement.
In connection with the assessment of
the present subscribers to the promo
aun fund it was decided to increase the
amount of subscriptions to $4,000, the
mark originally announced by the COM
m1ttee. To this end Isaac Cans, chair
man OF the finance committee. asserted
that this organization would renew the
actVe canvas among the business men
and other ilNerests. His committee
J. Louis Willige. Wilton J. Lambert. d.
]. Kaufman and Hugh Harvey,
Director Dick made detailed report
hundred" which in reality now consists
OF ll6 men, representing every State in
the Union. The function of the mem-
bers Of this committee. he declared, Will
be to write letters to their Congress-
men and also INSPIRE others to do The
same thing. He stated that he had ra-
ceived hundreds of letttrs from men in
sentiment seems to be In favor of aiding
the movement launched by the WASH
ington business men. "
..... National In Scope.
Stress was laid on the fact, however,
that the campaign Is national in scope
and that the promotion of the propa-
ganda Is on this principle. 1t was en-
phatically denied that Washington busi-
ness men have a selfish interest In the
crusade, d. ]. Kaufman and Isaac Cans
asserting that the salaries paid by their
houses was above the average received
by the Government employe.
II developed that Senator Jones of
Washington is taking an active interest
in the cause, and has written letters to
Washington business concerns asking
FOR data and information relative to the
salaries paid persons outside the Cow
ernment service. He also is inyestigat-
Ing the high cost of living in the Dis
:rct. with view Of using the informa-
tlon In the debate on prospective sal
ary increase and retirement bills in Con-
gress.
The report of Director Dick was to
the effect that he has collected a great
mass of data on the retirement plans
IN vogue in other countries and used by
large industrial corporations, such as
the pennsylvania railroad and the Steel
trust. He also has prepared a synopsis
OF all legislation ever proposed or
enacted in Congress, and will present
this information to Congressman as a
Members of the committee agreed
with Director Dick that the organization
should not attempt to recommend to
congress any particular type of retire
ment ih plan, put rather should leave
It was pointed out that any. efforts to
urge special form Of pension would
be sure to meet with the disapproval of
Snd among ba both in Congress
ostional," said Director Dick. I'VE
should not presume to dictate or even
want, but should leave that to the
sounder judgment and experience of
me department heads.
General Demands.
ours should be a broad and general
demand for a readjustment of salaries
and a reasonable retirement system for
the superannuated.
Il am sure that Congress is alert to
the fact that recommendations of the
Cabinet members for plan of retire
ment are based on sound business prin-
clples ana the prospects for the enact
ment of legislation are exceedingly
bright"
p, B. Chase, chairman of the COM
ntttee, and donor of the first s., 600 to
the promotion fund, made an empha tic
speech in calling the meeting to order
and repledged his support to the cause,
and asked that others present reiterate
their pledge He said the work of the
committee will never be completed until
the President has signed a bill for re-
adjustment of salaries and some sort OF
pension.
The committee announced by Director
Milton E. Allies banker. Washing
ton; w. H. Andrews. formerly Dele
gate from New Mexico, Albuqueroue;
John M. Allen. formerly Congress
man. Tupelo, Miss; William S. Ben
net. New York city: c. M. Barnes
former governor, Guthrie Okla: 70. !
Burkett Lincoln, Neb.; M. G. BuIkeIey
Hartford, Conn: E. c. Burleigh form
erly Congressman, Augusta, Me.
George Bartlett. Tonopah, New: r. b
Brown, GAINESVILLE. Ohio: Robert b
Brown. lawyer Washington: j. N
Breneman, Richmond Va: Ashman N
Brown. Washington: George II Bahrs
San Francisco. Cal; Robert II. Bry-
son. Indianapolis Ind.
"a Chase Wash In ufnn.