Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-21
Convention Indicates Choice of
Civil Service Pension.
SENTIMENT is ALL ONE WAY
Contributory Method Finds No Ad-
vocates Among Members.
ADDRESS BY MR.. GOULDEN
Retirement Association Hastens
Business, But Hears Mum
Der of Speakers.

Get down to business was the senti-
ment of the convention Of the United
States Civil Service Retirement Associa-
ton at this mornings session. Chating
at delay, the delegates finally sent for the
resolutions committee. which reported
progress and announced that it had re-
affirmed the former declarations of the
organization in favor of a straightout
civil service retirement pension, eliminat-
Ing all consideration of a contributory
plan.
Under pressure Of the call for the regu-
lar order of business, the secretary and
treasurer reported receipts Of $2.20o.S'
between January 16, 1910. and January
20. 1911, and expenditures Of 80 dur
ing the same period, and a balance in
bank of $921.44. The secretary, Edward
J. Cantwell. urged the necessity for
larger funds an opinion in which he was
confirmed by the treasurer. NJ. I. Finnan
Ovation for Representative Goulden.
Representative Joseph A. Goulden Of
New York, author of the bill pending be-
fore Congress that has the general in
dorsement of the organization. was the
orator of the morning, and announced
that the work for civil service retire
ment, which he would lay down owing
to his retirement from Congress. would
be taken up by Representative-elect Pat
ton of New York.
Mr. Goulden was given great ovation
What's the matter with Goulden? He's
all right Why? Because" was the
sentiment that greeted him when he as
cended the platform at G. A. X. hail.
where the sessions Of the conventions are
,>lI ,lc-x fol fhroa cheers
and again three cheers.
Mr.. Goulden expected to be at home In
the house of his friends, he said lie
told of his conversion to the cause or
straightout pension. Two years. ago, ne
admitted he was an advocate Of the
contributory plan, but had become con-
vinced that it would not work.
The contributory plan, he said, would
have been all right il salaries of govern
ment employees were Increased SO as to
permit Of deductions for a contributory
pension. There is no such hope, he de-
clared.
Attitude of Congress.
He reviewed attempts to persuade Con-
gress of the justice Of the plan for the
automatic increase of salaries according
to classified grades. The attitude of
Congress toward such legislation he said,
had convinced him of the hopelessness of
Increased compensation, and had brought
him to the conclusion that the only pros
pect Of success was in straightout
pension plan.
Many congressman are asking for copies
of the bill for civil service retirement"
he declared. and are asking for ex-
PLANTATION of its purposes. l am con-
vinced that today if there should be
full attendance we would carry the re-
urement bill by substantial majority
Of the House of Representatives.
He congratulated the convention upon
the success of its deliberations, and ex-
pressed hope of the attainment Of the
rights due 10 the government employe. A
rising vote of thanks was given to MIR.
Goulden
Other speakers of the convention were
delegates Among them were Assistant
Postmaster Hill of the Trenton, n. j.,
post office; Vereker Ross, chairman of
the Veteran Association of Postal EN-
ployes of New York city: L. J. Hopkins
of Cortland, n. Y, president OF the
New York state branch of the United
National Association Of Post Office
Clerks; Ralph \. Weiss of the Philadel-
phia navy yard, Charles Duffy of Chi
cago, Mr.. Hartjen of the New York navy
yard, T. j. Mctirath OF Omaha, Al iharp,
president Of the Letter Carriers Asso-
citation OF the City of New York, and
Mr.. Murray of New York.
All of One Mind.
All expressed sentiments for straight
out pensions and for free speech in voic-
ing demands of government employees
The patriotic and humanitarian motives
actuating desire for civil service retire
mcnt policy were insisted upon.
Ed Gaynor of New York. chairman of
the committee on rules, raised his voice
in protest against delay in the business
proceedings of the convention. He called
for reports of officers.
The auditing committee, through its
chairman, Charles r. Reed of Colorado,
reported that the accounts of the secre-
tary and treasurer had been examined
and approved The secretary, Ed J.
Cantwell. and Treasurer Finnan followed
with their reports of expenditures and
receipts.
\ message was then sent summoning
the committee on resolutions, in session
elsewhere. In the interim more speeches
We're made
Finally the committee appeared in the
room, and it's chairman, George ]. Kleff-
ne: OF Omaha Neb., reported progress
and the confirmation of the attitude of
the preceding convention. An executive
session followed.
MI. Reilly Denounces Muzzling.
The muzzling Of government employees
and the denial to them of the right of
free speech were denounced by Repre-
sentative-e elect Thomas l.. Reilly of Con-
necticut in a speech before the conven-
tion last night.
T.. j. Cantwell. secretary of the asso-
citation. made Il short address. i'm which
he outlined plans for the future. He
said that the outlook for favorable lesis-
lation at this session of Congress was not
encouraging.
j. J. O'Reilly. editor Of the Chief urged
agitation and education" and announced
| himself in favor of a straight pension,
without compromise
Frank 7. Rogers Of Chicago read an
address delivered by Representative
Goulden in the House of Representatives
committee on the constitution was
appointed as follows: NJ. T. Finnan, I'LL
nois: Thomas J. McGrath, Nebraska: Will
lam r. Curley. Massachusetts; Charles d.
| Duffy, New Jersey; Thomas F. Burke,
| New York; j. II. Layden, Pennsylvania,
and j. w. Sheffe. Maryland.
observation-disclosures Kuffner of Omaha.
| Neb: p. J. Hutchinson of Boston, c. N.
/ Raymond of Harrisburg. J. J. Corcoran of
| Providence. r. L.: Sidney V. Conway of
| Newark. n. j.; J. j. Mcnamara OF Syra-
cuse. n. y; George r. Morgan Of PhiIa-
delphia. G. p. Franciscus of New York.
A