The Washington times., 1911-01-13

factory employment in private business.
OF course, this intention is not always
realized: but the fact remains that
many of the best men abandon the
service after few years for the pur-
pose of engaging in private business
which offers them better prospects for
the future. This almost never occurs
among officers of the army or navy,
the civil service If the inducements 20
remain therein were anywhere nearly as
great as that which Is offered by the
military and naval services.
Ought to Have Best.
1T goes without saying that the Gov
ernment ought TO have the very best
men in all branches of its service; but
II is difficult to get such men in the
civil service. and more difficult still 10
keep them, because the ability whtch
makes them valuable in the public ser
vice is sure OF a much more generous
reward in private employment. But
the Government has no difficulty In
keeping its army and navy filled with
officers OF the very highest intellectual
and moral worth, men with qualihca-
tions that are constantly in demand In
civil life at rates of compensation far
greater than those offered by the Gov
ernment. And the same statement may
be made with regard to the judiciary.
Il earnestly recommend the passage
of a measure providing for the retire
ment, by some equitable plan, OF old
and faithful superannuated employees OF
the Government, for the reason that II
would result in marked Improvement In
the service:
First, by attracting a better class OF
employees. a large percentage of whom
by reason of the provision for old age
would remain In and make the service
their career, becoming expert in their
particular line Of work, to the distinct
advantage of the Government; and there
never Ns a time when the highest
qualifications and equipment were more
needed in the service than al present;
Second, by the added incentive held
out to each employe to do his best in
order TO obtain promotion TO higher
grades and later profiting by increased
retired pay.
Third. BY the periodic and automatic
elimination of those whose efficiency
has been impaired by age or infirmity
and the introduction of younger and
more vigorous men. thereby maintaining
an active and efficient working force
and making II possible I'm time to trans
act the business with fewer employees.
Would Improve Service
Fourth, aside from all sentimental
consideration. It is believed that the
service would be greatly improved II 1t
should be known to. all who enter it that
a provision is made for the support or
themselves and their families when old
age comes upon them. 1t would be an
inducement for them not only to remain
IN the service. but to depOrt themselves
in such a manner as to do nothing TO
forfeit so valuable a provision.
Fifth, because in cases of DrOtraCtSd
illness employees worry over the pos
sibility of being discharged, and the
anxiety tends to retard their recovery
and return, whereas if they were free
from this apprehension and felt secure
of being provided for in the event of be-
coming inCapacitated their strength and
courage would be sustained and reCov-
cry assisted rather than impeded.
Sixth. because railroads, corpora
tions, and commercial houses recognize
and reward long and faithful service by
retirement, and regard it as good bust
ness investment, and other governments
also make some provisions for their
d ged and worn-Out civil servants"