Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-24
District Auditor Discusses Po-
lice and Firemen'S Bill.
BELIEVED A MAKESHIFT
Will Be Satisfactory Only Few
Years, He Says.
URGES ADEQUATE
SYSTEM
Thinks That Congress Should An
nually Appropriate Enough for
ALI Claims.

Although the police and firemens pen
which is to go to conference. will. it is
estimated. give the District approximately
$3.50 over it's pension liabilities. it is
understood that certain District officials
believe LAT the proposed legislation is
wrong in principle and that it will prove
to be only makeshift measure.
District Auditor Alonzo Tweedale today
said that the expected excess with which
to meet deficiencies may be available for
no longer a period than six or seven
years, and that by that time. in all pro-
liability, the District will occupy the same
position that it does today with respect
to discharging it's pension liabilities
The auditor bases this belief on the
fact that police court fines-one OF the
principal sources from which the pen
sion fund Springs-are expected to show
reductions from year to year. while the
amount carried in the pension roll con-
stantly will be increasing.
Cites Districts Need.
What is needed said Mr.. Tweedale,
lis an indefinite appropriation by Con-
gress each year for discharging the PEN
sion claims. This is the only equitable
and practical way of meeting the sit
uation. Payment of the police and fire
mems pensions should be regarded as an
obligation to be met by the District as
other obligations are met. 1t should not
be considered a gratuity.
IF Congress should appropriate an in
definite amount each year sufficient to
meet the pension payments 1t could limit
the benefits to be received by pensioners
and Under what conditions. 1t could re-
quire an annual report dealing with the
disbursement Of the appropriation, and
treat the whole subject in a busineSslike
way"
The pension bill, as passed by the Sen
ate, provides for the retirement fund 2
per cent reductions from the salaries of
members of the police and fire depart
ments, instead of 11a per cent reduc-
tions, as proposed in the House BILL Also,
it makes available for the fund insurance
licenses.
Funds Made Available.
Officials of the auditors Office, who
have estimated the amount of money
that will be available for discharging
pension claims should the Senate bill be
enacted into law, state that 2 per
cent reduction from the salaries of men,
bers, based on the 1911 rolls. would
amount to $2S.O03.S6, while the insurance
Dog taxes in 1911 amounted to Sd.
115.14, while Police Court fines, dona-
tions, fines imposed on policemen and
firemen and moneys obtained from the
sale of abandoned property during the
year reached the total of $S5,G01. .21. On
the basis of these figures the Senate
bill would make available for discharg-
ing the pension obligations the sum Of
$:23, 12021, whereas the amount of the
pay roll approximately is only $135JOO.
officials Glad Bill Passed.
While District officials generally ex-
press satisfaction over the passage of
the Senate bill. inasmuch as the meas
ure should it become a law, not only
would make it possible to discharge
the pension obligations in full for the
next few years, but would enable the
District to extinguish the present def
icit of more than $4,000 it is the opin-
ion Of Auditor Tweedale that sooner or
later Congress will provide for the pay
ment Of pensions on different basis.
According to the auditor, the per cent
reduction is the same as that required
in a number of cities, but this increase,
together with proceeds from insurance
licenses, will make up a fund which
eventually will be insufficient for meet
ing the pension payments, and probably
at no distant time.