Evening star., 1912-07-07
PLANKS RECEIVE OK.
Both Party Platforms Pledge
Aid to Clerks.
ADVANCED GROUND. TAKEN
Committee of 100 Sees Distinct Gain
for Government Employees.
PROMISES ARE REVIEWED
All in Civil Service Should Welcome
Declarations and Give Support,
It Is Declared.
ADVANCED GROUND. TAKEN
PROMISES ARE REVIEWED

Declarations in the, latforms of both the
republican and democratic parties, re-
Gently adopted at the national conve1-
tions. are the subject of discussion in the
latest statement of the committee of 1oo
which is working for civil service re-
tirement system. The statement, which
was issued last night. says:
Both political parties in their national
conventions. just held, took advanced
ground in favor of the just claim of fed
eral employees in the civil service for re-
lief at the hands of Congress.
THE national republican platform says:
Z" We favor legislation to make possible
the equitable retirement of disabled and
superannuated members of the civil serv-
ice, in order that a higher standard of
efficiency may be maintained
first Declaration.
This is the first declaration made by
any political party in the United States
in favor of a civil service pension. The
reason given is the only reason which
would justify any such legislation. and
that is the maintenance of higher
standard of efficiency in the service I'm
less IL can be shown that a retirement
system will promote efficiency in the
service, there is no possibility of procur-
ing legislation which will put such sys-
tenn into operation
Civil pensions will not be granted from
motives of charity or philanthropy. The
experience, however, of the large INDUS
trial corporations in the United States
which have tried such system Is that IT
pays In actual dollars and cents. be-
cause it does promote efficiency and
works for economy.
No Preference Voiced.
NO preference is expressed in this
plank of the republican platform as be-
tween the various retirement systems that
have been, proposed. That is a matter
which Congress will have to decide. All
that Is asked for is legislation to make
possible the equitable retirement of dis
abled and superannuated members of the
civil service, and approximation is recog-
nized equally with disability as just
ground for retirement.
This plank must be recognized by
every employe in the civil service as
just reason for congratulatiOn. 1t pledges
the party to fair and equitable retire
ment system for government employees.
Democratic Plank.
THE plank in fhe national democratic
platform pertaining to the civil service is
as follows:
ne law tHe CIVIL SeTV-
ice should be honestly. and rigidly en-
forced % the end that. merit and ability
shall be- tie standard of appointment and
promotion. rather than. service rendered
to political party. and we favor a reor-
ganization<of the civil service. with ade-
Quate compensation commensurate with
the class of work performed for all Of
hcers and employees; We also favor the
extensiQA@ to- AL sxclasses of civil service
employsaOf the benefits of the provisions
Of the employers liability law, we also
recognise the right of direct petition to
Congress- by employees for the redress of
grievances
This declaration is a distinct gain for
the civil service ,lnploye of the govern
ment- IL declares that merit and ability
promotious II all promotions in the
civil service were determined by ability,
and not by favor. civil service employees
would be a much more contented and a
happier lot of people.
1.-THE declaration favoring reorganiza-
ton of the civil service. with adequate
compensation commensurate with the
class of work performed, would if carried
into effect prove a great blessing to hum
dreds of underpaid government employees.
Would Be Beneficial.
The extension of the provisions of the
employers liability law to all classes of
civil service employees is a provison
whose adoption would prove most bene-
hcial. The right of direct petition to Con-
gress by employees for the redress of
grievances is a right which should never
have been denied them.
These two planks complement each
other and do not contain a single declara-
tion which will not have the unqualified
support of every honest friend of the
civil service. Both planks will be welcom-
ed heartily by every faithful employe of
the government"