The Washington times., 1912-07-07
PENSIONS TO CIVIL
EMPLOYEES FAVORED
BY BOTH PARTIES
Planks in Chicago and Balti-
more Platform Urge De-
sired Legislation.

Members of the Committee of One
Hundred promoting the interest of the
civil service employees of the Govern
ment announced today that the COM
mittee will endeavor to make action by
| Congress square with the promises of
both the Republican and Democratic
platforms.
A declaration in the Republican plat
form for civil service pensions Is the
first expression of this kind which a
political party has formally made. A
declaration in the Democratic platform
that merit and ability rather than politi-
cal service shall be the standard for
promotions, Is hailed by the Committee
OF One Hundred as the recognition of
| principal which the committee has
earnestly at heart.
Both political parties" says the COM
| mittee in its statement, took advanced
| ground in favor of the just claim Of
Federal employees in the civil service for
relief at the hands of Congress.
Plank In Republican Platform.
"The national Republican platform
says:
I'VE favor legislation to make pos
sible the equitable retirement of dis
the civil service in order that higher
standard of efficiency may be main
tanned
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 a higher
! standard of efficiency in the service.
"Ctvil pensions will not be granted
| from motives of charity or philanthropy.
The experience, however. ofttthe large
/ industrial corporations In the United
States which have tried such a system
is that 1t does pay in actual dollars
and cents, because 1t does promote
efficiency and works for economy
The committees statement calls at
tention to the fact that the platform
declaration does not discriminate be-
establishing pensions, and says it Is for
Congress to decide whether a pension
system shall be upon a contributory
basis or not.
Quotes Democratic Plank.
The statement quotes the Democratic
plank as follows:
The law pertaining to the civil
service should be honestly and rigidly
enforced to the end that merit and
ability shall be the standard of appoint.
ment and promotion, rather than service
rendered TO a political party; and we
favor a reorganization of the civi
service. with adequate compensation
commensurate with the class o.
work performed for all officer.
and employees: we also favor tn,
extension to all classes of civil service
employees of the benefits of the pro
visions Of the employers liability law
we also recognize their right of direc
petition to Congress by employees for the
redress of grievances.
This declaration" says the commit
tee, 'is a distinct gain for the ciN
service employees in that 1t declare.
that merit and ability shall be the
standard of appointment and promotion
II all promotions in the civil servic,
were determined by ability and not b!
favor, employees would be a much NOR,
contented and a happier lot of people.
The declaration for abolition of "th'
gag law" giving the right of direc
petition, is also strongly indorsed b!
the committee.