Evening star., 1912-01-20
UNITED SUPPORT PLEDGED
Final Meeting Of Civil Service Re-
tirement Association Today.
OFFICERS FOR ENSUING YEAR
4. w. Mckee Of New York Heads
Organization; NJ. F. opDonoghue
OF Washington, Secretary.

With the adoption Of resolutions and
the annual election OF officers the conven-
uon OF the United States Civil Service Re-
trement Association was concluded this
afternoon at Odd Fellows Hall, 425 7th
street northwest. where the opeaing ses.
sion was held yesterday morning.
oo.',g Following the report OF the nominations
o'clock this afternoon, after the aaeo-
ciation had been in session continuously
since 10 o'clock this morning, the follow
lnE omcers were elected: A. w. Mckee
81 M. new new York president; F. J. Cantwell of
McGrath. Portland, Ore, second vice
president; NJ. p. James, Birmingham.
Ala. third vice president: M. 8. O'Don-
ognue OF Washington, secretary. Execu-
tive committee. George T. Morgan. Phila-
delphia. chairman; Frank r. Rogers. Chi
cago: Pierce NJ. Maher, Connecticut. Ross
G.. Keenan,. Brooklyn: Charles L. Vie
gand, Baltimore; NJ. T. Finnan, Bloom
ington. m. and George Kleffner Of
Straight Pension Plan Indorsed.
In the resolutions adopted by the as
sociation the attitude Of the convention
OF last year in favoring a straight pen
sion plan was indorsed, "recogniztne that
1t Is the practically unanimous voice Of
over 100000 classified civil service EN-.
ployes." The Hamill bill was specifically
indorsed. and the work of the national
officers of the association in the recent
hearing before the house committee on
reform in the civil service was COM
mended
Pension bills other than the Ham;p
measure were denounced. disapprovaI
being expressed, in the language Of the
resolution, of the "Austin and kindred
bills, which contemplate the contributory
plan OF civil pensions, as against our in
terests. and unreasonable measures from
the point Of view Of either the govern.
ment or the employees" Continuing, it is
set forth, 1--WE hereby declare our un-
alterable opposition to the contributory
scheme, and all such measures, as in
fmical to our interests
The statements of William z. Russell
or the New York customs service, before
the House committee on reform in tie
civil service last Thursday, when he said
that service In the government OF the
United States Is worse to me than q term
in prison." as a recommendation in tie
commercial world, were condemned as
untrue and unfounded. the members Of
the association recording themselves as
proud Of their connection with the gov
This latter resolution was introduced
by Thomas Y. Keenan, on behalf of
himself and the other members Of the
Philadelphia delegation. The resolutions
Kenner. James J. Mcnamara, George
j. Lawton, Kendrick c. Hill, 8. w. Con-
molly. Michael F. ODonnell and Thomas
Addresses This Morning.
Representatives Stephen B. Ayres Of
New York. George r. O.Shaunessy Of
Rhode Island and James A. Hamilf OF
New Jersey. the latter the sponsor Of
the bill the association 10 urging on
Congress for enactment. addressed the
convention this morning.
Mr.. Hamill said the convention was
being held at an opportune time. and as
sured the delegates the hearings granted
by the House committee on reform in
the civil service last Wednesday and
Thursday to the advocates Of the straight
pension and contributory plans had great
ly strengthened the cause OF the former.
He said the Austin bill, containing two
provisions-one for contributions and an
other for an increase in salaries OF gov
ernment employes-was sure to fail Of
passage, and that the association had
every reason to feel gratified at the rec
concentrations Of the President in his re-
cent message 10 congress, In Wn1c0 ne
indicated he IL opposed to any measure
not concurring with the views he ex-
pressed as Secretary Of War In 1906 be-
fore the House committee on apprOpfia-
tions. when he said:
Il believe that the business Of the gov.
eminent could be carried on more eco
nomically today IL you paid out Of the
Treasury Of the United States to men
who retired at sixty-five. having had a
good record, three-quarters Of their pay,
and substitute for them active, young
men,
II am strongly convinced that no other
practical solution of the difficulties pre-
sented by the approximation Of civil serv-
ants can be found than that Of a system
Of civil pensions"
Good Prospect of Success.
The speaker pointed out that the
straight pension plan is so economically
sound and humanely just that it cannot
fail of passage ii 1t should reach the
floor of the House.
"Such a just bill will not be stranRled
in the daylight of the House, said Mr..
HamiIl, "but efforts will be made to
smother 1t to death in the darkness Of
the committee room. It is, therefore. to
the committee that your greatest efforts
should now be directed. You are not ask
ing too much-si1nply to have the bill re-
ported to the House and to allow the