The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-01-08
PLEA FOR CLERKS
MADE BY FISH HER
Secretary Of Interior Gives Reasons for the Retirement oil
Federal Employees, Grown Old in the Service Of
Uncle Sam.

Strong plea for a retirement pension
fund for Federal clerks grown old In
t. service Of the Government; recon-
mendation that matters now undet his
department affecting the District be
transferred to the control OF the Com
misioners, and suggestions for changes
In the public land and water power laws,
are features Of the annual report Of
Walter L. Fisher. Secretary Of the In
terror.
Secretary Fisher, who has held the
Interior portfolio less than q year.
| shows wide knowledge Of the AFFAIRS OF
his department.
II earnestly recommend the enact
mint Of legislation authorizing the re-
tirement Of employees, who. after long
and faithful service, are disabled by age
and infirmity. Civil servants OF the
Government. IKE those OF the military
chance OF large gains, the hope of which
is a constant stimulus to men in private
life."
Points Out the Reasons.
The Secretary points out that ICON,
siderations Of humanity and justice"
might be urged against the dismissal OF
employees after years Of service but
I prefer to put the matter on other and
honorable provision for their old age for
selfish grounds" he continues. THE
Government simply cannot afford not to
retire these employees with due and
'In the first place, many able and
energetic men serve the Government at
salaries far below the commercial
standard for like services. They choose
isles their. best and highest ideals OF
personal integrity and professional
achievement. Such men are contin.
ually forced out OF the service by the
themselves and their families before old
age comes upon them. II the Govern
rnent would insure them against this
peril. It could continue to employ them
poration would be compelled to pay.
Every consideration of economy and
sound business policy requires that
their services should be retained OF,
'"rhe loss, taken In the mass. Is irrep-
arabic, for the system operates as a
survival Of the unfittest by continually
drawing of the more energetic and
proportion OF the 1neficieht in the pub
lie service. In the second place. the
Government is paying much II not most
Of the cost of q proper retirement sys-
tenn through the inevitable inefficiency
of the present plan.
mot only are superannuated employees
dropped to and retained In the lower
grades because Of sympathy yielding
to personal or political pressure, but In
the higher grades. from which the rank
and file Of the service inevitably derives
it's spirit and tone, there Is a tendency
| to retain men who have lost the alert
ness ard enthusiasm essential to the
highest efficiency Of their own work.
and still more essential for inspiring in
andNrequiring Of their subordinates such
alertness and enthusiasm.
mot only do they thus fail to make
the positivo contribution to the general
efficiency, OF the service which Is due
from men in their position. but they
have negative effect in the same d.
| rection by blocking the avenues of pro-
| motion and leCitinafes ambition. The
| men below them not only fail to re-
ceive the proper stimulus of precept and
example, but are at the same time de-
prived Of the hope Of promotion which
ought to be the reward of efficient serv-
ice.
"This condition is now becoming ap
parent l. has been delayed by the fact
that the widespread application OF the