The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-07
CIVIL SERVICE
PLAhKs PRAISED.
Political Parties Take Advanced
Ground for Benefit Of CLASSIFIED
Government Employees.
WOULD INCREASE EFFICIENCY.
By CHARLES DICK.
Director Of Committe, Of On, Hmdr,d

| Director Of Committee Of One Hmdrsa
Both political parties in their National
Conventions took advanced ground in ia
vor Of the just claim Of Federal employees
in the civil service for relief at the hands
Of Congress.
The National Republican platform says:
I'VE favor legislation to make possible
the equitable retirement Of disabled and
superannuated members Of the civil serv-
ice in order that = higher standard OF
efficiency may be maintained"
This is the first declaration made by
any political party in the United States
In favor of civil service pensions The
reason given is the onlys reason which
would justify any such legislation. and
that is the maintenance of a higher stand
ard of efficiency in the service. Unless
1t can be shown that a retirement system
will promote efficiency in the service, there
is no possibility of procuring legislation I
which will put such a system into opera /;
ton. Civil pensions will not be granted
from motives of charity or philanthropy. I
The experience. however. OF the large in
dustrial corporations in the United States
which have tried such a system. is that
il pays in actual dollars and cents be-
cause it does promote efficiency and works
for economy.
No Preference Expressed.
No preference Is expressed in this plank
of the Republican platform as between
the various retirement systems that haye
been proposed. That is a matter which
Congress will have to decide.
The plank in the Democratic national
platform pertaining to the civil service
is as follows:
The law pertaining to the civil serv-
ice should be honestly and rigidly en-
forced to the end that merit and ability
shall be the standard Of appointment and
promotion. rather than service rendered
to political party: and We favor re-
organization Of the civil service, with
adequate compensation commensurate
with the class of work performed for all
ofncers and employers; We also favor the
extension TO all classes OF civil service
employees Of the benefits OF the provi-
sions of the employers liability law: We
also recognize the right of direct petit
ton to Congress by employees for the
redress of grievances"
Would Prove Blessing.
This declaration is a distinct gain for
the civil service employees of the gov
ernment II declares that merit and
ability shall be the standard of appoint
ment and promotion. II all promotions
in the civil service were determined by
ability and not by favor. civil service
employees would be a much more content
ed and happier lot Of people.
The declaration favoring reorganization
CT the civil service. with adeQuate COM
rensatioh commensurate with the class
Of work performed, would, II carried into
enect, prove a great blessing to hun
dreds Of underpaid government employees.
The extension of the provisions of the
employers liability law to all classes of
CIVIL service employees is a provision
the adoption of which would prove most
beneficial. The right Of direct petition
tn Congress by employees for the redress
% grievances is a right which should
never have been denied them. v
These two planks complement eaSh
other and do not contain a single decla-
ration which will not have the unQuali-
fed support of every honest friend Of
the civil service. Both planks Will be
welcomed heartily by every faithful en-
ploye OF the government.