The Washington herald., 1912-11-16
CLARK RAYORS
PENSION PLAN
Continued from Page one.

he himself would take the bill to the
members who could do the most ef-
fective work in obtaining its passage
in the House. The Speaker was asked
II he had considered any of the sew
eral plans proposed in bills which have
been introduced in the last two sessions.
The question was not answered, as the
Speaker was launched on another phase
of the subject He did not believe there
was any possibility that Congress would
consider the question at the session
which convenes next month.
Mr.. Clark is not IN sympathy with long
tenure for government clerks, in so far
as he believes that long service for the
government nips in the bud many prom
Using careers. He believes young men
particularly should stay in the service
only as long as they would be benefited
by the educational advantages of the
country. after which point they should
return to their homes and strike out for
themselves. Moreover, he believes that
the government service as now consti-
tuted is top heavy and rotten with dead
timber. and that the only humane way to
deal with the situation in the interests Of
efficiency is through a compulsory con-
tributory pension plan.
Fewer Men, More Pay.
But what cannot understand" he re-
marked at one point, lis why some Of
these clerks are not willing to do a little
more work. For Instance, II they are re-
quired to add half hours work to their
regular schedule because OF some unusual
condition, a terrible howl goes up. Now,
take for instance one department Say
we have 1000 clerks in one department.
Why should they be unwilling to do lit
tie more work, have the force cut down
say. to $500, and receive higher pay?'
It was suggested to the Speaker that
the trouble was not that too many clerks
are employed SO much as that in many
departments compensation is not COM
mensurate with the service performed;
that intelligent readjustment OF salaries
would solve many problems of extrava-
gance Mr.. lark indicated that he be-
lieved this to be the case. He also
acquiesced in the suggestion that the
work OF readjustment would best be
accomplished following study OF each
department by a competent authority on
business economy.
The Speaker who. following his de-
termined preconvention fight for the
Democratic nomination. and the weari-
some work in connection with the duties
of the Speakership. launched immedi-
ately into the campaign in support OF
Gov Wilson, was in excellent spirits and
looked the part when he said, Il never
felt better in my life" He appeared
quite as refreshed as though he had
spent the last two months resting in
stead OF making lis speeches in all parts
of the country There was no evidence
in anything he said Of the keen disap-
pointment he felt at the time OF his
defeat in Baltimore.
Optimistic of Future.
Mr.. Clark was decidedly optimistic
about the future of his party. He favors
an extra session to revise the tariff in
conformity with Democratic pledges.
Asked whether he favored a schedule
by schedule revision in preference to a
blanket revision of the tariff, Mr.. Clark
believed the Democrats of the House
will decide upon the former, he himself
indicating no decided preference.
Il am here before the opening of Con-
Eress to help get work ready, for there
is not enough time at a short session to
transact the necessary business prop
erly, he said.
In the language OF Old Casper touch
ing the battle OF Blenheim, Twas a
famous victory and / hope that we
Democrats will so use IL that nobody
will feel moved to PROFOUND to us the
question which little Peterkn asked his
Uncle Casper. But what good came OF 1t
at LAST The uses to which we put our
victory will determine the length of
our lease of power. We made certain
definite promises in order to win. We
ought TO carry them out religiously. l
have no doubt that we will keep faith
with the people. Therefore. 1 am in
favor of an extraordinary session of
Congress, at as early date as
possible after the Inauguration, to
revise the tariff and to do such other
things as appear meet and proper
The country has a right to know what
we intend to do. 1t is the uncertainty
that hurts. But after all is said and
done. whether We will have an extra
ordinary session and when depends en-
tirely on President-eIect Wilson's idea as
to the necessity and desirab'lity thereof.
In travelling through half the States
of the Union l have inquired as to the
condition Of business and have found
II brisk in every line everywhere. OF
course, here and there is found some
incorrigibIe pessimist, who. assuming the
role of Cassandra, predicts hard times
but nobody pays any attention to the
croakers except to laugh at them. The
crop of 1872 is one Of the greatest ever
produced, especially the corn crop, and
agricultural prosperity lies at the root
of all prosperity. Factories are behind
with orders and running overtime. For
instance, Saturday before the election I
was talking to one of my constituents
who manages a great manufacturing
plant and asked him how many men he
was using. He replied: About 1000. We
could use 1000 more IL We could get the
steel and other materials We need
That's a sample of many conversations
Such conditions indicate continued and
increasing prosperity. Calamity howlers
will not be able to precipitate a panic
this time"