Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-18


mean landlord, l suppose. but, apparent
ly. there is no help for conditions under
the circumstances.
Argument for Pensions.
These losses of positions in the pension
bureau afford the best object lesson pos
sible concerning the necessity of provid-
ing in some way for these old workers in
the government service. not only in my
bureau. but in other branches OF the gov
ernment service. 1t would seem that
some plan ought to be worked out now
to minimize the hardships that are com
ing in the government service TO the
elderly workers.
Back home throughout the coun-
try, there is no sentiment In favor or
a civil service retirement plan. Ihe
people at large throughout the United
States, L am informed, think that such
plan would mean the creation of
favored class. The farmers, for in
stance, do not see why the government
employe should be pensioned in his old
age any more than that the farmer
way of working out the problem. In
New Zealand. l am told. the govern
ment pensions old people. generally,
and this great, strong. rich country
subject, study 1t, and do something.
The older people in government
service ought to be taken care Of. We
have people In the pension bureau who
are in their eighties and some of them
are getting on toward ninety years old.
Next year there will be bigger cut
a larger list of persons to be dropped
from the rolls, as well as larger list
Of persons to be reduced in salaries.
This is coming about automatically in
the pension office.
Pensions Automatically Increase.
Under the law of May II, 1872 all pen
sion claims have been passed. according
to age and service, and the pension GER
tificates issued have been made auto
matte, so that when pensioner arrives
at an older age the amount of the pen
sion is automatically increased. The age
periods are from three to five years
apart and when pensioners come to a
new pensionable age the Increased
amounts Of their pensions allowed under
the increased ages are sent them without
any action on their part and without
necessity for clerical assistance in the
pension Office in handling papers, for no
additional papers are sent in.
Since 1912. therefore. we do not need
as many clerks as formerly. We cannot
possibly use all we have. The number Of
beneficiaries on the rolls, pensioners. is
diminished by death to the extent of
$1,000 annually That is the rate at
also makes less and less work for the
office every year Seven years ago the
pension office had LOO employees exclu-
sive of the disbursing force. Now it has
1.100. Next year the force will be still
further materially reduced.
We are letting out people who have
been excellent workers. persons of high
character and good ability. many of
whom. in the opinion of officials of the
bureau, are troubled with failing powers.
and they are asking for rehearings
Among those not affected, the opinion
is general that the matter has been
handled mercifully and justly.
Knew of Coming Reduction.
that this reduction was coming ever
since the annual estimates were sent
to Congress last October. What would
be done was there set forth. 1t is a
fact that it is a settled governmental
policy to gradually reduce the pension
office force, and because Of that fact l
am anxious to draw attention now to
the much more sweeping reductions
| which will take place next year so that
those who are interested in providing. If
possible, for veterans and other old gov
ernment employees. may see what can be
done for them.
T. F. Dennis, law clerk to Commits
sioner Saltzgaber, said today that he
desired to correct statement printed
yesterday in connection with the reduc-
tions in the pension office by which it
was made to appear that two civil war
veterans were among the dismissed. No
veterans, he said, are on the list.
THE commissioner" Mr.. Dennis said,
has taken great pains to prevent the
removal of employees who might be placed.
in dire circumstances by the loss of
positions.
''In cases where man and wife have
| both been employed in the pension Of
fice one of the two has been removed.
| A similar method has been applied in
cases where a father and son, or ia
! ther and daughter, were both in the
| service"