The Washington times., 1914-02-16
CIVIL SERVICE
PENSION PLANS
BEFORE CONGRESS
House Committee Begins Hear
ings This Week Preliminary
to Legislative Program.
By JUDSON c. WELLIvER.

With the strong hope that leEisla-
ton may be secured al the hands OF
ne present Congress. establishing IL
system of civil sercice retirement and
] etirement annuities, the House Com
Iuittee on Civil Service will begin
learings this week, preliminary to
formulating a legislative program.
The various bills 3nd rlans for ac-
romplishing tri. big reform in the
civil establishment Of the government
rrony viii be taken. representing all
he views o. the SuhFccs.
Following the hearings before the
committee. which will occupy Friday
and Saturday of this week, tie civil
service organizations OF the city are
flaming q biz rnass meeting fur Sna-
lay next at one Of the theaters, =.
which men OF national position and
Importance will be asked TO discuss
the subject. The humanitarian aspects
~ the question will be urged. and it
10 hoped that President Wilson. lead
ers in Congress. Cabinet members and
minister's of the gospel may be
Lrought together to consider the ques-
lion fro:a this point Of view.
Two General Plans.
TRe recent announcement that Prssi-
dent Wilson is studying the whole prob
IeTn of the civil service from this point
of view. and that two members of the
cabinet are at work on plans for re-
-irement and annuity systems, has Civ
en- impetus and new confidence TO the
Efforts OF the civil service organizations.
There are two general plans for ere
atlnG funds to make up the retirement
ray Of aged employees of the Govern
iuent. One is based on the cooperation
e the Government and the body of
,nnloyes, in making up the fund part
. from contributions of employees.
7,lrtly from the Federal Treasury.
The other plan involves straight
s.rvice annuity, the funds to be entire
tween theSe two there will doubtless
he a long debate; in the past every
consideration OF the subject has de
eloped this difference in policy.
lie eeadsps hof a@Gs onIg in hne Vas Washington p but
throughout ,the country, have detes-
mined that they will keep out Of t@
debate as TO details OF policy. They
tre willing to leave it to Congress ana
the Administration, feeling that which
provement. over present conditions.
Democratic Position.
The plans. which have had Republican
backing in the past, have. commonly
heen based On the theory Of contribu-
lions by the employees. That the Demo
..rats. once committed to a retirement
system. will be willing 10 adopt the old
r:epubIican scheme, is generally doubt
u: wherefore the hope that program
Il exclusive governmental provision of
1unds may be finally accepted.
Congressman Hamill Of New Jersey.
= hose service annuity plan has been
1nittec. has an appointment for tomoi-
yow TO discuss the subject with Presi-
lent Wilson. During the committee
hearing this week, Mr.. HaInill will look
after the presentation OF the case In
lrehalf of this plan. All the civil service
organizations that desire will be heard.
t rs expected also that Miles NJ Daw-
s-on, of New York, the noted actuarial
authority, who has given this subject
much attention, will be heard.
On March and 2 convention OF clvfl
ountry will be held al the old Masonic
temple. Ninth and + streets. to give
further support to the Legislative PRO-
:srain. 1t is now promised that SD dele
-ates. representing all sections and Or
5anizations will attend. No similar
sathering heretofore has brought more
Than so delegates. The national leaders
If the movement will address the gath
ring, and organization will be effected
% put the utmost possible pressure be
lind the demands for early legislation.