The Washington times., 1914-06-02
Battle Is Started to Win Justice
For Old Clerks in Service of L. S.
Mass Meeting Launches Cam
paign Following Speeches by
Senators, Congressman, and
Capital Citizens.

| Needs OF the old soldier vino also has
served in civilian life, and also of Uncle
Sans civil service employees. were dis
cussed from every angle last night at a
mass meeting at the New willard
Members of both houses OF Congress
joined with G. A. R. leaders in pre-
senting facts concerning the present
attitude of the departments in Wash
lrgton toward aged and infirm en-
ployes
In the interest of government clerks
who are looking TO pension plan
whereby they may be cared for in their
old age, The Times herewith presents
a full report of the various view points
taken by the speakers last evening.
Civil service employees filed the red
room of the hotel and crowded about
the doors during G.e meeting.
I'VE are gathered tonight to make a
solemn. respectful, but earnest protest
against the processes now applied in
Government departments to old soldiers.
Nor would we ignore those other en-
ployes who have not the same protection
by law as the war veteran was the
statement of Commander ]. Is. Gleeson,
Department of the Potomac, G. A. r..
which sounded the keynote OF the
gathering.
Senator Jones Speaks.
81 mad never expected to take part
in a meeting of this character" said
Senator Jones of Washington. "I
never expected il would be necessary
in this country for a group of Gov
ernment workers. such as you, to as
semble to humbly petition for your
just deserts.
THE Postmaster General was asked
for the facts in the cases of the
eighteen men dismissed from the
Washington City Postoffce. and we
got them. We got just what facts
We expected We were told these
men were older than they once were
that they could not do so much work
as they could in their prime. They
are not so highly efficient as they
used to be. So they are ousted.
There are your facts.
"As l sat here / could not help
thinking of the time when every man.
yes every boy. stepped forth from
nearly every home. Little did they
think that fffty-four years afterward.
they were to be turned put by the
Government they fought to. save.
What recOmpense. What a reward
Il believe in economy" he conclud-
ed. But l do not believe in it at the
expense of the nation. The discharge
of these eighteen men may be mat
ter OF cold business with the Wash
ington Postoffice But the nation does
not regard its heroes as a business
proposition. 1t may be all right to
erect monuments to these men when
they are dead, but IL is even better,
while they are with US, TO show some
of their services and
make their last days the happiest
days Of their lives"
Smoot Wins Applause.
Senator Reed Smoot aroused pro-
longed applause when he said every !
bill that came before !
Congress could be pared enough to |
afford a pension fund that would take |
care of every superannuated civilian |
employe of Uncle Sam.
II want to protest" he said. "and /
mean not only to protest before you.
but to use every bit of my force and |
influence in protesting against the |
lemotion or expulsion of members OF |
the G. \. r.. wherever such protest |
viii be effective. | never addressed !
an audience on the subject of econ
/
have talked frankly and freely of the |
men who have passed the years of |
usefulness. who are manned. infirm. |
and who go tOttering to their work |
and ! never heard single complaint |
gaiEst any proposed reward for such /
men If they have served their coun I,
-ry faithfully.
"I never want to see an old soldier
disturbed even il another man is
needed TO supervise his work / come
/" you not as politician. not even in
ne Euise of a statesman. but as your
friend. And / venture to predict that
your grievance of tonight will be I
.cwcdied. l wish to express hope (
h.t j. will be reCtitied soon"
Commander GleeSon was named tenn
,orlry chairman OF the meeting last
evening. and after a brief outline OF
he purpose of the gathering he called
'Or nominations for permanent chair
nan. Fulton r. Gordon was unani-
IoUsly chosen. Mr.. Gordon outlined
Ir v'an OF campaign in behalf of the
Jerks.
May Go To Voters.
~" are-2oing TO take this battle to
headquarters" he stated. Il think
lnoG tho man who is responsible for
n > removal. do not wish TO mention
IS name. Cor | would prefer that he
Nou!o correct his error. But il this
natter is not righted his name will be
AIKEN to Congress, to the President.
and. II necessary. backed by a pa
rIoti, public press. We shall take it to
he 15.Obpo voters Ofsthis country"
Nj. Gordon was applauded when he
ihouted We are going to change pol
TICS in this campaign"
Get the two pictures" he continued, I
of President Wilson paying a just and
we'll deserved tribute at the brooklyn
navy yard to the boys who lost their
ives at Nera- Cruz. But get the other
picture. too, of these men on that same
:ay. these eighteen grand old men,
even Of whom fought Tor their nation.
Walking forth from the Washington
'ostOffice To starvc. for all the Gov
'rnmcnt cared. 1t makes my blood boil
yher, ] hear men attack John ID.
when | realize that he
Icats his employees better than the
nIted States Government. 1t is time
4" We're making of the Government
ervicc a field which young men WI
eek as they seek appointment to West
'Oiut or 10 the Naval Academy.
II say "a YOU, Pres dent Wilson, that
-Ou never had "A better chance than now
. show fairness and justice to these
vO.WH civil service employees than by
.inStating these men thrown ont Of tho