Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-15
THE VETERAN EMPLoYE.
Isioux city Journal.l

fSioux City Journal
The postoffice department defends its
policy of dism issing veteran letter car
riers on the ground that they are LACK
ing in ericiency-that, as they begin
to show signs OF slowing up" or go
ing back" the department, In justice 70
itself and Its patrons, cannot retain
them in its employ.
Ii not such q defense essentially
an indictment against the general EN-
ployment plan OF the national govern
nent, the idea OF which seems to be TO
work man as long ~ there 10 work
in him that Is worth while-to squeeze
him dry OF energy and vim-and then,
Just when he Is entering upon that per-
iod of life when. more than ever. ne
needs a helping hand, to turn him
adrift In a world that is cold enough TO
youth. but frigid in the extreme to old
age.
Ii is hardly fair. however, to blame
this administration or that Tor pol
icy that has been handed down from
one administration to another ana
condition that has become tho more
serious as the government has grown
older and at the same time. greater.
II would seem as though congress
| long ago must have realized that with
| the passing OF the years the necessity
OF providing aged and INDECENT
| employees would press more and more
heavily upon the government. There
| seems to have been an inclination.
/ however to postpone the inevitable.
/ to pass the problem along from one
! administration to another. Thus II
| bobs up in 1915 as II has bobbed up
/ time and again in one way and an
other in the past.
! Why should not the United States
government do as we'll by its employees
as private corporations? The rail-
roads, the packing companies and
other enterprises OF size have come
to realize that the employers duty to
the employee does not cease when ne
hands him his pay envelope of Sat
urday night. Not only do they cheer
fully assume the responsibility 81
providing healthful working places and
providing every device that Will make
for safety and comfort, but they give
Il pensions in old age-a most substantial
acceptance OF the doctrine that the en-
u ployer's duty to the employe does not
cease even after the employe has ceased
ed to give of his talen and his strength
to give OF his talent and his strength
ployers business.
The fact seems to be that the Unit
ed States government II several year,
behind the procession. 1t has not ever
! made a respectable start along line!
which private corporations for man!
, years have recognized az good business
J as well as true humanity. The problem
: should be recognized as at least worth!
serious consideration. II It is insisted
that pensions are an Offshoot Of pater
nalism or that for the government t
establish itself as guardian over AM
, provider for the aged IL out OF har
mony with the spirit of American In
dependence and self respect. It at leas
: would not be out Of reason for the gov
i ernIn.1it TO pay It's employees q wag
: that would be sufficiently generous I
permit their ultimate participation !
the benefits OF a pension fund Of thei
own making. Some provision, what
y ever 1t may be. should be made
{ avert the tragedy which II reflected !
the ruthless turning out OF q man 3
: the very time Of life when Job mean
: more to him than II any other time
!. his existence.