Evening star., 1915-05-31

careful and saved all the money I
could, invested 1t where it earned In
come. I have bought property and in
every way tried to increase the prin-
not enough to bring me a living in
come. together with my wife. who has
always worked hard-trying to save
with me-
Another employe frankly declared
himself opposed to pension system
for the civil service. He said:
Il have never been able to obtain an
honest reason why the government en-
ploye is entitled to a pension of any
kind whatever. They are paid better
ment than are like employees in outside
establishments. The work is not of
dangerous nature. and / have never
heard of single person contracting
disease or losing his health or life on
account of such employment. In the
winter they are protected from the
severe weather. and in the summer
from the extreme heat.
The thirty days vacation is unusual
ly attractive, and Is not SO extensively
granted by outside concerns. except
possibly in a very few instances. Also
the sick leave is another privilege
granted by the government that out
side people seldom have the benefit
of. and these privileges. although little
appreciated, are not to be overlooked
when carefully considering the hard
ships which the government employe
seems to have been suffering for so
many years.
Thousands Seeking Position.
Judging from the apparent abuse to
it would appear that their services are
compulsory. When one considers the
thousands of able people who are crav-
ing for government position, and
would be perfectly willing and glad to
accept a position without a thought or
hope of pension. it looks as though
the government will be under no obli-
cation to adopt a pension system for
several years to come.
"One Of the great troubles in the past
is that TIE government clerk has not
been able to adjust his method of living
SO as to come within his salary, and
therefore looks toward pension as
the only means of relieving his situa-
ton. The only thing for him to do is
to get down to business and look out
little for the future. and not simply
exist in a helpless condition and expect
the government or some other institu-
ton to take care of him without any
effort on his part"
One employe complained of the atti-
tude of some of the employees who have
ice.
After voting for the contributory
pension plan. he said:
Until the younger element coming
into the service can be brought to re-
alize that such a law is Of vital inter-
est to them, I fear very little will be
accomplished along these lines in years
to come The younger element to which
/ have referred are in the majority of
cases very much opposed to contrib
utory plan, primarily because of their
low salaries at starting. and the cut it
would necessarily make in them to con-
tribute a portion of 1t each month for
such a purpose, the result OF which
would be 50 many ny, years M mathur,nsEt turing;
which they would Immediately derive
in the clearance Of the service Of many
high salaried clerks, thus making way
for their rapid promotion. The addt-
tional compensation incident to a pro-
motion would more than Offset the
amount they might be called upon to
contribute from time to time.
IT prophesy that the time is not far
distant when those now in the serv-
to wear out. slow down, some as the
result of poor health, defective eye
sight, or any of the kindred affections
incident to long and arduous service.
They would then welcome such law.
which they have heretofore SO siren
uously set their faces against: Why
can they not be brought to realize now
how vitality interested they should be,
thus removing one of the obstacles to
the early passage Of some law by Con-
gress which would improve the service
and beneht deserving class?
Opposes Contributory Plan.
In opposition to the contributory
plan. another employe said:
"The reasons for my opposition to the
contributory system are briefly as fol-
lows:
"(a) l am capable of saving a very
small part of my salary without being
compelled to do so.
"(b) It would be OF immediate benefit
to old employees only.
"(c) Young and middle-aged en-
ployes would reap no benefit for many
years to come-if ever.
"(d) Salaries arc too low and cost OF
living too high to allow any reductions
in salary