The Washington herald., 1916-04-29

u. 5. NOT humane
boss, Is Charge
Witnesses Urge Civil Service
Retirement Measure Be-
fore House Committee.
TAVENNER BILL BACKED
Employment of Superannuated Work
ers Called as Foolish as Use Of
Scrap Machinery.
TAvENNER BILL BACKED
By JOSEPH P. AMIN.

That the government has left the hui
man element out Of its elaborate conser-
walton plans. and that the employment
Of superannuated workers is as poor an
economy as the employment of scrap ma
chinery, were among the striking state
ments made yesterday in support OF the
Tsvenner civil service retirement measure
before the House Committee on Reform
in the Civil Service.
Tie argument that the humane retire
ment Of superannuated employees and the
insion Of new blood in the service
would work an economy in money and
effort was strongly presented by repre-
sentatives of civil service associations,
efficiency experts and employers of gov
eminent labor. 1t was pointed out that
private firms of vast business interests
have adopted retirement systems and
that most OF the large cities and many
OF the States have found such systems
wise and economical
"a retirement system for old employees
Is one OF the best things in business" de-
clared Lieut. Comdr Tombs. U. s. N,
attached to the Washington Navy Yard.
Making superannuated employees work Is
like using scrap machinery
I do not believe this bill would cost
the government anything in the end
said NJ. +. O'Donoghue, representing the
National Association OF Civil Service En-
ployes, "as the government would sub
stitute young clerks in the places of older
ones who are retired on annuities.
Cites Germany as Example.
Germany has increased the life of its
citizens by II per cent through its system
Of social insurance. No one can do good
work il he is worried constantly about
what will happen to him when he is old.
Our government has evidently forgotten
he Al In p Of
plans
There was less appearance of opposi-
ton to the principle of the bill on the
part Of the committee than at previous
hearings on retirement bills. 1t Is be-
lisved the Taveuner bill, which seeks
to care for the second generation Of
civil service employees, is cumbersome
and should be restricted to a purely civil
service annuity field, but proponents OF
the principle were encouraged when the
hearing was adjourned. II was not
definitely decided whether hearing would
be resumed or not.
Herbert D. Browne, chief Of the bureau
Of efficiency, favored a retirement sys-
tenn. and James L. Beatty, auditor for
the War Department, said such a system
would work a great increase in efficiency
in the service. He estimated that in one
instance the work of fifteen clerks, of
ages between s. and 50, could be done by
four young men, but pointed out that It
would be grossly unfair and inhumane
To replace these older men after their
long service without having first made
adequate provision for their old age.
Representative Farr, of Pennsylvania,
favored the bill, as did Thomas F. Flah-
erty, secretary and treasurer Of the Ma
tiOnal Association of Postoffice Clerks.
John ]. Deviny, president of the Plate
Printers Union: H NJ. McLarin, presi-
dent OF the Federal Employees Union,
No. i50O07; Jacob W. Starr, former pres
ident Of the Civil Service Retirement As
ISOLATION; Congressman Charles, of New
York, and Thomas Nolan, of Norfolk,
Va, were among those who advocated
passage of the Tavenner bill.