The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-13

tense personal interest IN sthchaoYern-
ment employe in GU: post Offices and
in the rural delivery service who has
served the public faithfully for a long
term OF years and who, By reason OF
age and bodily infirmity becomes in
capacitated for further active serv-
ice!s
::The question involved in~this bill
is whether these employees shall be
dismissed from the service under
these circumstances and left to exc
out an existence without further rec
ignition OF long years of service, or,
perhaps, become Inmates OF county.
-%almshouseF, or whether the general
government, in recognition of past
Services, extending over a term of
years, shall follow the practice of
many:priYate and public corporations
in making such reasonable and fair
provision for the maintenance of thes
worthy, and faithful employees during
approximation as the dictates of cont
mon humanity would prescribe.
II am firm in the belief that most
government employees put behind them
on entering the service practically all
chances for tho usual ~financlal. rewards
that cone in the ordinary aVocations
Of life whereby they: may be maintain
ed throughout the, period Of superan.
nuatton, by the accumulations of the
active. period of life. Their employment
removes them from the channels of
business and of investment wherein
usually men, OF. such intelligence as
as they are required to have, make and
save money. The general government.
cannot afford "toTbc m re"heart1ess;and
inconsidcrate of the welfare Sof its
faithful ssuperannuated employees than
our large public service corporations
and many private ones.
1T Is becoming. a we'll established
principle that SO far as possible every
industry shall bear the burden Of ac.
ctdent approximation and death in the
case of its employees. Our workmen's
compensation acts are based upon this
principle and surely the government
should set the humane example to all
industries of bearing its proper share
ofSthe burden of supporting those in
its service who have become incapaci-
tated by old age and. by It's infirmities.
! therefore urge that this bill be re-
ported faSorahly to the House. i
thank you for this opportunity of ap.
pearing before this committee in be-
half OF this bill and in behalf of those
who, in the event of It's passage. will
become its worthy be%neaclarles. Some
years ago was an employe OF the gov.
eminent in the census Office here in
Washington. I can therefore approach
this subject from the standpoint of an
inside vtewSof the conditions that pre-.
vail among government employees gem
orally. My hearty sympathy Is with
them, and at the same time ] firmly
believe that the interests OF tho gener;
al public ,andsof tho working people
generally throughout our land will be
subserveG by the passage OF. legfsla-
ton such as is contained in~the pond
ing bill:H
The Griffin bill has made a pro.
found impression on members of Con.
gress, Up till today 10Sj members had
orally Or by written statement advo.
Gated 1T before the subcommittee.
There il opposition to, it from some
members who are, opposed totcIvfl PEN
sionsfof any sort, but if It comes out
of committee 1t is believed that 1t has
a! good chance to get through the
House, at least.
II, Is really an Indefinite leave Of abb
scnce measure, providing that postal
clerks, carriers. etc., shall be given
an indefinite leave of absence, with
1900 a wear after lbnarl cDmDosed OF