Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-15
By EARL GOODWIN.

ST. LOUIS, June 15.--As the subcom-
mittee which will put the finishing
touches to the. democratic platform
closed the doors today on a crowd OF
woman suffrage workers and others
interested In platform planks. 1t be-
came evident that there is only a slight
chance for the insertion of n plank
pledging the party to grant local self
government and home rule in the Ma
tfonal Capital, together with>a promise
OF liberal treatment by Congress. John
Il. Colpoys, the District of Columbia
member of the platform committee,
made his plea for this plank in the
wee small hours Of the morning.
Being recognized at the tail end of a
long procession of men and women who
had planks OF all descriptions to show
the cabinet makers. Mr.. Colbys' plank
which has been printed in The star
had the backing of the District dele
gates, and contained their idea OF q
broad but brief statement of the needs
of the District. The committee, no"
ever. is not inclined at this moment TO
take up any such matter as sunraee-
either male female or universal-1or the
District of Columbia. on the theory ina
the platform should contain matters OF
national scope only Too many details,
they believe, will prevent the piaei"F"'
from being read.
Mr.. Colpoys had time only for brief
presentation. He said. however. tna!
even IL = plank could not be inserted
in advocacy Of the Districts needs. that
the democratic party should adopt an
administrative and congressional poHcy
which would lead toward the things
asked in the proposed plank. especially
liberal treatment.
Aided by Senator Hughes.
Men who appeared before the republican
platform committee at Chicago urging an
adequate plank covering the party's pledge
TO advance the cause Of civil service re-
form appeared again last night before
the platform makers of the democrats
marty. and to their number was added
Senator Hughes Of New Jersey. Repre-
sentatime Hamill Of New Jersey, author
of a civil service reform bill now before
the House Of Representatives. and for
mer Representative Riley Of Connecticut.
DR.. Llewellyn Jordan of Chicago and
WashsinRton, and Thomas Flaherty. both
Of whom have made almost endless pleas
before congressional committees for civil
service reform. and a retirement and pen
| sion fund for the older employees OF the
government, put the question squarely up
| 10 the platform committee tonight: and
expressed themselves frankly as disap-
| pointed with the plank given by the re-
publican party. Representative Hamill
described the republican plank as re-
dictionary one:
Pensions In civil service are not gratui-
| ties" he said. but are deferred wages.
! which were not paid at the time earned.
Government employees have the right to
see their maintenaacs clear to the end
Of their lives, but they cannot do this
without a pension and retirement system
In view Of the Increased living costs. Even
the government Of Turkey has passed the
United States In this regard and gives
| to its employees. who grow old In the
| service an adequate pension. The United
states ana the Island Of Haiti are the
two governments left. which fail to recog-
nize the merit Of the civil service pen
sion"
Senator Hughes said that the civil serv-
ice 10 q democratic institution: and that
| in his opinion the government ought to