The Washington times., 1919-06-27

Endorsed by Cabinet officers. the
District Commissioners, representa-
tives OF trade unions. and others, the
pensioning of Federal employees will
be reported favorably to the Senate
in the near future from the Commit
tee on Civil Service and Retirement
Senator Sterling, chairman of the
committee, decided definitely today to
close hearing on the bill. The COM
mittee will begin early next week the
task of framing a new measure.
Never before has the time been so
opportUne for the passage of retire
ment legislation as it is now" said
senator Sterling. THE testimony Of
witnesses has convinced me more
than ever of the urgent need of such
a law"
When the bill is reported to the
Senate, il undoubtedly will carry out
the recommendations of Commission
er Brownlow, extending its full bene-
fits to employees OF the District gov
eminent as well as to Federal en-
ployes. The Sterling bill will affect
about 1900 District employees, Mr..
Brownlow has told the committee.
with about eighty employees eligible
Tor immaculate retirement
Officials Favor Pensions.
Secretary of the Treasury Glass.
former Secretary McAdoo, Secretary
of Labor Wilson, and Acting Secre-
tary of State Frank Polk all have
come out strongly in support of the
proposed legislation.
81 am strongly in favor Of the
adoption OF some practical plan for
retirement of civil service employees"
said Mr.. Polk, ''as a measure great
one which would in the end be eco
nomically advantageous. 1t is my
belief that this is one thing that
would help to bring about a much
needed improvement in the Govern
ment service, not only by making
suitable provision for worthy men
and women who have devoted their
best years to the service of the Gov
eminent at a very modest rate of
compensation, but also by offering
Inducements to persons Of ability to
devote their lives to the service of
the Government, with the assurance
that when their usefulness is at an
end the Government will provide an
annuity for the period after their
earning capacity shall have ceased"
An Inhuman System.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson declared
that in view Of the fact that other
governments, as well as many pri-
waite corporations in this country,
had adopted a system of pensions,
Congress would do well, in my
to lose no time in enacting
an adequate civil service retirement
law"
Entirely apart from the hu-
msnities and justice involved" said
Mr.. Wilson, "it would seem to be
high time to recognize the fact that
the executive departments have a
pension roll whether they like it or
not, and that IL is the most expensive,
and in many ways in
human sort of pension system. What
I refer to is to the water-logged
payroll which in all essentials pro-
duces a pension system without re-
tirement
I'm other words, aged and decrepit
employees who have been worn out in
the Government service are retained
On the payroll at a salary which Is
higher, in most cases.
than would provide an adequate pen
sion. These people are not discharged. |
cannot and will not be discharged by
he heads OF departments, for humane
reasons.
Must BE At Desks.
"On the other hand, they must be at
heir desks each day for seven hours
n order to receive the salary at which
hey are listed. This is not only a
handicap-it is a useless and
nhumane one. On the other hand. 1t
has a demoralizing OBJECT on the other
particularly those who, go
ng in at the entrance grade, are per-
laps getting a salary for real work |