The Washington times., 1920-02-06
LODGE BLOCKS
PENSION LAW
Majority Leader Has Senate
Adjourn Until Monday, Delay
ing Retirement Bill.

Plans OF Republican Leader Lodge
TO have the Senate adjourn over to-
night until Monday will be successful
in blocking Congress on the retire
ment bill for District and Federal en-
ployes under classified civil service,
Senator Sterling OF North Dakota,
who hopes to get the bill up again to-
day, will have large-size night on
his hands.
Shortly after the Senate met today
Senator Lodge obtained the consent
to adjournment until Monday. This
was disconcerting to Senator Sterling,
as the civil service chairman hoped
TO make considerable progress on the
measure today and tomorrow.
Senator Sterling said that he did
, not believe IL would be possible 10 get
a final vote on the retirement bill this
afternoon,
A vote this afternoon would be ap-
proximately the one chance for the
passage OF the bill at this time.
IL Senator Lodge succeeds in bring
ing up the peace treaty Monday its
consideration would take precedence
over all other matters of the Senate.
Senator Sterling's bill, like other
measures, would then have to walt
its turn.
Senator Sterling said he could not
object to Mr.. Lodges motion to have
the Senate adjourn over until Mon
day because of the necessity OF con-
ferences tomorrow on the pending
peace treaty fight.
Senator Pomerene OF Ohio. who Is
an opponent OF the Sterling-Lehlback
retirement measure because IL entails
too great a financial burden on the
Government, has brought before the
Senate a substitute bill which would
have the effect Of making the pension
plan entirely self-sustaining.
Between these two measures the
Senate is at loggerheads today.
Senator Sterling intends to push his
own measure, which has received the
aDrity Endorsement of the Commit
tee on Civil Service and Retrench-
ment, despite the. opposition or Sen
ator Pomerene and other opponents.
Strong opposition showed itself yes
terday when the measure was taken
up in the Senate. II it is possible to
do So Senator Sterling intends to keep
1t there until voted upon.
The bill as introduced by Senator
Sterling provides for the retirement
of employees who have reached the age
of sixty-five years and rendered at
least fifteen years service. The Gov
ernment contributes 62.3 per cent to-
ward the annuity fund and the civil
service employees contribute the other
37.7 per cent.
Senator Pomerene's substitute bill
provides for a graduated scale OF as
sessment from 2.7 per cent to per
cent against employees salaries. which
rise according to the age of the per-
son when he enters civil service en-
ployment.
This assessment Is in no case 70
exceed per cent of the salary. The
Pomerene bill provides for retirement
at the age of seventy.
Senator Pomerene has challenged
the figures contained in the Sterling
bill, declaring that II would cost tSe
Government S15,O0O,o00 instead OF
$4,000, 900 as it's supporters estimate
Employees of the Government Print
ing Office are rallying behind the
Sterling bill. a petition signed by
2,OS6 OF them having been presente
TO Congress. Other bureaus are JOLT
ing with the Government Printir
Office in asking the Senate to act
favorably on the Sterling bill.