Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-28
RETIREMENT BILL
GETS PRIVILEGED
STATUS IN HOUSE
Civil Service Measure Will
Sc Taken Up for Consider
alton Tomorrow.
AGREEMENT MAY HASTEN
ITS FINAL DISPOSITION
Mondell's Plan for Earlier Session
Defeated, However-Measure
Already Passed by Senate.

Defeated, However-Measure
Already Passed by Senate.
The civil service retirement bill
which already has passed the Senate
was given privileged status for con-
sideration in the House tomorrow by
unanimous consent at the opening OF
the House session today. This action
was taken on motion Of House Leader
Mondell.
Mr.. Mondell also endeavored to per-
suade the House to agree to meet al
IL o'clock tomorrow for consideration
of the retirement bill, but unanimous
consent was refused by Representa-
tives Quin- of Mississippi and Black
of Texas, both democrats.
Under the agreement made today
1t is expected to complete considera-
tion of the retirement bill tomorrow,
This measure comes before the House
in the form Of Senate 1853 (the Ster-
ling bilD, with committee amend
ments from the House committee on
reform in the civil service. These
retirement.
Werding Of Request Changed.
While House Leader Mondell was
sent for consideration of the retire
ment bill. Representative Blanton OF
Texas questioned whether the repub-
lican majority intended to bring in a
special rule. and in view of a number
of questions to this effect, Mr.. Mondell
read that it may be in order to move
to go into the committee OF the whole
tomorrow on this measure.
Representative Macarthur, republican
Of Oregon. raised the question whether
consideration Of the measure would be
completed tomorrow. Representative
Mann Of Illinois, Leader Monden and
Representatives Clark of Missouri and
Garrett of Tennessee argued the point
whether. if the bill is not passed tomor-
row, it would be continuing business be-
fore the House.
Clark Hopes for Disposal.
Champ Clark said that II the bill is
taken up tomorrow it ought to be fin
ished tomorrow. because there Is moth
ing in it that cannot be understood. He
hoped it would be disposed Of tomorrow
half the members of the House might
desire to make speeches about it.
When Mr.. MondeM moved that the
House should meet at IL o'clock to-
morrow for consideration of the re-
tirement bill Mr.. Clark temporarily
objected. but when It. was shown that
the disposition of the House Is to dis
pose of the bill in one day. Mr.. Clark
withdrew his objection. Representa-
tive Quin Of Mississippi, democrat.
then jumped to his feet. saying: Il
hope it will not pass at all, and. there
fore. l object" Almost in the same
breath Representative Black, demo-
clat. of Texas also objected.
Intensive Campaign.
An intensive campaign to acuuaint
members of the House with the urgent
necessity of early action on the retire
ment bill was begun today by the
joint conference on retirement, follow
ing a meeting of the conference last
night at 1923 New York avenue.
I'VE are going to impress upon men,
bers of Congress that this measure is
in line with the economy program of
the House, inasmuch as it involves no
immediate appropriation by the gov
ernment and will result in a large saw
ing by making possible the immediate
retirement of thousands of superanu-
ated employees now on the govern
ing chairman on the joint conference
on retirement.
Not Confined to ID. G.
There Is an erroneous impression
that this retirement measure affects
only employees in the District of Co
lumbia- AS matter of fact. it reaches
into every branch of the government
service, covering rural carriers, city
letter carriers, post office clerks, rail-
way mail clerks. navy yard mechanics
and thousands of other government
employes-totaling close to 900
Retirement legislation of this
character has been recommended by
cabinet officials. department heads.
bureau chiefs and practically every
r.,x. Gxs xs<S.,
a study of the question. Every one
agrees that its enactment would be
beneficial from a governmental view
point and operate to relieve the ex-
fsting condition whereby the aged
employees are either denoted dis
when they can no longer render eff
ficient service.
THE enactment of retirement legis-
1ation at this time would be in full
fillment of the pledges made in the
platforms of the political parties. We
are extremely hopeful that the House
will agree to the age limits as fixed
in the I.ehlbach bill. which are more
satisfactory and would better meet
the situation than the higher limits
fixed in the Senate bill
Organizations in Move.
The following representatives Of or
CARNATIONS and others are assisting
Chairman Ryan in urging members
of the House to support the Lehl-
bach bill:
Edward ]. Gainor. president of the
National Association of Letter Car
riers: Thomas +. Flaherty. secretary
of the National Federation of Post
Office Clerks: Jasper D. Evans. vice
chairman of the joint retirement COM
mittee of the naval gun factory: DR.
e. Eder Reed. secretary of the joint
retirement committee: John s. Beach
Of hA ovl@
Union. No. ,; Francis Black, secre
tary of the New York Navy Yard
Retirement Association: Jeremiah
Connolly chairman. legislative COM
mittee. Federal Employees Union. No
2; NJ. A. Bodenhamer. president, Typo.
graphical Union No. 10l: " G.
Sprague, president, Printing Press
mems Union: W. p. Clark, president
Plate Printers Union. and W. r
Franklin. president. District Federal
al N