Evening star., 1924-08-31

~ service retirement and
. wv disability law promised
consideration S the first
important legislation to
be taken up when Congress reassem-
bles, those who are fathering this
measure not only in the interests of
the workers worn out in the Federal
service, but also for real efficiency
and economy have fortified their
cause with strong statement by
Joseph S. Mccoy, Government actu-
airy, showing that it is empha tically
good business for Uncle Sam
Senator Robert n. Stanfield of Ore
gon. chairman of the civil service
committee of the Senate, has made
arrangements for bringing the new
retirement bill up on December H.
The House rules committee has prom
ised Representative Frederick r.
Lehlbach of New Jersey, chairman of
the House civil service committee
and Robert II. Alcorn, chairman of
the joint conference on retirement
| representing fully 90 per cent of the
civil service employees Of the United
States, in 81 organizations, that priv
ileged consideration early in the COM
ing session will be given this meas
urc.
Principal Changes Proposed.
The principal changes in the pro-
posed bill over the present law are:
| % 1t increases the contribution of
the employees from 212 to 3k per
cent, SO that they themselves will pay
| for the increased benefits. CD 1t in
creases annuities from 1920 as a max
imum to $1,000. CD While the re-
tirement age remains the same, op-
tional retirement is provided for af-
of
employe has reached 63 years of age
Mechanics, letter carriers laborers
and post office clerks may retire after
80 years when they have reached So
years of age. This differential is pro-
posed because of more physically
wearing work.
The new measure also provides for
| a better accounting system. 1t di-
rectS the Civil Service Commission to
keep careful record of employees,
and directs the Treasury Department
to maintain an account showing the
annual liabilities of the Government
| under the act and to keep such other
accounts Is may be deemed neces-
sary for proper administration.
In estimating the cost to the Gov
eminent of retiring those incapacf-
| lated by age or by physical or mental
| disability, little attention has been
given to the saving to the Govern
ment incidental to this retirement
No longer do We see physical wrecks,
and even mental wrecks, assisted to
| their offices and desks by dependent
/ relatives. No longer is provision
| necessary for invalid chairs to bring
| those unable to walk to their desks,
there TO doze the live long day and
/ bother their fellow employees
PcnnfIess in Old Age.
/ Prior to 1920 this was a common
! sight. Those incapacitated employees
! had given the best years of their
| lives to faithful service. In their
old age, with impaired health, en-
ergy and mentality. they found them
| selves with no resources other than
! their meager salaries Often not
/ only themselves depended upon this
| salary but. through misfortune, fam
lilies of orphan grandchildren, widow
ed daughters, etc.
| Very few cabinet officers or others
| in authority were SO cold -bIooded as
! to separate these veterans from the
| service. knowing the result and con-
| sequences. Most of these old en-
| ployes had at one time, through long
| and efficient service. reached the top
| OF the ladder. so far as their re-
! Spective offices were concerned. With
! failing powers, often due to their
work. they were denoted, their sal
aries being cut from time to time.
| until it was reduced from % to 50
per cent. Had these unfortunates
been marked for efficiency SO per
cent of them would have received
zero marks, another 40 per cent
| from one-tenth to one-fifth of a per-
| feet mark, and of the remainder none
| would have received a good mark.
Retirement Pay Too Low.
Under the provisions of the retire
| ment act this practice has been elm
| mated. 1t must be confessed, how
I ever, that because of the low retire.
ment annuity as compared with the
salaries previously earned by many
of the annuitants, together with
high prices, many who have even
reached the high retirement age of
the present law are kept in service,
although the Government would be
benefited by their retirement.
But. entirely aside from the hu-
| manitarian side of this problem. the