Evening star., 1924-10-26

lie came QHeCtIy ITOHl tne
IL farm to take a clerkship with
Uncle Sam in 1890 at 5000 a
year. With the exception of four years,
when he was making try at private
enterprise in his old home town, he has
been working steadily, and progress
sRely, for the Federal Government. So
that for 80 years he has devoted his
whole life and energy to the peoples
business.
He is the one officer in the whole
Federal service in charge of the hu-
manitarian duty of retiring on PEN
sion those worn out in service, who
have given to the Government the
best years of their life. There are
approximately 425. 900 individuals who
thus look to him as their friend, who
has worked with the last four Con-
crosses, and interviewing practically
every member of Congress in their
behalf, to see that they get adequate
provision for the days when they will
no longer be able to work.
1t was through his efforts more
than those of any other man on the
Government pay roll that the civil
service retirement act was passed in
1920. This tribute was paid to him
by Chairman Lehlbach of the House
civil service committee in a speech
Nefore tho Retired Employees Asso-
citation in the Interior Department
last May. 1t was in recognition and
appreciation of his interest and en-
deavors for retirement legislation
that he was selected to administer
the law and head up the new division
1t created in the Pension Bureau. He
is actively supporting further legis-
lation to improve the retirement Sys-
tenn, and is likely to continue his
services for the Government en-
ployes for a decade yet to come, for
he himself is not eligible to retire.
ment on a pension for ten years yet.
And it is further a compliment to his
outstanding leadership in retirement
a~airs that, although a lifelong Re-
publican, he received his appointment
as chief of the retirement division
from a Democratic administration.
Started I'm Census once.
He was first a clerk in the Census
Office. After three years he was
transferred to tie pension agency in
Washington. and through a series of
promotions advanced to assistant
chief clerk. In 1907 he was commits
stoned by President Roosevelt as
temporary pension agent at Concord,
N. H, which post he filled for seven
months, and then returned to his for
mer position IN the Cdp1tdl. ne re-
signed in 1908 to engage in business
in his native town in New York State.
He returned to the Federal service in
1912, at the request of officials of the
Pension Bureau, to assist in organiza-
tion of the disbursing office in the
bureau.
He became active in 1915 in sup
port of retirement legislation, and
persistently continued that activity
until the law finally was passed in
1920. Following enactment of the
law he was selected by the Commits
sioner of Pensions, in recognition of
his outstanding labors in this cause,
as chairman of the newly organized
retirement division, and has since
continued in that post
425,OOO Affected.
Just a brief statement Of the main
facts about the retirement system
will show the scope and heart-interest
of Mr.. Beach's job. There are about
4250o0 men and women. who have
grown old in public service, affected
by the act Mr.. Beach's daily work
touches on the life of every individual
employe in the government service
within the perview> of the retirement
act. 1t covers all employees in all
branches Of the classified civil serv-
ice, and certain other branches such.