Evening star., 1924-02-23
Unjust to Annuitants.
Protest Against Proposal to Per
petuate Errors in Salary.
Fixing.
To the Editor OF The star;

The prolonged infection of injus-
tices upon a considerable number Of
clerks employed In civil service by
indiscriminate classification and un-
just compensation finally arrested at
tention that resulted in legislation
and decision that payment to one
clerk Of $500 while another was be-
ing paid but $1,000 for similar serv-
ice must be discontinued.
More unjust. however, and more
pathetic, Is the scheme now proposed
to have Congress fasten upon clerks
now retired a renewal and continu.
alton of the illogical and cruel class
ification from which they were fin-
ally delivered by merciful legislation
while yet in the service; practically
to declare that the fact of their
wrongful classification as clerks is
a proper reason why they should be
so classified as annuitants; that the
fact of Mr.. A having been paid S1,S00
while Mr.. b was paid but 1000 for
similar service is good and suffi-
cient reason annuities should be paid
them in the same proportion, and not
on the basis of service rendered.
Justice demands discernment and
Intelligent conSidera ton of the fact
that for years during the service of
present annultants they rendered
service to the government just as
valuable as the similar service now
performed. for which double the sal
aries they received are now being
paid. For instance: The clerk who a
few years ago entered the railway
Immediately receives $500 and per-
quisites. Although no percentage for
maintenance of retirement was de-
Quoted from his $500, as the value
of his services was equal TO that for
which $500 Is now paid, the gov
retained $500 each year from his real
earnings, the total amount Of which
vastly overbalances the amount Of
the perceptible 2h per cent retained
since 1920 from the 1880 being paid
to his none fortunate young success
or.
* + f*
The purpose of the retirement law
was declared to be a comfortable pro-
vision for civil service employees who
had. in the performance OF thirty or
more years of valuable service to the
government, become worn and en-
feebled beyond the ability OF further
oSCi OlhCScp oAo WIN OSSo0oo VI SOh~
tinued scantiness OF compensation
have been unable, even by affecting
economy, to accumulate means
against the necessities Of rainy
day." from which their only relief
would have been beneath the sod
and the signing winds OF the city of
the dead.
But now comes the robust person
of forty-six who entered the civil
service as a messenger, not qualified
even now to reader the service of the
classes that fequire superior ability,
with the advantages of the higher
by the most capable clerks now re-
tired, and the assurance of a reason
able annuity at a reasonable time,
and in disregard of the fact that the
civil service is neither a nursery nor
preparatory institution. He de-
mands that from the fund provided
for the relief of those now incapaci-
tated and in need he be paid a larger
annuity than retired clerks or the
lower salaried employees yet In serv-
ice can receive. declaring q right
thereto because Of the larger amount
er salary than that deducted from
the smaller salary of his equally
capable associate, for the n1ainte-
nance OF the retirement fund.
4 + i X
Does it not appear that In all cases
wherein clerical duties have been
similar and clerical abilities equal,
but compensation unequal. equity and
Justice would require payment Of the
larger annuities, If any, to the en-
pIoyes who received the smaller sal
aries, as q slight compensation for
the injustice Of the inferior condition
endured BY them in the service? Or
are the friends of the annuities i'm
pressed by the argument that the
vigorous gentleman who has con-
tributed percentages totaling $13o for
the retirement fuAA il worthy Of ply