Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-12
MERIT TO GOVERN
RETIREMENT CASES
Treasury to Keep U. S. Vet
Grams Past Age Limit if
Records Are Good.

Interpreting the new retirement
act. the Treasury Department has
lifted it's former restriction which
caused automatic dismissal of all
persons at the age of 80, and is now
handling the cases for retirement
ION their merits without regard to
the age of the employe."
This opens up prospect of much
more liberal treatment of Federal
employees under the new retirement
act than was possible under the act
Of 1920, and has been greeted with
enthusiasm and appreciation by EN-
ployes of this largest department of
the Government.
Differs With McCarl Ruling.
The act of the Treasury is also
in marked contrast to n decision just
handed down by Controller General
McCarl based on the old retirement
act, in which he ruled that under it's
terms persons who were to have re-
tired at 65 in their first employment
could not be re-employed in a posi-
ton the retirement age of which is
70 years. Some departments are
understood still to be dismissing
summarily at 70 years Of age.
The Treasury's decision was made
known to the heads Of all bureaus
and chiefs of divisions by a letter by
Acting Secretary Winston. He re-
ferred to the former regulations
which provided that no employe
NAV be retained after reaching the
eightieth birthday" and ordered that
this be modified in view of the new
retirement act.
Mr.. Winston quoted literally from
the new retirement act pointing out
that the legislation provides among
other things when an employe ap-
plies for continuation of his civil
service status and employment, that
much information should be de
veloped as to his efficiency. Then the
law says:
Should such information show
that the applicant has been efficient
and competent during the two years
next preceding his application for
continuance in the civil service. the
head of the department, branch or
Independent office of the Governme mt
concerned shall, as of course certify
to the United States Civil Service
Commission that by reason of the
efficiency and willingness of such ap.
plicant to remain in the civil service
of the United States, the continuance
of such employe would be advanta-
geous to the public service"
Merit Only to Count.
Accordingly, the letter from Mr..
Winston continued, lin future all
cases of retirement or retention in
the service of persons who have
reached the retirement age will be
treated on their merits without re-
gard to the age Of the employee"
AS a contrast to this position taken
by the Treasury, it is known that
some other departments and estab-
lishments of the Government have
continued the practice of dismissing
employees under earlier ages than the
former limit of 80 set by the Treasury.
AS matter of fact. 1t was learned
today, the Treasury has been able to
obtain the services of some able Gov
ernment servants who have been
turned out of other branches of the
service. The Treasury, by it's latest
Interpretation, is thus not only open.
ing the roadway of hope to all in the
Government service for retention so
long as they are efficient, but is bene-
filing itself by getting valuable Der.
sonnel cast off elsewhere.